The Tobago Cays
An independent Tobago Cays guide: five uninhabited islands, the Marine Park, turtle snorkeling, Horseshoe Reef, Petit Tabac, lobster BBQs in season, yacht moorings, boat trips, and where to stay nearby.
Island Notes
The five Tobago Cays
The Tobago Cays are a small group of uninhabited islands in the Southern Grenadines: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Jamesby, and Petit Tabac. Four sit behind Horseshoe Reef. Petit Tabac sits just outside the main lagoon to the east.
The name Tobago Cays refers to these small, low islands. A cay is an island formed from sand or coral, often on a reef. The spelling FAQ below explains a common mix-up in searches.
Swim in clear water, snorkel above the reef or spend some time on the small beaches. On land, look out for iguanas and seabirds; around Baradal, turtles feed in the seagrass.
History
A quick bit of history.
The Tobago Cays were designated as a conservation area in 1987. In 1997, St. Vincent and the Grenadines created the Marine Parks Act and declared the Cays a marine park.
The state purchased the Cays in 1999 after years of private ownership, with the condition that they remain a national park. Today the park protects reef, seagrass, turtles, birds, beaches, and one of the best-known anchorages in the Grenadines.
Start Here
Choose what you need.
Use these pages to understand the Marine Park, choose the right day trip, snorkel respectfully, plan a yacht stop, or stay nearby on Union Island.
Marine Park
Fees, rules, protected habitats, the five cays, Horseshoe Reef, and how to visit without damaging the place you came to see.
Swimming With Turtles
Where to see turtles at Baradal and how to snorkel around them without disturbing them.
Boat Trips
Day trips, shorter snorkeling outings, Mayreau stops and visits to Petit Tabac when conditions allow.
Planning Notes
Get the practical details right.
Most Tobago Cays plans come down to three choices: how you reach the park, when conditions are best for your group, and whether the Cays are one stop in a wider Southern Grenadines route.
How to Get There
Union Island, Mayreau, sailing charters, private boat days, water taxis, and why there is no road or regular public ferry into the Marine Park.
Best Time to Visit
Trade winds, sea state, school holidays, lobster season, and how to choose a day that works for snorkeling, turtles, and comfort.
Grenadines Island-Hopping
How Tobago Cays fits with Union Island, Mayreau, Canouan, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, and a relaxed island route.
Turtles at Baradal
Swimming with turtles at Baradal
Near Baradal, you can watch turtles feeding over the seagrass and coming up for air. Stay back, float quietly and let them carry on at their own pace.
Do not chase, touch or crowd turtles. Keep your fins clear of coral and leave space for the animals to move and surface, even when taking photos.
Union Island Base
Stay on Union Island, visit the Cays by boat.
Stay on Union Island for nearby accommodation, local restaurants and boat trips to the Cays. You can spend the day in the Marine Park and return to your accommodation in the afternoon.
We can help you book accommodation on Union Island, arrange boat transfers and Tobago Cays excursions, or put you in touch with a local dive shop.
Lunch & Dining in the Cays
Beach BBQ, lobster in season, and time to enjoy it.
Lunch in the Tobago Cays is usually a beach BBQ, a picnic or a meal arranged with a local vendor. Grilled lobster is a favorite when it is in season.
Lobster season runs from September through April; the park rules prohibit buying lobster from May 1 to August 31. Contact us before your trip to reserve a BBQ. Romeo is one of our favorite local vendors.
Snorkel with care while you are there: stay off coral and let your captain choose stops based on light, wind, current, and crowd levels.
Plan the Day
Tell us your dates and what kind of day you want.
Tell us your dates, group size, and preferred pace, and we will suggest the most realistic route, boat style, and timing for the day.
Good to Know
Quick answers.
Where are the Tobago Cays?
The Tobago Cays are in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, in the Southern Grenadines near Union Island and Mayreau.
Can you swim with turtles in the Tobago Cays?
Yes. The Baradal Turtle Sanctuary is one of the best-known places to observe green and hawksbill turtles while snorkeling, but visitors should keep distance and never touch or chase wildlife.
Are the Tobago Cays inhabited?
The five cays are uninhabited. Mayreau nearby is inhabited and Union Island is the main local base for many day trips and private boat transfers.
Can you book a Tobago Cays boat trip from Union Island?
Yes. Private day trips and transfers can be arranged from Union Island, subject to weather, boat availability, park rules, and group size.
Is this the official Tobago Cays Marine Park website?
No. This is an independent visitor guide. Official fees, regulations, and park notices should always be confirmed with the Tobago Cays Marine Park.
Is it Tobago Cays or Tobago Keys?
The correct name is Tobago Cays. Tobago Keys, Tobego Keys and Tobiko Keys are misspellings that sometimes appear in travel searches; they are not alternative names for these islands.