Tobago Cays Marine Park Guide
The Tobago Cays are beautiful because they are protected. The Marine Park is not just a postcard; it is a living reef, turtle feeding ground, bird habitat, seagrass meadow, anchorage, and day-trip destination that needs careful visitors.
The Five Cays
The five cays, in plain terms.
The cays are uninhabited. Their value is in the reef, beaches, dry forest, seabirds, turtles, iguanas, seagrass, and the clear lagoon between them. Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau are the larger inner cays, Baradal is known for the turtle sanctuary, Jamesby is small and photogenic, and Petit Tabac sits outside the main reef to the east.
Mayreau nearby is inhabited. Union Island is the main local base for many boat operators, transfers, accommodation, and practical visitor services.
Park History
How the Marine Park became protected.
The Fisheries Division designated the area as a conservation area in 1987. The Marine Parks Act followed in 1997, and Marine Park regulations were formally adopted in 1998.
In 1999, St. Vincent and the Grenadines purchased the cays from private ownership with the understanding that they would remain a national park in perpetuity. That history is one reason visitors should treat the place as a shared protected resource, not a disposable day-trip backdrop.
Visitor Rules
The main rules visitors should know.
Do not touch coral. Control fins, buoyancy, cameras, and children around shallow reef.
Do not anchor on coral or seagrass. Use moorings where appropriate or choose sandy areas only.
Do not disturb turtles, nesting or roosting birds, iguanas, or any marine life.
Scuba diving must be done with a registered local dive operator or shop.
Fishing and removing coral or marine life are not allowed inside the park.
Do not buy lobster out of season. The posted closed period is May 1 to August 31.
Fees & Official Checks
Park fees and payment links.
The official online payment page currently lists a park entry fee per person for a 24-hour stay and a separate 24-hour mooring or anchoring fee for boats. The exact fee category can depend on how you visit, so use the Marine Park office or official payment page for final confirmation.
Local operators usually explain park fees during booking. Yacht crews should not rely on old cruising notes alone; rules and zones can change.
Not the Official Park Authority
Use this guide, then confirm with the park.
Because regulations, fees, weather guidance, and recovery notices can change, always confirm final park information with the Tobago Cays Marine Park, your licensed captain, or your registered dive shop before entering the park.
Good to Know
Quick answers.
What islands are in the Tobago Cays?
The five cays are Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Jamesby, and Petit Tabac.
What is Horseshoe Reef?
Horseshoe Reef is the reef system that curves around four of the Tobago Cays and helps create the shallow lagoon.
Are there rules in the Marine Park?
Yes. Key rules include no touching coral, no fishing, no taking marine life, no anchoring on coral or seagrass, and using registered local dive operators for scuba.
When is lobster out of season?
The Tobago Cays Marine Park regulations say not to buy lobster out of season from May 1 to August 31.