We were very fortunate to spend 3 full days in Tobago Cays, at the edge of the ocean...
Cays are zones with underwater reefs that can be tricky to navigate, but the magic operates when these reefs break the swell and offer some protection. We were moored right there. It wasn't extremely comfortable (we could still feel some of the swell), but it was still amazing.
Bits of Pirates of the Caribbean were shot here in St-Vincent and the Grenadines, and more specifically here in Tobago Cays. This island in the back was the one where Elizabeth and Jack drank (and burnt) the rum in the first movie. Sadly, it was too wavy for a dinghy ride, but we would have loved to check it out!
We still went for a dinghy exploration ride in the t-u-r-q-u-o-i-s-e water to see if we could snorkel by the reef. The underwater scene looked beautiful, but it was swelly over there and the current was building up. Just swimming was challenging so we decided to head back to our moored dinghy. A dive boat waited for us to be back in protected water before starting their activities, kind of them.
We still circled the small island and Marie got trailed most of the way for the other treat of Tobago Cays, the sea turtles - tortugas as we like to call them since we saw our very few first ones in Mexico. No need to go very far. Four of them were feeding under our boat and were a guaranteed sight upon each dive, true paradise!! Marie knew their distinctive signs (like a split "hand") and sizes. We saw up to 8 in a single dive. A real treat, and a truly magical experience. Those buoys mark the limit of the protected area for turtles and we were just at the edge, where they all actually were...
We swam back and forth (and dinghied as well) to the little island next to the turtle area. The vegetation surprisingly looks like we are back to Mexico!
Yet, despite the place being so nice and special, it was a sad period as the big earthquake had just happened in Turkey. Yalçın was following the news day after day as the tragedy unfolded, and it was understandably hard to take his mind to happier places. Making bread was an attempt on his end that succeeded for a short moment, partially because it was as usual very good.
On our last afternoon, we dinghied over to the island of Petit Bateau (little boat in French), hiked to the top (twice!) and were rewarded with gorgeous views.
The reef
We found a path down leading on the lee side of the island, where all the pangas were waiting, including the one of the guide who helped us tie to the mooring.
The sight of that Turkish flag warmed up our hearts, but more than a hommage to the victims of the earthquake, it had likely been given by a Turkish tourist who came here before us... like the many other flags (including a Corsica flag!)
We spotted the barbecue of our first evening (full story in the previous blogpost)
We had a beer...
... on the colorful tables...
... and went a last time on that hike...
... to enjoy a wonderful sunset by Union island
Time to return to our dinghy and start heading back North tomorrow...
February 2o23