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For
the Surfer: Just
2 km away is the popular Mt. Irvine Bay with its coral surfing
reef visited by surfers from all over the world. The best
surfing conditions usually occure in the months of January to
April. For
the Swimmer and Snorkeler: Just 500 metres along the
beautiful sandy beach opposite the house there is excellent,
safe swimming available that is suitable for young and old
alike. However, since this beach and sea water is within a
coral lagoon with a fine, sandy beach slepp inside the reef,
the water is a little cloudy or "milky" for
snorkelling. Great snorkelling can be enjoyed at many
locations along the Caribbean coast, but locally, again at Mt.
Irvine, excellent snorkelling is available around the two
reefs surrounding this bay. Glas-bottomed boat trip may be
booked right outside our house and these depart from the jetty
just 200 metres away. These trips provide a snorkelling
session over the Buccoo reef itself. For great accompanied,
personal snorkelling trips for 2-4 persons around the best
areas of the reef and coral gardens at an amazingly low cost,
a local boat owner, who is both a fisherman and a diver, may
be contacted. For
the Fisherman: Very good fishing for Ladyfish, Kavali,
Snook, Snapper and Tarpon is just 200 metres away on either of
the village jetties or from the beach all around Buccoo Bay
... it is free!!! Exciting inshore fishing around the local
area for primarily barracuda, kingfish and bonito can be
arranged at every reasonable cost right opposite our house
with one of the local fishermen, well known to us. Deep sea
game fishing may be booked with one of the larger professional
boats located within 8 km. For
the Birdwatcher and Naturalist: The trees in our garden
have regular colourful birds visiting for fruits and titbits!!
However, just 300 metres away from our house is the start of
the well known Buccoo marsh with its many varieties of insects
and birds. A little further away but still within walking
distance, a trail leads to Buccoo pond, a wonderful freshwater
habitat of scrub, secondary growth, forest, marsh, mangroves
and the pools themselves. This mixed habitat is home to
lizards, iguanas, crabs, snakes (harmless!) and many species
of breeding and migratory birds, making it the primary lowland
bird watching area of Tobago. A frequent visitor to our house
has recorded 114 species of birds from the Buccoo area.Only
some 3 km away is the Grafton Sanctuary (free admission, just
leave a small donation in the box) where large numbers of wild
birds (including up to 200 Cocricos) are fed at 8 am and 4 pm
daily. Here there are also several trails in this beautiful
place. Most of the upland and woodland species of birds can be
seen here. Sampson, the curator here at Grafton, will take you
for a guided tour on request for only a very small fee. |
