Wildlife Watching in the Caribbean

Most people think the Caribbean’s wildlife spectaculars are found only beneath the waves but with more than 7,000 islands, islets, cays and reefs stretching for over 2,500 miles there is just as much life on land especially in Cuba and Hispanola. Conditions vary greatly but the region is typified by forests found at different altitude levels, ranging from dry deciduous forest to mountain cloud forest.

You’ll find amazing bird life such as parrots, boobys, pelicans and frigate birds but most people are drawn to the snorkelling and diving in magical places such as the Tobago Cays ( Above with Star Clippers' Royal Clipper offshore.. The coral life here is simply stunning and the chance to swim with turtles and the incredible shoals of fish numbering in their thousands that lazily split in half to allow you through is unforgettable.

Perhaps the ultimate wildlife experience here is interacting with the giant stingrays off Grand Cayman but now many islands including St Lucia offer wildlife hikes deep into the rain forests. Best time to visit, November to April.

For more details of voyages to the Caribbean follow this link to the Cruise Line.

Tobago Cays

Well here we are again courtesy of Star Cippers From the second your bare feet first touch the white sand of the Tobago Cays you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. With a 1,400 acre sand-bottom lagoon encompassing four uninhabited islands and a 4km aptly named Horseshoe Reef the Cays are recognized as the "jewel in the crown" for marine tourism in the Southern Grenadines. Although the Cays are uninhabited unfortunately this very uniqueness puts them under threat as they are rapidly becoming one of best known and most popular tourist destinations in the region.

Major visitors to the Cays include cruise ships bringing an estimated 10,000 visitors a year as well as small yachts and day charters from nearby resorts and hotels. The local people are not slow to latch on to this and some have set up stalls with the traditionally mass produced tee shirts and hats that you can see anywhere in the Caribbean whilst others offer restaurants and barbecues with lobsters and fish to the visitors.

Yet despite this the Cays have retained their beauty and wonder. A short walk from the beach across the islands brings you to a different world. Here the shallow lagoon offers peace and solitude with Tropical Mockingbirds fluttering about in the trees and it is possible if you are early enough to image you are marooned alone on a desert island. The emerald colours reflected by the shallow water and the reef are simply stunning and this surely must be one of the most beautiful places on earth. Have a great day now.

Tobago Cays

I just can't stay away from the Tobago Cays! Sorry about posting two pics in a row but it is a fabulous place. Have a great day now.

The Tobago Cays and Tourism

I know we looked at the Tobago Cays quite recently but I just love them and hope they can survive. So here they are again. Back to Italy tomorrow as some of you have asked for more murals! Have a great day now.

Tobago Cays

From the second your bare feet first touch the white sand of the Tobago Cays you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. With a 1,400 acre sand-bottom lagoon encompassing four uninhabited islands and a 4km aptly named Horseshoe Reef the Cays are recognized as the "jewel in the crown" for marine tourism in the Southern Grenadines. Although the Cays are uninhabited unfortunately this very uniqueness puts them under threat as they are rapidly becoming one of best known and most popular tourist destinations in the region.

Major visitors to the Cays include cruise ships bringing an estimated 10,000 visitors a year as well as small yachts and day charters from nearby resorts and hotels. The local people are not slow to latch on to this and some have set up stalls with the traditionally mass produced tee shirts and hats that you can see anywhere in the Caribbean whilst others offer restaurants and barbecues with lobsters and fish to the visitors.

Yet despite this the Cays have retained their beauty and wonder. A short walk from the beach across the islands brings you to a different world. Here the shallow lagoon offers peace and solitude with Tropical Mockingbirds fluttering about in the trees and it is possible if you are early enough to image you are marooned alone on a desert island. The emerald colours reflected by the shallow water and the reef are simply stunning and this surely must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.



Tobago Cays

This is Royal Clipper anchored off the Tobago Cays. As it's an awful day in  Northumberland I thought I'd put this on. Have a great day now.