Dive Review of Manta Lodge/Tobago Dive Experience in
Trinidad and Tobago/Speyside

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Manta Lodge/Tobago Dive Experience, Apr, 2014, by Eric Schindler, AZ, US ( Contributor 16 reports with 19 Helpful votes). Report 7582 has 1 Helpful vote.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Diving in Tobago doesn't fit into any of the usual patterns of a Caribbean land based operation. We were there over busy Easter period and had less than six divers on each dive. Sean Robinson, owner of the dive shop and the Manta Lodge is a legend in the sport, and a well known figure/character? in the town. Posted times for dives...and meals are just suggestions and none of the usual regimented structure of dive trips occurs. You learn to relax and take the day as it evolves. Food and lodging are fine - this is a Caribbean dive vacation how it used to be - clean bed, aging lodge, honor system bar for beers and perfect for land based diving of 3-5 days. So, how is the diving in this neck of the woods? Reefs are in unusually good shape for the Caribbean, and there is still color and fish to some degree. Prepare for currents (drift diving is the norm), surge, swells and excellent visibility (over 100 feet except for one dive close to shore when dropped to 30). We never were able to get to the more advanced, signature, farther offshore sites due to ocean conditions, but this is not uncommon; conditions are said to be calmer in summer. Our dive master had been there three years and only caught a glimpse of hammerheads once, to give you perspective. Speyside is at the end of the island and I recommend renting a car to give you freedom to explore the island in the afternoons. Best restaurant is Jemma's Tree House - don't miss it!. We checked out Blue Waters for a drink, and ate at Frank's Bird Watch café as well, but food at Manta Lodge was where we ate most of our meals. We spent the last day exploring Trinidad and recommend Asa Wright Nature Center
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	501-1000 dives
Where else diving	Palau, Indonesia, Maldives, Various Caribbean, Mexico, etc
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy, dry	Seas	choppy, surge, currents
Water Temp	77-80°F / 25-27°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	30-120 Ft/ 9-37 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	Dive safe, smart, and within limits. Guide will ascend with you when you are ready
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	We are not photographers. Dive boat is reasonably spacious, and no dedicated camera space, but able to handle a couple of cameras/equipment without problem

Report currently has 1 Helpful vote

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Dive Review of Manta Lodge/Tobago Dive Experience in Trinidad and Tobago/Speyside

Manta Lodge/Tobago Dive Experience, Apr, 2014,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Manta Lodge/Tobago Dive Experience in
Trinidad and Tobago/Speyside