Tobago Cays / Mayreau

The Tobago Cays are five small, uninhabited islands (Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac and Jamesby) protected within the Tobago Cays Marine Park, sitting on a shallow reef bank alongside Horseshoe Reef, close to the tiny island of Mayreau. These boat-accessible spots are reached from Union Island (JT Pro Center runs guided excursions) and reward advanced riders with open flat water and stunning reef-and-sandbar scenery.

advancedfreerideflat water

titled 'Tobago Cays Rainbow', 575m — FishSpeaker / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

titled 'Tobago Cays Sunset Panorama', 575m — FishSpeaker / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

aerial view of Tobago Cays with Petit Rameau/Baradal — Stefan Schäfer, Lich / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Tobago Cays photo — madmack66 / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Wind

best months	Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
season notes	Same Caribbean trade-wind season as Union Island; reached via guided boat excursion rather than as a self-drive spot.
avg knots	15-25
wind name	Caribbean trade wind
direction to shore	cross-shore
quality	steady
typical kite sizes	9-12m

Water

type	flat water over a shallow reef bank, with seagrass and coral
temp summer c	28
temp winter c	27
wetsuit	boardshorts year-round

Levels

beginner	no
intermediate	yes
advanced	yes
notes	Boat-accessible and reef-strewn - best suited to confident, boat-supported riders rather than independent beginners.

Launch & crowd

description	Accessed by boat excursion from Union Island (about 40 minutes by water taxi); no independent land-based launch infrastructure.
rescue	boat-supported via guided excursion operators
busy months	Dec Jan Feb Mar
vibe	postcard-pretty marine park shared with sailors, snorkelers and cruise-ship day-trippers

Hazards

coral reef and seagrass beds - avoid contact
protected marine park - navigation restrictions
busy with yacht traffic (thousands of visiting boats annually)

Rules

Tobago Cays Marine Park - a protected area with marine park fees and conservation rules

Tips

go as a guided excursion from JT Pro Center on Union Island rather than trying to arrange independent access

Travel basics

airport	UNI - Union Island International
getting there	boat excursion from Union Island (Clifton harbour)
accommodation	stay on Union Island, visit as a day excursion
cost level	high
no wind	snorkeling with sea turtles, sailing, visiting Mayreau's Saltwhistle Bay

Nearby: Union Island

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org