Speyside
Trinidad and Tobago · Caribbean
Speyside on Tobago's northeast coast is the country's diving capital — strong Atlantic currents, healthy soft coral, the world's largest brain coral (10m+ across), and reliable manta encounters. The diving is current driven and not beginner friendly.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Brain coral and channel diving. Heat impact has been moderate compared to northern Caribbean.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 33% to 22%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 33% |
| 2024 | 22% |
What you will see
9 species across the dive sites here
Southern stingray
Seen 1 month ago
at Kelleston Drain
Near threatened
Boulder brain coral
Seen 2 months ago
at Kelleston Drain
Vulnerable
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at Japanese Gardens
Critically endangered
Great barracuda
Seen 11 months ago
at Japanese Gardens
Least concern
Ocean triggerfish
Seen Feb 2025
at Kelleston Drain
Least concern
Caribbean reef shark
Seen year round
at Kelleston Drain
Endangered
Nurse shark
Seen year round
at Kelleston Drain
Vulnerable
Tarpon
Seen year round
at Kelleston Drain
Vulnerable
Manta ray
Seasonal visitor
at Kelleston Drain
Endangered
Dive sites
What divers say
Strongest current I've drifted in the Caribbean. Mantas hover into it; we just blew past.
Good to know
Atlantic side
Conditions can be rough; trips cancel for swell.