Grafton Beach Resort

Overview

Grafton Beach Resort is set on a five acre hillside plot on the palm-fringed stretch of beach known as Stonehaven Bay. With a range of facilities including dive centre on site, this resort boasts a beautiful location and is sure to become a favourite with Regaldive guests.

Accommodation

The resort comprises 104 recently upgraded air-conditioned rooms offering garden or ocean views. The rooms are decorated in a Caribbean-style and have a choice of twin double beds or one king size bed, ensuite bath / shower, ceiling fans, flat screen TV, mini fridge, safe, hairdryer and a balcony or terrace. Families are well catered for at this resort and 37 of the rooms are interconnecting. Maximum occupancy per room is three adults or two adults and two children.

Other Facilities

The Oceanview Restaurant serves a combination of international and local cuisine with buffet and a la carte options. Neptune’s Grill serves table d'hôte dinner menus on selected nights in the week from a lovely poolside setting. Casual dining and snacks are available on the beach from Buccaneer’s Beach Bar & Grill. In addition to the beach and pool bars, the main Bougainvillea Bar is situated in the lobby and open from morning until midnight. Evening entertainment is offered on selected nights including steel band, limbo and calypso.

Grafton Beach Resort has a freshwater swimming pool with swim-up bar and a children’s pool. There is also a games room on site, shopping arcade and two air-conditioned squash courts. Guests staying at this resort are also able to use the tennis courts, gym, fitness centre and spa facilities at the neighbouring Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort. Non-motorised watersports are available at the beach.

Location

Grafton Beach Resort is situated on Stonehaven Bay in the Black Rock area of the Caribbean coast. The resort is about 15 minutes’ drive from both Crown Point International Airport and Scarborough, the capital of Tobago. Divers with pre-booked dive packages will be diving with Undersea Tobago, who offer a courtesy transfer to their dive centre and jetty, which is only 15 minutes away, at Coco Reef Resort. 

Dive info

Tobago’s diving has a deserved reputation for enormous brain corals and thrilling drift dives. Mixed with the warmer Gulf Stream, the Guyana current flows along the island’s Atlantic coast from Speyside at the north eastern end all the way down to Sandy Point in the south west of Tobago, providing some of the most spectacular drift dives in the Caribbean.

The current, whilst lowering the visibility slightly but provides lots of nutrients to an impressive array of species including barracuda, jacks, tunas, tarpons, different type of sharks, rays including mantas and turtles.

By contrast the marine life on the Caribbean coast benefits from cooler water temperatures, less current and wind. Sheltered reefs of hard and soft corals, colourful sponges and a thriving fish population make diving the Caribbean coast a rewarding experience, regardless of your level of experience. This coast also boasts Tobago’s finest wreck, the Maverick, a former car ferry that was intentionally sunk in 1997 and lies in 30m.

Many of the best dives are fringing reefs along the coastline and around rocks that have become partly or wholly encrusted with sponge, fan and coral. The Sisters lie a few miles off the Caribbean north coast. Underwater, these rocky outcrops plunge to over 40 metres and have been known to attract exciting species such as manta rays and rarely even scalloped hammerheads.

Caribbean Coast Diving

The majority of dive sites off the Caribbean coast are not exposed to the currents that typify the diving off the Atlantic shoreline. Divers staying at the Southern end of the island around Crown Point / Black Rock can dive on Caribbean coast dive sites, the Maverick, the Sisters and a few Atlantic coast drift dives. Over the summer months the influx of warm water from the Orinoco River raises water temperatures. This can lead to the appearance of suspended particles in the sea, reducing visibility, but in turn attracting large numbers of fish.

The conditions on the Caribbean coast and southern Atlantic Ocean are moderate all year round and offer perfect conditions for both training, less experienced divers and divers wishing to concentrate on their photography. The diving on the southern end of the Atlantic Ocean (Columbus Channel) offers a bit of current on a shallow fringing reefs with lots of sponges and fan corals. This is good for novice and intermediate divers. Big stingrays and nurse sharks are frequently seen there. One of the most popular dive sites on the Caribbean Sea is the Maverick wreck. This is a former car ferry, which has been resting for more than 20 years in 30m depth near Mt. Irvine Bay.

Speyside Diving

Speyside is a small village located at the remote Northern end of Tobago facing on to the Atlantic coast. The concentration of over twenty excellent dive sites just a few minutes boat ride from Speyside made Tobago’s reputation as a dive destination. Kelleston Drain is one of Speyside’s most renowned dives, home to the largest Brain Coral colony in the Caribbean. Measuring 3m in height and 5.3m across, the Brain Coral marks the culmination of a beautiful drift dive. Other dive sites like Japanese Garden, Runway, Black Jack Hole and Cathedral boast a rich, pristine underwater fauna which is hardly seen anywhere else in the Caribbean. The nearby wreck "Round Table," a former tug boat at a depth of 30m, waits to be explored by adventurous divers. Due to seasonal weather changes some of the Speyside dive sites can be exposed to strong currents making them more suitable for experienced divers.

twin centre - ideal option

Tobago offers year round diving on an excellent range of dive sites that will satisfy both novice and experienced divers. A twin centre holiday that covers both Speyside and Crown Point / Black Rock is easily arranged and has always proved very popular with Regaldive guests.

Dive prices

Although Tobago is just 25 miles in length, local geography make it impractical to stay in a Crown Point hotel and carry out regular day dives in the Speyside area, although local day trips may be available. Twin centre stays can also be arranged to make the most of the diving each end of the island has to offer.

Diving in Tobago is offered as boat diving. Dive centres typically use locally designed boats, which offer shaded bench seating and a cylinder rack down the centre of the boat. The boats are fast and manoeuvrable giving swift access to most dive sites. A limited amount of shore diving is available at the Crown Point end.

Tobago South - Crown Point: Guests who are staying at Shepherd's Inn and Grafton Beach Resort will be diving with Undersea Tobago.

Tobago North - Speyside: Guests staying at Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn and Blue Waters Inn dive with Tobago Dive Experience, Speyside

UNDERSEA tobago

Undersea Tobago are located at the Coco Reef Resort in the South West of the island. This is about 5 minutes drive from the lively Crown Point area and 20 minutes from Grafton Beach in the Black Rock area further up the coast. Owned and managed by local husband and wife team of Derek & Evelyn Chung, the PADI resort is long established and has a very experienced dive crew. They offer daily boat diving, departing from resort, off the south of the island and along the Caribbean coast. They offer a full range of PADI courses and provide transfers from your chosen accommodation.

The conditions on the Caribbean coast and southern Atlantic Ocean are moderate all year round and offer perfect conditions for both training, less experienced divers and divers wishing to concentrate on their photography. The diving on the southern end of the Atlantic Ocean (Columbus Channel) offers a bit of current on a shallow fringing reefs with lots of sponges and fan corals. This is good for novice and intermediate divers. Big stingrays and nurse sharks are frequently seen there. One of the most popular dive site on the Caribbean Sea is the Maverick wreck. This is a former car ferry, which has been resting for more than 20 years in 30 meters depth near Mt. Irvine Bay.

Please note that it is possible to do a 2 centre holiday, diving with both Undersea Tobago and Extra Divers. Ideal for those who wish to experience both Caribbean and Atlantic diving.

The dive centre will transfer divers staying at any of the hotels in this area including Shepherd's Inn to where their boats depart.

Dive Packs 

Options available include 3, 4, 5 and 6 days dive packages (2 boat dives per day). Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Supplement are be paid locally for courses and equipment rental.

Tobago Dive Experience

Tobago Dive Experience in Speyside is situated between Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn and Blue Waters Inn. This centre enjoys excellent access to more than 30 dive sites located within a few minutes' boat ride of the dive centre, and many more slightly further. Tobago Dive Experience offer up to 3 daily dives, and a range of excursions to further sites such as St Giles Island, London Bridge and the legendary Sisters of Bloody Bay. Guests are also offered full day excursions to the southern tip of the island, snorkelling trips, and land activities where they can experience the Caribbean dive sites.

DIVE PACKS

Options available with Tobago Dive Experience include 5 and 10 days dive packages (2 boat dives per day). Equipment hire can be prepaid along with your diving pack. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

DIVE COURSES 

All these dive centres offer a range of diving courses for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Resort info

Tobago is one of the smaller Caribbean islands at just 25 miles long and 8 miles wide.  The coastline is largely undeveloped. Crown Point peninsula in the south of the island is the location of the greatest concentration of hotels on Tobago.  Pigeon Point, a headland just to the north of Crown Point, offers a wide selection of daytime water sports activities.  Both of these areas offer a good choice of restaurants and bars. 

Getting Around

Travelling North from Crown Point and Scarborough, the capital, you'll find deserted beaches and secluded fishing villages.  The Northern end of Tobago is given over to mountainous tropical rainforest, which has been under careful conservation for over 200 years.  On the north eastern tip of the island travellers reach Speyside, the home of Tobago’s other fine dive sites.

Speyside also attracts ornithologists from around the world, boasting a number of indigenous bird species. The island has managed to retain much its uncomplicated charm and local costs make it more affordable than many other Caribbean islands.

Please note: There are no local taxis in Speyside as most locals and businesses tend to help each other out. In Speyside, everybody walks! From Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn (where Extra Divers are based), you can walk to the other end of the village in just 10 minutes. From Nabucco's Resort Speyside Inn to Blue Waters Inn, it takes 15 minutes to walk – a really nice route with beautiful views. Car rental is easy to arrange on Tobago should you wish to explore further afield.

Climate

Warm tropical climate tempered by tradewinds.  Average temperature is 29°C with water temperature averaging 27°C. The early months are dry and sunny. Jun - Nov is the wet season but rain falls in short sharp bursts and most days have plenty of sun.

Underwater Visability

Tobago’s nutrient-rich waters generally offer visibility in the range of between 20 metres to 30 metres.  A bad day may see visibility drop to 15 metres.  However, divers can enjoy as a result some of the finest reefs in the Caribbean.

Time

Tobago is -4 hours behind GMT

Currency

Trinidad & Tobago dollar (TTD)

£1 = 8.10 TTD

Activities

The Tobago mountain range has the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere and trips can be organised to appreciate its beauty and diversity.  International tourism is still in its early stages so the experience is a happy mix of local cultures and hotel comforts.  Places to visit include the Buccoo Reef for snorkelling, the Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary, the Botanic Gardens in Scarborough and the wetlands of Bon Accord Lagoon.

Travel info

Flight Information

Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick:  April to October: Sunday / November to March: Tuesday & Saturday.

Regional add-ons available from selected UK airports. Economy, Premium Economy & Upper Class available.

British Airways from Gatwick: Mondays & Thursdays

Regional add-ons available from selected UK airports. World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) & Club World (Business) available.

Transfers: Approximately 10 minutes for Crown Point and 90 minutes for Speyside.

Departure tax: £10 included in the flight cost.

Passports

Passengers travelling to Tobago must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.

Visas

No visa required for British passport holders

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Tobago, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Prices

The price panel above provides an indication of a lead-in price for your holiday, based on the cheapest time to travel. Prices shown are per person, and based on two persons sharing. 

As flight prices vary from day to day, Regaldive will prepare a quotation for you based on current flight prices available. This ensures that you receive the most competitive price for your chosen travel dates. Flights from regional UK airports may be available, depending on your destination and date of travel.

Please call 01353 659999 or e-mail Regaldive, using the link below, for a quotation.

Our Price Promise

At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.

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