Arnos Vale Bay

About This Anchorage

Arnos Vale Bay is one of Tobago's most scenic anchorages — a beautiful, relatively secluded bay on the Caribbean coast backed by the ruins and grounds of the historic Arnos Vale Estate (now a protected heritage site). The former Arnos Vale Hotel, built into the hillside with panoramic views, has closed but the estate grounds and historic sugar mill ruins remain accessible. The bay has a fringing reef on both sides providing excellent snorkelling — large parrotfish, angelfish, and good coral coverage. Anchor only in the sand central area, clear of the reef edges. The estate is accessible via a path from the beach and offers a fascinating historical walk through colonial-era sugar plantation infrastructure. One of the quieter and more peaceful anchorages on the Caribbean coast.

Hazards

• !Coral patches on bay edges — anchor carefully in central sand; visual inspection essential
• !Exposed to south and west — monitor forecasts for overnight; move if southerly conditions develop
• !No facilities and limited VHF monitoring ashore
• !Estate ruins can be structurally unstable — explore with caution

Skipper's Tips

• →Arnos Vale has some of the best snorkelling on Tobago's Caribbean coast — bring good snorkelling gear
• →The Arnos Vale Estate sugar mill ruins and colonial-era buildings are fascinating — a 30-minute walk from the beach
• →Use this as a quiet lunch stop on passage between Crown Point and Castara — beautiful and usually empty
• →The coral fringing reef has good fish populations — snorkel along the reef edge from the sand anchorage

Nearby Anchorages