| |
|
|
|
|
| Gulf
of Paria, Venezuela by boat |
| Orinoco
Delta |
| Wiki travel
Forums |
|
Chag by world66 |
|
wikitravel/TnT |
| Gulf
of Paria, Venezuela by boat |
| Help others navigate the Gulf of Paria by
posting your insights to Captain wiki |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| One
Entry to 10 Caribbean Nations |
| As of March
2007 [Cricket
World Cup] visitors to 10
West-Indian countries, once they have cleared
Immigration & Customs at their first port of entry,
will be free to travel to and within all of the
other nine countries as if they were a single
nation. It is not clear if this will improve
the situation for boaters |
Official Tourist
contact:e
--- Antigua Tourist Board 268-462-0480
antigua-
barbuda.org
--- Barbados Tourism Authority 246-427-2623
barbados.org
--- National Development Corporation
(Dominica) 767-448-2045
dominica.dm
--- Grenada Board of Tourism 473-440-2279
grenada
grenadines.com
--- Guyana Tourism Authority
011-592-223-6351 /6352
guyana-tourism.com
--- Jamaica Tourist Board 876-929-9200/19
visitjamaica.com
--- St. Kitts Tourist Board869-465-4040
stkittstourism.kn
--- St. Lucia Tourist Board 758-452-4094
stlucia.org
--- Ministry of Tourism (St. Vincent)
784-457-1502
svgtourism.com
--- Trinidad & Tobago Tourism Development
Company 868-675-7035
visittnt.com |
|
|
The offshore islands of the
Chaguaramas Peninsula are an increasingly popular relaxation and
recreation spot. While there is no end to recreation options within Chaguaramas
with kayaking, mountain biking, hiking trails through
the forest, a 9-hole golf course, bird-watching and
other eco-tourism activities, this is a guide for those who seek
adventure on boats.
At both ends of the channel of the
Gulf of Paria, Christopher Columbus in 1498 on his third voyage of
cataclysmic change was nearly shipwrecked. Because these passages
were so dangerous he called them Boca del
Sierpe (serpent's mouth) and
the 19-km-wide
Boca del Drago (dragon's mouth).
Venezuela's Orinco Delta delta is visible from the shores of Trinidad but few
visitors have ever touched its shores. Ecologically it is one of the richest in
the world and increasingly exploited as well. The lack on visitor infrastructure
means you are assured a memorable adventure.
|
Charters |
| It is possible for visitors to find charters regardless of
their sailing experience. The types of boat charters available at
most charter companies are bareboats, skippered charters, and crewed
charters. While most
experienced sailors will want to charter a bareboat,
in Trinidad and Tobago it is difficult to find anyone who will rent you
a bareboat or even a sailboat with a skipper. This means doing the great
adventure across the Gulf of Paria and up Venezuela's Orinoco remains
out of reach except for boat owners and those who have chartered their
boats elsewhere. [Find
a list here] As the world continues to grow smaller and Chaguaramas
expands this will likely change. There is a large fleet of
sports fishing charters
available who may be open to a proposal. We've
compiled two sets of trip reports departing here
on this page as well as
Columbus Bay at the
southern tip of Trinidad or serpent's mouth
There is a lot of interest in boat
trips between Trinidad and Venezuela on the internet but not any good
viable options as of 2007. We suggest you use CaptainWiki to add
any good information you find including charter options. You will also
find an extensive amount of information we have put together in our
www.carnaval.com/venezuela
section
While crewed charters out of
Chaguaramas crossing the Gulf with your own cook and skipper
where the captain will ultimately make all the decisions,
including safety calls like weather and obstacles that may cause changes
in itinerary is a great concept, it is also too expensive for most of us.
The gulf cities of Macuro and Guiria have petitioned the government of
Hugo Chavez for a large tourist boat but only time will tell.
|
|
Islands |
 |
There are five Islands
or Las Cotorras (The Parrots, as the Spaniards called them) associated
with Chaguaramas.
|
We go'
in down the islands |
For many years the only people found in the Bocas were pirates who lurked on the south of Gasparee, awaiting the
traders who sailed to Venezuela. The islands are separated from one
another by the narrow channels called Bocas del Dragon or Dragon’s
Mouth.
These islands in
colonial days supported a flourishing whaling industry, coconut
plantations and small communities of fishermen The remnants of permanent
settlements are now one of Trinidad's last remaining group of French
patois speakers.
|
Gasparee Island |
Gasparee Island (Gaspar
Grande) is one square mile and lies three miles off the western
point of Trinidad. Land at Point Baleine, which at the turn of the
century thrived as a whaling station as this small marina that offers long-term
storage and day-use from Trinidad. There is a small anchorage on the
other side of the island at Winn's bay with a hotel
Gasparee Caves a fascinating network of underground caves, tales tell
that they were used by pirates to stash their treasure. A subterranean
system about 90 feet deep and a 1/2 acre in size, comprising of
geological formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, flow stones,
fringed curtains and a pool 30 feet in diameter. A 25-mintue walk across
Gaspar Grande
leads to World War II cannons mounted to defend the bay.
GETTING THERE: Crews Inn Marina, sometimes offers a
20-minute boat ride will transport you to the island's main docking,
Point Balaene, once a whaling station. From here, a
20-minute walk through dense woods will deliver you to the entrance to
the
Blue Grotto cavern which has a crystal clear tidal pool at the
bottom. Here you hire a guide, lace up your hiking boots, and set
off to spelunker the spectacular site.
Tour guide and entrance fee to the caves TT$10 (children TT$5). Open 9
a.m. to 2.30 p.m. weekdays and to 3 p.m. weekends. Tel. 634�4364
(Chaguaramas Development Authority). |
|
Chacachacare Island -Leper's Island |
Chacachacare Island was named Chacachacare by Amerindians
| Historic Chacachacare Island
|
|
Trinidad's far west |
|
The first white man to set
foot on the island was Christopher Columbus himself in 1498.
He stayed close to shore when his crew was attacked by wild monkeys.
Geraldine Carige, an Irishman, was awarded the island by the
King of Spain in 1771 and he grew tobacco and cotton estate and
hunted whales in the Gulf of Paria.The island played a small part
in Venezuela's independence war in 1813, when a small band of exiles
- including famous names such as Santiago Marino, Dona Maria
Concepcion and Francisco Bermudez - launched boats from
there en route to their revolution
in Venezuela, a mere four (4) miles away.
The future of the island is unknown, in 1999 when U.S. real
estate magnate Donald Trump visited Trinidad as part of the
Miss Universe contest, there were reports of plans for a
Chacachacare gambling casino but this talk has long since ceased. |
who
lived there. It is 10 miles long (15 kilometers) two miles wide at its
widest and five miles off the coast. It is possible for visitors to explore
the remains of the leprosy colony which was only abandoned by the nuns that
ran it in the 1980's. The main building, church and many other wooden
building are slowly being reclaimed by the jungle.
This 900 acre island comprises of eight
beaches, a light house, a saltwater pond and dramatic cliffs. Cachacacare Island has good
anchorage at Cachacacare Bay and La Tinta Bay on the west
side. If you land at Chapelle Bay there's a leisurely walk to the
Salt Pond with lovely views of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Paria. The Salt
Pond made up of hypersaline water, and has marshy fringes which promote the
growth of peculiar trees like the campecho - the bread and cheese tree.
Chacachacare Lighthouse: Landing by boat at Perruquier Bay,
the walk to the lighthouse takes you to the highest point on the island, 818
meters. Built in 1896, the small wooden lighthouse - which is still working. |
Monos Island is popular for holiday homes and has two landings at
Morris Bay and Grand Fond Bay. One of the five islands-Nelson
Island - is a prison.
|
| |
Port of Spain/Chaguaramas by Sea
|
Diego Martin |
Diego Martin
is a town in northwestern
Trinidad , just west of the capital Port of Spain and east of Carenage .
It is a densely populated area nestled in a valley of the Northern Range
. It was named after a Spanish explorer Don Diego Martín. It consists
of a cluster of villages including Congo Village, Diamond Vale, Green Hill, Patna Village,
Petit Valley, La Puerta, Rich Plain, River Estate and Sierra Leone.
The Saddle Circular Route
a humped pass on a ridge dividing the Maraval and the Santa Cruz
valleys. Along this circular run, you'll see luxuriant grapefruit,
papaya, cassava, and cocoa trees. Leaving Port-of-Spain by Saddle Road,
going past the Trinidad Country Club, you pass through Maraval
Village and St. Andrew's Golf Course. The road rises to cross the
ridge at the spot from which the Saddle gets its name. After going over the
hump, you descend through Santa Cruz Valley (rich with giant bamboo),
into San Juan, and back to the capital along Eastern Main Road or
Beetham Highway. You'll see panoramic views in every direction; the 29km
(18-mile) tour takes about 2 hours.
Blue Basin Falls:
The name is given to a
picturesque waterfall and pool in the Diego Martin River.
The pool is surrounded by luxuriant
tropical vegetation and is situated to the north of Diego Martin
village. It is about nine (9) miles from
Port-of-Spain, and can best be reached by nine (9) miles drive, followed
by a (5) minute walk along a bridle path.
http://trinidaddreamscape.net/waterfalls.shtml
http://visittnt.com/todo/Eco/guide/waterfalls-trinidad.htm
Edith Waterfall:
trail takes you through a
tonka bean plantation, exotic rain 
forest, bamboo clusters, colourful flora, red heliconias, rubber trees and
fishtail palms. If it's wet you'll probably hear the red howler monkeys.
Edith Falls plunge 180 metres into a shallow pool. The
COVIGNE NUTMEG VALE Tucker Valley Road to Samaan Park where
the majestic, mushroom-like trees have stood for over 200 years. This is the
entrance to the Covigne Valley where you can walk and picnic amongst nutmeg
groves
River Estate Water Wheel
A monument to the old days when sugar estates prevailed and massive water
wheels supplied their energy. This wheel, at the far end of the Diego Martin
valley, is part of a restored estate house and museum, with picnic
facilities.
North Post Marine Radio Station: On a ridge of the
Northern Range above Diego Martin, this spot offers extraordinary ocean and
north coast views. |
| |
Within the Gulf of Paria there are 4 yacht
facilities in addition to Chaguaramas:
- Trinidad
and Tobago Yacht Club
Port of Spain -a commercial
port where yachters only stop during times of emergency
Pointe a Pierre -a commercial port also -Pointe a Pierre
Yacht Club
Point Lisas- a commercial port
San Fernando
On the North Coast it is possible to do anchorages
depending on northern swells and Northeast winds and prior permission
from TnT Custom & Excise Dept. at
- La Vache Bay,
- Maracas Bay,
- Las Cuevas,
- Grand Riviere
Those making the trip to Venezuela often anchorage
overnight deepsouth at
Tobago is more than a day's trip and a struggle against wind
and current. In Tobago the main sheltered marina is Scarborough.
However you are expected to first go to the Charlottesville
port, which has protected anchorage for clearance. In addition there is Bon Accord Lagoon but it's capacity is
limited environmentally. There are proposals for creating a man-made
yachting facility on Tobago but according to the above report no plans.
Popular anchorages include:
- Store Bay
- Pigeon Point
- Bon Accord Lagoon [hurricane only]
- Buccoo Bay
- North Coast- many popular bays including Mt. Irvine,
Grafton Beach, Great Courland Bay, Castara Bay, Englishman's Bay
and Parlatuvier Bay
- Man O War Bay/Charlottesville - official port of entry
- East & South Coast Just east of Speyside is
Anse Bateau which is only place on East coast that sell yacht
fuel and best anchorage. King's Bay is the last place before
Scarborough
|
|
| |
| More studies
to be included |
|
Future Plans for Chauaramas |
|
Chaguaramas, as the best piece of undeveloped real estate in
Trinidad as well as a much loved National Park is a paradox for the
planning bureaucracy. The editorial in the Dec-2006 edition of the
Chaguaramas publication of record laments the lack of progress for
movement on any of the points in this report 21 months later.
The exodus of yachts from Venezuela, the 2000 & 2002 oil spills, the
lack of any significant charter boat companies to be based in TnT,
and new nearby harbor competition has the government doing studies
of
infrastructure improvements.
tradeind.gov.tt/YICS.htm
Among the more
interesting ideas was in 1999 the 900-acre, attendant island
of Chacachacare, which Government was proposed to U.S. business
magnate and co-owner of the Miss America pageant, Donald Trump for possible development of a casino resort who
was in town as part of the Miss Universe pageant. There is also
pressure to build housing in the well located suburb of
Port-of-Spain, particularly Tucker Valley. [ see
Save Tucker Valley]
For the most part the government has mostly
floated investment potentials without a lot of follow-through. The
patient approach favors studies over proactive measures of
attracting investment and has frustrated the local yachting
community who whose calls for more police protection have only
minimally been acknowledged in the reports much less acted upon in
the present.
Locals also are quick to point out that
development and conservation of a much loved National Park are
conflicting goals and there are more appropriate places for
non-maritime related uses.
The Chaguaramas has everything going for it and "the investor's
imagination is the only limit."
2001
interim gov report
"Given the level of interaction between Port of
Spain, Point Lisas, and Point Fortin it recommended the
reintroduction of a ferry system along the western coast with a view
to accessing the Venezuelan/South American market."
From
a 1995 San Fernando Chamber Report |
| Golf Course |
|
The Chaguaramas
Golf Course is located at the base of Edith Falls, a spectacular
and dramatic three fingered water fall that is a dramatic landmark in the
rainy season (June - December).
The golf course was built by American servicemen during their occupation of
the Chaguaramas peninsula in World War II. Built on 39 hectares, this unique
Par 67, 5,646-yard golf course has nine holes and 18 T Boxes tucked away in
alcoves of towering bamboo. The greens are generally small, well protected
and can be tricky targets, but they are true and well maintained.fairway The
course, from the second to the sixth hole, was built on Macqueripe Estate
Tonka bean plantation.
Chaguramas Golf Course by TrinidadAnd
Tobagogolf
Association.com [9 holes]
Bellerand Road
Chaguaramas 868-634-4349 |
|
| |
|
power-tacking 33 miles, which because of the current translated
into 47 miles through the water. It was a bone-shaking day,
rough and bouncy through thick brown water. We had a dispiriting
choice of unpleasant waves where the current was less strong, or
smooth water among fishing boats, but right into the wind and
the worst of the current, so we just tacked back and forth and
partook of both.
