Hermitage reef lies along the eastern side of Man-O-War Bay, Charlotteville, adjacent to Hermitage Bay. With no coastal development nearby, this coral reef is home to the endangered branching Elkhorn corals in the shallows. Farther down the reef slope, giant mountain star coral colonies extend from 7 m to 15 m in depth, creating underwater structures for numerous marine creatures.
HERMITAGE REEF, TOBAGO
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Mt Irvine Bay is a popular spot for surfing and diving in southwest Tobago. Mt Irvine reef, also known as the Flying Dutchman, extends out to the eastern headland. This fringing reef transitions from soft coral to hard coral as you move out from the bay. The back end of Mt Irvine reef is Mt Irvine Wall, which has a few swim throughs and overhangs where schools of fish hang out.
Iguana Bay is located north of Charlotteville and can only be accessed by boat. Although there are coral communities, there is little structure, likely because of the exposed wave environment. It is home to some colonies of the incredible rare Acropora cervicornis.
Pirates Bay reefs consist of two small patch reefs located on either side of Pirates Bay in Man-O-War Bay, Charlotteville. This shallow coral community grows over sunken rocks. The reef is home to encrusting fire coral and hard corals, numerous long-spined sea urchins and sea rods. Many reef fish and juvenile marine turtles visit these reefs.
The reef fringes the eastern margins of Castara Bay extending from Heavenly Bay out of the bay. Castara reef is a popular for snorkelling with the rare branching Elkhorn corals close to the rocks. For divers, the reef is dominant in soft coral plumes that make perfect hiding spots for juvenile turtles.
Booby Island is located within the sheltered Man-O-War Bay at Charlotteville in northeast Tobago. It is named after the Brown Boobies that inhabit the rock. On one side a gently sloping reef dominant in sea plumes and corals connects the island to the mainland at Lover’s Bay; on the other side, divers can explore the submerged rock walls of the island.
Located north of Charlotteville, this island is a bird sanctuary and home to a number of nesting species, including the Magnificent Frigatebird and the Brown Booby. Coral reefs surrounding St Giles are exposed to high currents that form reefs dominant in brain corals that cover the shallow areas.