Tobago Cays - Petit Rameau
09 May 2024 | Tobago Cays, Grenadines
Donna Cariss
On arrival at Petit Rameau we had a choice of a couple of buoys but the one nearest the south island was quite close to a yacht at anchor, so we took the buoy close to the north island. We realised that Nigel and Veronica were still here but on the other side of the little island, so we paid them a quick visit in the dinghy, getting very wet from the chop on the way. They were leaving at lunchtime, so we didn't stay long but it was good to see them again. They were on a buoy right next to the area buoyed off for snorkelling with the turtles and there must have been 40 boats there. They said there had only been 3 of them on their first night. They told us the beach barbecue was fantastic and not to be missed. Back in Young Island Cut, Mousey had told us to use his father, boat name Desperado, for the barbecue and we spoke to him as we returned to the boat, along with Captain Kojak, who also wanted our business. We had food for that night so would book the BBQ for the following evening. Having paid 90 EC to the park warden, 60 for the buoy and 15 each for park fees, we went ashore for a beer in the barbecue area and a walk through to the other side of the small island, a distance of about 200 metres. We met Captain Neil, also related to Mousey and Desperado, a family affair. Back on board, a 60 foot catamaran came to take the buoy right behind us, which would have been dangerous as the boats were all swinging differently in the current. Pete managed to put them off and they anchored further away. It was a windy night and a bit rock and roll on board.
During the night, a catamaran moored up, stern to, on the buoy behind us but it was smaller and it left quite early to move to a buoy on the other side of the island. With several boats having left, we moved to the buoy closer to the southern island where we could get to the barbecue without getting too wet. We snorkelled on the reef around the island. There were a few more living sea fans and soft corals than other places and the usual reef fish but it wasn't spectacular. I felt vulnerable snorkelling here as the boat boys would charge by in their boats, so we returned to the boat. There was a large ray under the boat with an impressive tail. Despite passing us several times, the park ranger didn't come for the fees today, so we went to the barbecue without paying for the buoy or the park. There weren't many people at the BBQ this evening, mostly big groups from the charter cats and we were left sitting on a table alone. We had ordered ribs and they were somewhat dry. With 3 beers and a couple of rum punches in small, plastic beakers, the bill was 310 EC, which was a bit of a rip off, although we understand that everything has to be fetched and carried from Union Island each day. We packaged up half the meal and took it back to the boat for tomorrow's lunch. It was another rolling night but we slept well with the cooling breeze and we were up at 7.30am to make our escape before the return of the park ranger.