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Ocean Calling

Ocean Atlas · Caribbean

Caribbean

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

A chain of small islands where green turtles graze the seagrass of the Tobago Cays marine park.

Green turtle
Green turtle, found in the waters of the wider region · Photo: James Thornton on Unsplash
Exploring

Ethics pass, with care. We found a way to visit this country that meets our animal-welfare standard, as long as we work with the right local operator. Checked by Ocean Calling on 30 Sep 2026.

TurtlesCoral reefs

Why Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

The Tobago Cays are the reason many yachts and day boats come here. The marine park protects a seagrass area called Baradal, where green and hawksbill turtles graze, and the national report for 2026 states a total ban on killing turtles and taking eggs from 1 January 2017. Boat traffic is heavy in high season, so this is a place we watch and learn about first. We are still researching.

Conservation-led. Ocean Calling guests never chase, touch or bait animals.

United States of AmericaHaitiDominican Rep.BahamasMexicoBrazilPeruColombiaPanamaCosta RicaNicaraguaHondurasEl SalvadorGuatemalaBelizeVenezuelaGuyanaSurinameFranceEcuadorPuerto RicoJamaicaCubaTrinidad and TobagoTobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesUnion Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

When to go

Apr-Nov. Timing changes by place and by animal, so check each place below.

We have researched this place and keep learning about it. There is no trip here yet.

Our ethics check

Can we travel here ethically?

Ethics pass, with care

Good with the right operator. Here is how we choose.

The grazing turtles at Baradal are real and the park has clear rules, but yachts and day boats put pressure on the lagoon. We would avoid crowded high season and any touching or feeding, and we do not swim with whales or dolphins here. We are still learning, so nothing is on sale.

Evidence is still thin here. We are checking again with official sources.

Checked 30 Sep 2026. Places change, so we look again every year.

Places we are exploring

Where in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Short notes from our research. Wildlife is never guaranteed.

Tobago Cays

Exploring

A marine park lagoon with seagrass where turtles graze, reached by day boat from Union Island or Mayreau.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Green turtles grazing at Baradal (park rules: no touching, no feeding, keep a body length or more)

Union Island

Exploring

Small southern island and gateway to the Cays, with a local turtle patrol group.

⛵ From the boat or shore, never in the water: Turtle nesting (community patrols, not an Ocean Calling trip)

When: Apr-Nov. Nesting is around April to November on monitored beaches. Night beaches can be unsafe after dark.

Animals

Animals recorded in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Tap an animal to learn how it lives, where it travels and how to meet it respectfully.

Green turtle resting on the reef, shell and head pattern in sharp detailGreen turtleChelonia mydasSeen in 103 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernHawksbill turtle swimming, pointed beak in profileHawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricataSeen in 88 countries in the AtlasCritically EndangeredLeatherback hatchling crossing the sand toward the seaLeatherback turtleDermochelys coriaceaSeen in 76 countries in the AtlasVulnerableHumpback whale swimming close with long pectoral finHumpback whaleMegaptera novaeangliaeSeen in 87 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernOrcas surfacing close together in calm Arctic Norwegian watersOrca (killer whale)Orcinus orcaSeen in 55 countries in the AtlasData DeficientGreat barracuda cruising in open blue water, showing jagged teethGreat barracudaSphyraena barracudaSeen in 84 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernMale magnificent frigatebird perched on a mangrove branchMagnificent frigatebirdFregata magnificensSeen in 52 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSouthern stingray resting on white sand, St John, US Virgin IslandsSouthern stingrayHypanus americanusSeen in 33 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedLongsnout seahorse holding a red sponge stalk with its tail against blue waterLongsnout seahorseHippocampus reidiSeen in 25 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedMasked booby on Ascension IslandMasked boobySula dactylatraSeen in 80 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernQueen conch with a reddish spiny shell resting on seagrass over sandy seabedQueen conchAliger gigasSeen in 32 countries in the AtlasNear ThreatenedAdult brown booby standing on a rock with its bill open against blue sky, PrincipeBrown boobySula leucogasterSeen in 104 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernClose view of a red-footed booby head with blue, pink and red bill and throat skin among green leavesRed-footed boobySula sulaSeen in 91 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCrowd of brown pelicans packed together on a coastal roost, one adult with a pale head and coloured bill facing the cameraBrown pelicanPelecanus occidentalisSeen in 48 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernCaribbean spiny lobster at the edge of a reef overhang with long antennae trailing across sandCaribbean spiny lobsterPanulirus argusSeen in 30 countries in the AtlasData DeficientManx shearwater banking just above the sea, white underparts and dark upperparts visibleManx shearwaterPuffinus puffinusSeen in 34 countries in the AtlasLeast ConcernSargasso shearwater gliding over a grey sea, dark above and pale belowSargasso shearwater (Audubon's shearwater)Puffinus lherminieriSeen in 27 countries in the AtlasLeast Concern
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Also in Caribbean
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