Prepare yourself for a wild ride when you dive the reefs of Tobago. This small island sits like a boulder in the middle of the Guyana Current, which reaches Tobago (and its sister island Trinidad) from South America, where the current picks up an infusion of nutrients from Venezuela's mighty Orinoco River. As a result, divers find top-notch reefs and marine life, ranging from tiny tropical fish to massive manta rays, and drift diving with the Guyana is spectacular. On the northern end of the island you'll find swift currents, colorful sponges and abundant hard and soft coral growth. On the southern end, slower-paced shallow reefs and mini-walls are popular. Tobago also features large pelagics like sharks and dolphins thanks to its proximity to the open ocean.

ABOUT THE ISLANDS Trinidad's oilbird has the right idea — it only comes out at night, when the fun begins. Four major festivals take place on Trinidad: Carnival, a pre-Lenten fest marked by calypso and masquerade parties; Duvali, when hundreds of oil lamps are lit in commemoration of the Hindu goddess of light; Phagwa, in celebration of the vernal equinox and new year; and Hosay, which memorializes the murders of Mohammed's grandsons Hussein and Hassan. The fact that these festivals are equally important to the locals is reflective of the country's multicultural composition and worldly view.

Tobago, low key and underdeveloped, is considerably more serene than Trinidad — it's where Trinidadians go on vacation to escape the cosmopolitan pace of their own island. It has sheer cliffs and volcanic mountains covered in rainforests. White-sand beaches scallop the west coast. Buccoo Reef, a marine park of shallow coral formations, and the Nylon Pool, with its soft sandy bottom and crystal water, lie off the southwest coast.

Climate: Tropical climate with average maximum temperatures of 89º F. Tobago's temperatures are cooler, owing to the more constant north east trade winds. There is a dry season from January to May and a wet season from June to December. Annual rainfall is about 40 inches over most of the country. Trinidad and Tobago is just south of the hurricane belt.

Average Water Temp: About 80 degrees in summer, dropping to between 68 and 71 degrees in winter.

Average Visibility: About 80 feet, though it can be lower during the June-to-October rainy season.

Travel Savvy: U.S. and Canadian citizens must bring a passport.

PARTNERS Caradonna Dive Adventures