Information
Landmark: Baradal IslandCity: Tobago Cays
Country: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Continent: North America
Baradal Island, Tobago Cays, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, North America
Overview
Baradal Island, part of the Tobago Cays in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is one of five untouched isles in the marine park, best known as a quiet refuge where sea turtles glide through clear, turquoise water, equally important baradal’s hidden beaches, turquoise waters, and lively reefs make it perfect for snorkeling, spotting wildlife, or simply stretching out on the warm sand.Tucked inside the protected Tobago Cays Marine Park, just southeast of Mayreau and near Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau, this small crescent-shaped island is only reachable by boat, with tours running from Union Island, Mayreau, Canouan, and Saint Vincent; visitors pay a modest fee to help preserve its white beaches, rocky windward cliffs, and mix of lush greenery with dry shrubs and cacti, while the hilltop rewards you with sweeping views over turquoise water and a peaceful, untouched atmosphere perfect for nature lovers, to boot in the Grenadines, the Sea Turtle Sanctuary is one of the best spots to swim alongside graceful green and hawksbill turtles as they drift through seagrass beds, nibbling gently at the blades.Bright coral gardens shelter flashes of parrotfish, slow-moving nurse sharks, and the shadow of an eagle ray gliding past, along with for the best snorkeling, head to the island’s south side or the clear, coral-rich waters near Horseshoe Reef.Shallow, sunlit shallows invite long swims or lazy floats, while soft sand warms your feet as you stretch out to dry, likewise tucked-away coves offer more privacy than the bigger Cays, and short trails wind through iguana-dotted brush to hilltop views where the ocean and reef spread out in every direction.Sailboats and catamarans often drop anchor in the calm waters nearby, making it an easy hop to snorkel, explore, or simply sink into the peace of the shore, in turn just north of Baradal, Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau offer more sandy beaches and prime snorkeling spots, and they’re a bit larger-and busier-than their neighbor, in a sense Horseshoe Reef stretches wide, its coral wall shielding the Tobago Cays so the water stays calm and glassy, perfect for some of the finest snorkeling and diving in the Grenadines, therefore Jamesby Island, all rock and wind and sweeping views, draws fewer visitors, making it ideal for a quiet hike.Mayreau, the closest inhabited island, hums with restaurants, beach bars, and local life, and it’s home to Saltwhistle Bay-a curve of white sand so perfect it looks painted, equally important visit from December to May for dry skies and crystal-clear water, or come between June and November for fewer crowds, though you might meet an afternoon storm.And don’t miss Baradal Island, where sea turtles glide in turquoise shallows and the hush of the cays wraps around you.
