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Healthy coral reefs protect coastlines, sustain biodiversity, drive tourism, build beaches, support fisheries, and even shape the waves we ride!
Exploring surf around the world is one of our core motivations for this ocean life and mission. So, with an Atlantic crossing recently behind us, it felt heavenly to drop anchor next to a tropical reef break in Tobago and jump in with the crew.
Coral growth over thousands of years has built a reef framework here that shapes a perfect wave when the right swells come in. However, we quickly learned that the corals here in Tobago are facing a serious existential threat, and naturally we can't ignore this crisis unfolding beneath our feet.
Local coral reef ecologist, Dr. Anjani Ganase, showed us footage from the severe bleaching event of 2024 when huge swathes of reef across the island turned white. This happens when a significant rise in sea temperature forces corals en masse to expel the colourful algae that live within them. These algae normally provide food for the corals by means of harnessing sunlight in photosynthesis, so without the algae the corals starve and will die.
Diving down to join Dr. Anjani and her coral monitoring team, we see patches where colonies have died, and many which have been trying to recover in the colder winter months — presenting as patchy, and somewhere between yellow and brown. She says that despite some recovery, the latest climate models suggest "annual severe bleaching occurring as early as 2027," and "the trajectory of coral reefs in the Caribbean is not looking good."
This is part of our souls this place
and we wanna see that it's protected
Duane Kenny
Rocky Point Foundation
It's not just climate change that is killing corals — it's careless coastal choices too.
On the headland overlooking the reef at Rocky Point, a property developer is seeking approval for a large Marriott hotel and residential complex that is likely to have a devastating impact on the ecosystem. “Any digging will result in soil and silt going on top of the reef. Our reef obviously will die... it's already under stress from global warming,” warns Duane Kenny — local resident, surfer, and co-founder of the Rocky Point Foundation. Sedimentation like this smothers corals, blocking the sunlight they need to survive.
Around 40% of all visitors to Tobago come at least partly because of its coral reefs (Burke et al., 2008), so protecting them isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s an economic one too.
The reef at Rocky Point forms part of Tobago’s precious marine network. Dr. Anjani Ganase tells us it hosts visiting dolphins and manta rays, supports critically endangered elkhorn corals, and that leatherback turtles use the adjacent beach as a major nesting site.
Duane explains to us that several hotel projects in the immediate area have failed and lay in ruin, and questions the suitability of yet another project on what is such a sensitive site.
At the Water People Expedition, we feel that the authorities reviewing this proposal must recognise that this is not an ordinary stretch of coastline. Having sailed tens of thousands of miles, we can say with confidence that this is a one-of-a-kind location deserving protection. Its true value — to nature and to the people of Tobago — would be lost with the proposed development.
Update:
September 2026
Trinidad and Tobago's environmental regulator, the EMA, has given the go-ahead for the Marriott hotel and villa development
That was despite experts urging otherwise:
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The Guardian reported that Dr Anjani Ganase of the Institute of Marine Affairs, who appears in our film, recommended rejection and said the applicant "consistently refused to adjust" scale, design or mitigation. She also pointed to missing hydrodynamic modelling of stormwater.
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Dr Michelle Cazabon-Mannette of SOS Tobago said there was "no follow-up to that first RAR [review and assessment report]" and that approval was "not fully science-based."
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Duane Kenny, founder of the Rocky Point Foundation, told the Guardian the 30m coastal buffer is inadequate and that pool chemicals, wastewater and heavy concrete put the reef at risk.
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The Tobago House of Assembly's environment department had unaddressed concerns about coastal erosion and wastewater treatment.
So, what's next?
Monitoring the development:
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Local forces such as the Rocky Point Foundation are now setting out to work with the EMA to ensure that the terms they approved are followed by the hotel development company.
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Watching for the level of sediment and runoff during construction.
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Monitoring of the reef, water quality and turtle nesting.
When we dropped anchor at Rocky Point last year, we were guests, welcomed by local surfers and scientists who showed us what this reef means to them and to the whole community. It has been a privilege to share their story, and you've carried it further than we imagined. Our two short films have now passed 57,000 views and 1,600 shares, a high level of engagement! Thanks for sharing, and to everyone who has already joined our Rocky Point mailing list. Stewardship of this special coastline goes on through the local heroes on the ground, and it's not too late to get involved.
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Give corals
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Shrink your carbon footprint
Walk, bike, use public transport, or sail! Switch to renewable energy, and offset flights.
Spread the word
and get involved
Join the conversation, post or share posts on social, contact your government representative, volunteer.
Choose reef-safe products
Some sunscreen and chemicals harm reefs. Look for “reef-safe” sunscreen and household cleaners.
Eat coral-friendly seafood
Overfishing hurts reefs. Pick sustainably sourced seafood and avoid species at risk. Learn about reducing your impact in our film project here.
Cut plastic use & pollution
Microplastics can disrupt feeding, reproduction and carry diseases. Macroplastics can suffocate corals.
Click here to learn what you can do.
Where in the world?
We are here
TOBAGO
Who's in the videos?
 First Mate Mitch |
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 Captain Tim |
 Dr. Anjani Ganase |
 Duane Kenny |
Useful web links for Tobago
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Rocky Point Foundation https://saverockypoint.com
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Marriott Hotels sustainability page — which doesn't seem to align with the proposed development at Rocky Point! https://serve360.marriott.com/sustain/
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Which way Tobago? — article about failed hotel developments in Tobago, and new ways of thinking. https://scribblesnz.com/2025/05/21/which-way-tobago/
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SOS Tobago — mission to conserve Tobago's sea turtles. http://sos-tobago.org/
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Institute of Marine Affairs — A mission to conduct impactful research and provide expert advice, ensuring the sustainable management of Trinidad and Tobago's coastal and marine areas. https://www.ima.gov.tt/
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Environment Management Authority (EMA) for Trinidad & Tobago https://www.ema.co.tt/
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Tobago House of Assembly (THA) https://www.tha.gov.tt/
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Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville (ERIC) https://www.eric-tobago.org/
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SpeSeas — advances marine conservation through scientific research, education and advocacy. https://speseas.org/
Further reading in coral news and science
Most Caribbean coral reefs could stop growing by 2040 — Dasgupta, S. (19 Sept 2025). Mongabay. A major new study warns that rising ocean temperatures and acidification could halt reef growth across the Caribbean within 15 years. With over 400 reef sites studied, scientists say the region’s coral ecosystems — vital for coastlines, fisheries, and tourism — are nearing a tipping point.
Read more
Impacts of sedimentation on coral health and reef ecosystems: A comprehensive review — (2025). PubMed / Elsevier. Synthesizes over 250 studies on how sediment from land runoff, dredging, and fine particles harms corals at all stages: smothering, reduced photosynthesis, fewer larvae settling, and rising mortality.
Read more
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record — Carrington, D. (23 Apr 2025). The Guardian. Reports on the largest recorded global bleaching event, detailing unprecedented sea-surface temperatures and the cascading effects on reef ecosystems.
Read more
Restoration alone isn’t saving coral reefs from climate change — European Commission Joint Research Centre (8 Apr 2025). Highlights findings that local restoration projects cannot offset global heating, emphasizing the need for emission reductions alongside habitat protection.
Assessing effects of sediment delivery to coral reefs: A Caribbean watershed perspective — Rogers, C. & Ramos-Scharron, C. (2022). Frontiers in Marine Science. Looks at how land use, erosion, and watershed changes in the Caribbean increase sediment load to reefs, and how that leads to reef decline via smothering, shading, lowered recruitment.
Read more
References
1. Burke, L., Greenhalgh, S., Prager, D., & Cooper, E. (2008).
Coastal Capital: Economic Valuation of Coral Reefs in Tobago and St. Lucia.
Washington, DC: World Resources Institute (WRI).
https://www.wri.org/publication/coastal-capital-economic-valuation-coral-reefs-tobago-and-st-lucia
Thanks to the crew, contributors, and supporters!
This project wouldn't have been possible without the crew who joined us for the mission (such as Elliot seen here surfing with us at Rocky Point), or without the passionate contributors such as Duane Kenny (who is working tirelessly and heroically for Rocky Point) and Dr Anjani Ganase, or without all the family, friends and supporters who helped us make this happen — you know who you are 🙏
