What you need to know
— What: Long-period swells up to 15 seconds are forecast to produce large, breaking waves. In addition, spring tides through October 24th will enhance wave heights during high tide. Lastly, increased winds in heavy showers/thunderstorms are likely to lead to locally choppy/rough seas.
— Where: Swells are expected first to impact Tobago’s northern and northeastern coastlines, then Trinidad’s northern and northeastern coastlines. Locally choppy/locally rough seas are likely across the entire marine area in heavy showers and thunderstorms.
— When: Peak long-period swells up to 15 seconds are forecast between Friday night and Saturday night, with swell periods between 12-13 seconds through Sunday morning. Another swell event is forecast from mid-Monday into Tuesday, outside the TTMS’ alert period, with peak swells up to 15 seconds.
— Impacts: Agitated seas with exacerbated conditions at high tides, larger-than-normal breakers with large, battering waves in the surf zone; disruption of near-shore activities, including fishing, swimming, and boat moorings; coastal flooding with intrusion of salt water, and displacement of sand, further than the average reach point, and elevated risk of rip currents, particularly along northern and eastern beaches.
— What Should You Do: All marine interests need to exercise extreme caution, while small craft operators should seek safe harbor. Inexperienced mariners should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions, especially those operating smaller vessels. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to unsafe surf conditions. If you intend to go into the water, it is recommended that you use beaches with on-duty lifeguards. Restrict nearshore marine activities. Secure coastal property and objects on the beachfront that the wave action or winds may sweep away.
Latest Alerts
High Wind Alert Remains In Effect For T&T
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning at this time.
The Hazardous Seas Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service issued the Hazardous Seas Alert for the coastal areas of northern Tobago, northeastern Tobago, and, to a lesser extent, northern Trinidad at 1:58 PM Friday, October 17th, 2025. The alert goes into effect at 8:00 PM Friday, October 17th, 2025, and remains in effect through 4:00 PM Saturday, October 18th, 2025. Forecast models indicate long-period swells are forecast to continue through Sunday morning, with another short-lived swell event Monday into Tuesday.
“High energy, northerly, long-period swells of up to 15 seconds, in combination with spring tides, are expected to affect the islands, initially Tobago from Friday night, then gradually and intermittently affecting Trinidad. Impacts: agitated seas with exacerbated conditions at high tides, larger than normal breakers with large, battering waves in the surf zone, disruption of near-shore activities including fishing, swimming, and boat moorings, intrusion of salt water and displacement of sand, further than the average reach point,” according to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service.
The alert’s color indicates the event’s severity and the likelihood of its occurrence. Currently, the alert level is yellow. This means the hazards are possible and the impacts are moderate for this alert.
There is an increased risk of strong rip currents, which pose a serious hazard to swimmers and beachgoers. Rip currents can be life-threatening even for experienced swimmers. Agitated seas will likely be particularly dangerous for offshore activities, including fishing and other small craft marine interests.
For a moderate Hazardous Seas Alert, there is potential for injuries, requiring behavioral changes to ensure safety. There may be minor property damage, income-earning temporarily disrupted, and a couple of communities affected.
The Met Office advises that all marine interests should carefully monitor nearshore/coastal sea conditions and exercise caution along identified areas. Restrict nearshore marine activities. Secure coastal property.
