Interview with Scooby – January 21, 2009 By Scooby and Tara Sawatsky
Why are you called Scooby? My first boat I owned was a wooden boat built in Petite Martinique back in 1999 by Mac Olivere. I named that boat ‘Scooby’ because of the cartoon – Scooby Doo. It is one of my favourite cartoons. After that, the name stuck on me and everyone started calling me Scooby. Ever since, I named all the boats that I own ‘Scooby’. My registered business is also named ‘Scooby Tours’. My real name is Thomas Alexander.
Scooby Tours is my small tourism operation doing tours from Carriacou up the Grenadines as far as Bequia, It began in 1999. What I do is organize package tours, day charters and even bus tours on the island of Carriacou and in the rest of the Grenadines. Scooby Tours organizes chartered trips from Carriacou, Petite Martinique, Petite St. Vincent, Union Island, Palm Island, Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Canouan, Mustique and Bequia. We provide drinks on board for the day charters. We also provide a concierge service . Raffles Resort on Canouan is one of our regular clients. Our current boat is a 40-foot long, 13-foot wide power cruiser, which can hold up to 18 persons.
When we bring people to the Tobago Cays Marine Park, there is a place where you can dive with turtles. It is the best place in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. All of the five islands in the park have their own beaches and crystal clear waters . The tourists smile when they see the natural waters. That makes us happy when they are happy.
We also love going to Mayreau, a private island, with only 500 people, It is a unique island, with a special feeling. It has a hotel, nice harbour and one of the best beaches in the Grenadines – Salt Whistle Bay. There is a fantastic view from the village by the Catholic Church. You can stand at one point and see both Grenada and St. Vincent, as well as the rest of the Grenadines.
I was born on Mayreau and I grew up on, and still live on Carriacou. Because of that, I know a lot about the islands, sailing, the reefs and the best spots to lime in the Grenadines. I know the best restaurants and bars. For instance, the best cocktail in Mayreau is at Robert Righteous’ bar known as the Rasta bar. The best meal in Mayreau is at the Island Paradise. The best local guesthouse is Dennis’s Hideaway. He also has a pool bar, and serves excellent barbequed lobster as well. On Union Island, you can have cocktails and dinner at Happy Island – a manmade island in the harbour.
I have a lot of experience. I have been to various workshops on how to deal with tourists, protect the environment, and on operating water taxis. I’ve spent years on the water. I also worked on the Windjammer Barefoot Cruise for three years.
Discover the Grenadine islands at your own pace! Scooby brings you fast in the morning, slow in the sunset or just the way you want it from one island to the other. Enjoy the different feeling each island has to offer, stay on a deserted beach in the shade of palm trees listening to the sound of waves as long as you like.
Escape into the most beautiful underwater national park Tobago Cays or let you drop in front of Saline Island and snorkel along the coral reef of White Island. Whether you’re a new visitor or returning, our 30+ unique islands offer distinct experiences that will entice any traveler. We warmly invite you to explore our islands and discover your ideal travel experience.
Do enjoy your visit to the islands and we suspect that you will grow to love them as much as we do.
"Possibly the nicest place we´ve ever been!"
- Dave & Wendy, Co.Durham, UK.