Trinidad – Freediving, Spearfishing & Surfing
Trinidad holds a special place in our hearts. Keke spent part of her childhood there. Her dad was born on the island, and she lived there for several years before moving back to the U.S. Since then, we’ve made many trips to Trinidad together — but until recently, most of our time was spent in and around the capital city of Port of Spain. Bustling, loud, and full of flavor, the city is a true melting pot of cultures. But this time, we wanted something different. We wanted to dive deeper — literally and figuratively — into the more remote parts of the island.
In October of 2024, we packed up our gear and headed east to explore Trinidad’s rural coastline — a side of the island that very few people, especially tourists, ever get to see. We were chasing fish, waves, and a connection to something bigger. But to tell this story right, we’ve got to rewind a bit.
At the end of this blog, check out our two-part video series from this trip — you won’t want to miss the wild rides, the underwater action, and the story of a local legend.
Getting to Trinidad’s East Coast (And the Legend of Chris Dennis)
In August of 2023, we had the honor of joining a group of freediving instructors from Florida for a special project on Trinidad’s sister island, Tobago. We were there to help run a freediving instructor camp, something that’s become increasingly important as the sport continues to grow in the Caribbean. With freediving gaining traction in the region, safety has to be the top priority. Through the vision of the late Virgil Price — a dear friend and one of the original champions of the Caribbean freedive community — and the support of Performance Freediving International (PFI) and Florida Freedivers, we were able to train a new wave of divers. That included Level 1 students, advanced and intermediate divers, and several brand-new instructors who now have the skills to safely share this sport with others.
One of the people we met during that trip stood out immediately: Chris Dennis. A humble but fiercely talented surfer from the rural east coast of Trinidad, Chris was raised in a fishing village where daily life was closely tied to the ocean. He eventually got sponsored by Vans and went on to surf competitively around the world — but instead of leaving his roots behind, he came back and built something that’s truly changing lives.
Chris and his wife run a nonprofit called Waves for Hope, which offers freedive and surf therapy programs to at-risk youth in Trinidad. It’s not just about teaching kids to swim or surf. It’s about giving them purpose, structure, and a sense of connection to something bigger than themselves.
We stayed in touch after the Tobago trip, diving together in Florida and keeping the friendship alive. When Chris invited us to come explore the uncrowded breaks and untouched reef systems on Trinidad’s east coast, we didn’t hesitate.
Untapped Beauty on the East Coast
Trinidad isn’t your typical Caribbean tourist hotspot. The island’s economy is powered by oil exports, not tourism, which means it hasn’t been shaped around resorts or cruise ships. It’s raw. Real. And often overlooked.
The country has also struggled with crime in some areas, which understandably makes visitors cautious. But the flip side is a place full of heart — with some of the most diverse food, culture, and landscapes in the Caribbean. The east coast especially feels like a step back in time, where small fishing villages dot the coast and families have lived off the sea for generations.
The surf scene here is low-key, with long stretches of coastline and fun, uncrowded waves. The swell can pick up quickly, but it’s not the kind of heavy, board-snapping surf you might find in other parts of the world. It’s challenging enough to keep things exciting, but accessible enough for most intermediate surfers to enjoy — especially with a local like Chris showing you where to paddle out.
Spearfishing: Raw and Real
Spearfishing in East Trinidad is nothing like the Bahamas or Florida Keys. Out here, it’s not about trophies or photos. It’s about food — and survival. As Chris says in our YouTube video, there were times growing up when the ocean provided the only meal of the day. Fishing is a way of life, passed down through generations.
On our first dive day, we stayed close to shore to get our bearings. We hit some shallow reef spots, spotting Snapper and Barracuda cruising the ledges, but nothing big enough to bring home. It was a solid warm-up — just enough to get our fins wet before the big mission the next day.
Day two was the real deal. We were joined by Ace from Go Beyond Freediving in Tobago and Saif from Go Out and Under in Trinidad. We loaded up a traditional local fishing boat — a narrow, panga-style vessel called a pierogue — and headed about 20 miles offshore.
The diving here is no joke. Small reef patches, strong current, and dark green water that limits visibility. But when you do find a good spot, it’s loaded. We were diving between 40 to 70 feet, and the fish were thick. Ace and Saif kicked things off by landing a Hogfish and a Mutton Snapper. Then Keke dropped in and stuck a beautiful Mutton — the biggest of the day.
What’s unique about this region is the abundance of large Dog Snapper. In Florida and the Bahamas, you might see one here or there, but they’re usually loners. In Trinidad, they school — and they’re monsters. We ended the day with a solid haul: Mutton Snapper, Dog Snapper, Hogfish, Barracuda (a local favorite), and a few Triggerfish — or “Sea Chicken,” as the locals call them.
We wrapped the evening with a simple but incredible meal — fresh fish curried and fried in coconut oil, served family-style. The rest of the catch was shared with neighbors.
Gratitude and Impact
We’re so grateful to Chris for opening his home and waters to us. It was special to unplug, get back to basics, and see the community he’s helped build through Waves for Hope. In a place that faces real struggles — poverty, limited opportunity, and crime — Chris is proof that one person’s vision, paired with the ocean, can transform lives.
Big thanks as well to Neritic Diving, who supplied us with freediving gear to bring down for Chris and his programs. And shoutout to Go Out and Under for helping us gear up locally for the trip. This one will stay with us for a long time.
🎥 Watch the adventure unfold:
🎬 Also check out the Vans feature on Chris Dennis: Breaking Boundaries
If you’re inspired to support or get involved with Chris’s programs, visit Waves for Hope.