Tobago Cays Passage

Does anyone have experience with the southern passage in and out of Tobago Cays? Is the water easy enough to read?
If looking to visit Petit Tabac, it would be more convenient than taking the northern passage and going around Mayreau.

Do the charter companies (specifically Dream Yacht Charters) prohibit its use?

I suggest that you ask your charter company their policies directly, but would highly discourage the southern entry to the Cays. This is more used by people with local knowledge. If you climb to the top of the hill on Mayreau and look at the Cays from the Church (highly recommended), you can see what it looks like. Mayreau is only about 2 miles long and I recommend you sail/motor the extra distance and follow the "normal" route and pass between Petit Rameau and Petit Bateau to enter..

The best/safest way to get to Petit Tabac is to arrange one of the boat boys to take you, weather permitting.

The southern route is actually very easy but most likely red lined by charter companies. With high sun and few clouds the water is easily read.

We did the Southern route from Union Island last year in the daylight with just our charts and visual. A little nervousness but nothing more than any other tight spot. Not sure if our charter company had it redlined or not as my partner attended the briefing. With a good chart review ahead of time I would feel pretty comfortable as I had no prior experience. We usually double up our chart programs and GPS to make sure they agree when in these tighter areas where 10 feet could mean a big difference.

The southern passage was not that hard with good viability and sun right above you. Entering for our first time we swung north around Mayreau to look into salt whistle bay (there was space so we decided to stay there for the night.). Left the next am and went on to Tobago Cays through the north passage. We exited the south passage toward Union island the next day and sailed on a nice beam reach. We did not get a charter briefing at all from DYC so no idea if it was red lined or not.

Enjoy!

Respectfully, no. The best way to visit Petit Tabac is to be on one of the three - four boats able to anchor there. To do that, you have to be early. As others have noted, early light may not be best for the south passage. So, safest is the "long" way, but the reward is well worth it.