8hr Around Tabago Tour I am back in Trinidad now, and I must say... read moreI am back in Trinidad now, and I must say I have recently experienced a tour of a life time.

It all started when i got word my Mother is coming to Trinidad to visit and we wanted to take her to Tabago, a week before she arrived we found David (Islandgirltours), ever since then I cant say enough about this guy, he arranged everything for us and the whole time it was about our experience truly have a met a friend for life and will always reach out to this tour guide when ever I am going to Tabago and I suggest the same to all who are wanting an awsome experience when travelling to Tabago.

Sincerely yours Greg...... read less

The best day tour. Fantastic day out with David who has been a great... read moreFantastic day out with David who has been a great guide and made us feel like friends. Get to go to places a bigger tour wouldn't be able to go. Lots of special extra touches that you wouldn't get elsewhere. Anyone considering doing this tour, just do it. You won't be disappointed!. read less

Chasing waterfalls Excellent day with family and island girl tours would recommend... read moreExcellent day with family and island girl tours would recommend to any one wanting a well planned and fun filled day !!! read less

Awesome tour to see Tobago during Carnival season We had the Grand Circle Tour with David and it... read moreWe had the Grand Circle Tour with David and it was such an awesome experience. He allows you to pick and chose what you would like to do during the 12 hrs. We toured and swam in several beaches and saw some waterfalls, did snorkeling, and toured several forts and had lunch beach side... not in that order but we covered so much during the tour. David was very accommodating and very personable. I thought i would fall asleep given the nonstop activities we had done prior to the tour but ended up not missing anything. Because we spent a lot of time driving David was very entertaining and knowledgeable of all things Trinidad and Tobago. We had such a wonderful time and would definitely do it again. This was a wonderful tour for those looking for some site seeing and adventure after partying it up n Trinidad. read less

Touring Tobago through Covid-19! Despite being in Tobago through the Covid-19 Pandemic we had... read moreDespite being in Tobago through the Covid-19 Pandemic we had an amazing time, largely thanks to David of Island Girl Tours. We had booked several tours with David during our week on the island. Several things were canceled like Sunday School and bon fires as well as all restaurants and bars being closed. We were still able to do the island tour and Pigeon Point/Nylon Pools. David did his best to still provide us with a wonderful Tobago Experience. We loved the island and we will be back! read less

A worthwhile tour We are mother and daughter (15) from Germany and we... read moreWe are mother and daughter (15) from Germany and we travel unusually in regions far away. Despite many holidays within Europe we wanted to see something more exotic. On the basis of many good reviews we booked the “Grand Circle Island Tour” by “Island Girl Tours” already in Germany.
The ratings don’t lie, we were pleasantly surprised.
Days before the tour began our guide David contacted us to inquire about our preferences and expectations.
Also we set pick up location and time.
David picked us up on time and a event-proof day began. We drove to places specified in the tour description by car.
David took the organization and could provide interesting facts and information about the attractions.
Without him we had never visit some of the attractions because we drove to less popular places too.
As David lives in Tobago since many years he knows all the interesting locations and people.
The dealings were very friendly, not just a guide. We were able to communicate with him just with our English knowledge from school. David also organized short term wishes per telephone for example the visiting of baby turtles at the beach.
Moreover he carried the box of chilled water the whole day with him 😊
Our tour began at 7:45 am and ended after a little break at our hotel on a beach party to which David invited us.
Also on the days after the tour David stands to our side with advice and action.
We truly can recommend this tour: friendly, competent and more a friend then a businessman.
We felt all the time save an welcome.

With this rating we want to thank David for the exciting days again.

Wir sind Mutter und Tochter(15) aus Deutschland und sind eher selten in soweit entfernten Regionen unterwegs. Trotz diverser Urlaube in Europa wollten wir auch einmal etwas exotisches sehen. Aufgrund der sehr guten Bewertungen buchten wir im Vorfeld bereits in Deutschland die Grand Circle Island Tour von Island Girl Tours.
Eines vorweg: Die Bewertungen lügen nicht, wir wurden äußerst positiv überrascht.
Schon Tage vor Tourbeginn nahm unser Guide David Kontakt zu uns auf und erkundigte sich nach unseren Vorlieben und Erwartungen. Auch wurden so Abholort und Zeit abgestimmt. Pünktlich wurden wir von David abgeholt und begonnen einen sehr ereignisreichen Tag.
Mit dem Auto ging es zur in der Tourbeschreibung angegebenen Orten.
David übernahm hierbei die Organisation und konnte zu jedem der besuchten Orte interessante Informationen liefern. Ohne ihn hätten wir viele Sehenswürdigkeiten nicht besuchen können oder gefunden, denn wir fuhren auch zu weniger bekannten Orten.
Da David seit sehr vielen Jahren auf Tobago wohnt kennt er die interessanten Orte und Leute. Der Umgang war sehr freundschaftlich, nicht einfach nur ein Guide. Wir könnten uns mit ihm mit dem bei und vorhandenen Schul-Englisch sehr gut verständigen. Kurzfristige Wünsche wurden von David rasch per Telefon organisiert, wie zum Beispiel die Besichtigung von Baby Schildkröten am Strand. Auch trug er den ganzen Tag die Truhe mit den gekühlten Getränken😊
Die Tour begann für und um 7:45 und endete nach einem Zwischenstopp im Hotel gemeinsam auf einer Strand Party zu der David und einlud.
Auch an den kommenden Tagen stand er und mit Rat und Tat zur Seite.
Wir können die Tour einfach nur empfehlen: freundlich, kompetent und mehr Freund als Businessman.
Wir fühlten uns jederzeit willkommen und sicher.

Mit dieser Bewertung möchten wir uns nochmals bei David für die ereignisreichen Tage bedanken. read less

Trustafarian bashing I will keep this succinct.

David is one of the most... read moreI will keep this succinct.

David is one of the most quality, down to earth, funniest men I have ever met. His knowledge is incredible.

Kristen: An incredibly laid back, funny, intelligent and cool woman.

Together, they are what batman is to Robin. Our day was incredible, our jokes will last a lifetime and I hope our friendship will as well.

You will see everything you could ever wish to see and be looked after in a way you could not even imagine.

You will not be disappointed.

Go with the flow, laugh, swim, smile and just enjoy yourself.

We're here for a good time, not a long time. read less

Phenomenal host! David went above and beyond in ensuring my stay in... read moreDavid went above and beyond in ensuring my stay in Tobago was memorable. As a solo traveler, he provided great reassurance as he not only provided an incredible tour via Island Girl but provided recommendations on events, contacts for other activities, and provided genuine feedback on potential endeavours I wished to embark on. The Grand Circle tour highlighted all of Tobago’s gems. It satisfies the adventurous soul while maintaining a stress-free day as all logistics are taken care of by David. I felt like I was spending a day with a friend. We had tons of fun while engaging in meaningful conversation. David is trustworthy, caring, energetic, and full of positive vibrations! I remained in contact with David throughout the duration of my stay as the tour was so special. As a marine lover, he put be in touch with others provided specific touring services in the area. He truly wants you to fall in love with Tobago. He takes great pride in his country and does a phenomenal job of ensuring all all of the country’s unique offerings are placed Centre stage in his tour. He was a comfort while traveling solo, providing numerous recommendations. David, Tobago is so lucky to have you. From one Canadian to another, many thanks (to the bamboo cathedrals and back). May the natural beauty of your country forever be embedded in my heart.

-Kaylee read less

The only way you should see Tobago is on this tour! This tour really shows you how tours should be, David... read moreThis tour really shows you how tours should be, David knows everything about Tobago down to the smallest detail, the best places to eat and hidden places that only the best know. You will learn to love this tiny island from this tour and will never want to leave.

David is a complete professional and will ensure you have the best experience you possible can, putting you first and making sure you get your money’s worth.

DO THIS TOUR! read less

Buccoo Reef & Nylon Pool Glass Bottom Boat Tour - Definitely Worth Doing! We highly recommend this trip. Working with the owner, David,... read moreWe highly recommend this trip. Working with the owner, David, made the entire process very easy. He's very communicative, helpful and most definitely committed to ensuring our day was fun! David picked us up in Castara and was right on time. Our discussion on our drive was very pleasant and we learned a lot about the history of Tobago.
The glass bottom boat left from beautiful Pigeon Point. The snorkeling at Buccoo Reef was excellent and wallowing in the waters of Nylon Pool is a lot of fun. If you're thinking of doing something like this, it's definitely worth it. read less

Great Experience!!! I first heard about this tour through a colleague.
Due... read moreI first heard about this tour through a colleague.
Due to a very hectic schedule, I decided to leave the details to the guide... And best decision ever!!!
The trip far exceeded my expectations... The experience, places and activities that were included were beyond amazing!!! Most of all for a single female I felt safe throughout the tour.
I highly recommend Island Girl Tour.
Thank you David for a wonderful experience!!! read less

Perfect family adventure!! If I was to say David was a great host... read moreIf I was to say David was a great host I would be putting him down. He was great from the moment of booking, making sure we had anything we would need for the day, customised the tour so our toddler could come along but still have us a real adventure. He really went the extra mile at every opportunity.

Took us for doubles first thing (which are delicious!!) and had a story for every road, why things were the way they were on the island. The tour consists of little hikes and waterfalls that are safe wet exciting, our daughter managed to walk all day across the rocks and David helped us climb the rock faces and steep tracks with her. We could have gone higher through the levels if we were without her but I was still able to dive off the waterfalls and get what felt like a full experience.

If you're into food, he'll also take you around plantations and take you to pick local fruits off tree to taste. Had some delicious guavas, giant star fruit, coconuts, almonds straight off trees and also took us to two amazing authentic local restaurants through the day. Taught us about bread fruit and took us to get bread fruit pie which is phenomenal!!

When the day went on, he knew we weren't to be available for Sunday school so found us a bar / restaurant to see a steelband play along with a beachside bbq, this wasn't an added extra. He did this out of his own time and even drove us all home late so we didn't have to get a taxi - yet again going above and beyond for us.

The next day he took us to pigeon point with some amazing white sand beach and guided us on the nylon pools tour. Got us a discount on jet skis and looked after our daughter on the boat so me and my wife could go out and jetski without any worry. Jemima (my daughter) absolutely loved him and I couldn't have felt happier to leave her with him.

Also a huge highlight as my wife broke her phone while on holiday, David takes photos of everything and send you all of them at the end of the day. Which means you get to get on with the day and not have to worry about stopping all the time to take pictures!!

When we come back to tobago in a year or so we'll definitely give him a call. Whether that is for a tour or just to meet for a catch up over a meal. David really made us all feel like we became friends by the end of the day. read less

Sympathic guide with perfect service We were visiting Tobago for our honeymoon and were only... read moreWe were visiting Tobago for our honeymoon and were only informed about Tobago via searches on the internet. We booked David based on the offered content and the professional description.

David contacted us in advance and asked for preferences and was modeling everything of the tour to our needs. He arrived punctual and was a great guy from the beginning on. We had great conversations while he drove us around the island, handled us snacks when we needed them, and when he found out we liked something more, he changed the tour so we could enjoy it more.

We bathed in lonely waterfalls, we were relaxing on almost empty beaches, we asked a lot and he knew everything about this island. From tourists with sparse informations we became fans of Tobago with a good knowledge of were to go on the island.

Actually we became fans so much, we extended our stay for a week! read less

Davids Caribbean Coastal Tour was fantastic! Doing the coastal tour was completely surreal, we got to... read moreDoing the coastal tour was completely surreal, we got to see a completely different side to Tobago as we had never seen or been to all the beaches before. Even better is that we treated to a very nice hello from a bunch of Dolphins which was amazing to see in the wild.

I could not recommend it more that you do this tour as well the island tour!

We will be back for more! read less

Tobago Couples Vacation BEWARE! If you tour with Island Girl Tours, you may... read moreBEWARE! If you tour with Island Girl Tours, you may never want to leave Tobago. We chose Dave after reading the numerous outstanding reviews. They were all true. He was punctual, knowledgeable, flexible, & exceeded our expectations. He tailored our tour to our needs. Even minor details, like food allergies, were taken care of. This was a first-rate tour by an exceptional guide who happens to be a genuinely likeable person. He checked up on us & continued to help us days after the tour was over, going above & beyond all others in Tobago. We've been on many excursions on many vacations, but never written a review until now. There is no comparison. Dave was, by far, the best. After you see Tobago through Island Girl Tours' eyes, you'll want to thank us. read less

Simply the BEST I met an old friend from my school days in... read moreI met an old friend from my school days in Tobago and we decided to do an island tour. We landed on Island Girl Tours and The Grand Circle Island Tour. What a stroke of luck!!! David is the ultimate tour guide . He loves his job and his island and this energy just flows wherever he is. We did everything! Swimming, snorkeling, hiking, sightseeing, bird watching and more. We had an incredible lunch and some fantastic conversations. He is very intelligent, and was polite and a gentleman the whole way through! (Which is not always a common thing for women travelling by themselves, let me tell you , I've had some experiences on other islands) Anyway, David is awesome ,IGT is awesome and The Grand Circle Island Tour is awesome and not to be missed! I will say this to potential visitors to Tobago , NO ONE is doing anything near a tour like this in Tobago. I mean 12-13 hours???
The proof is in the pudding . Book this young man. You won't be disappointed. read less

Waterfalls tour On behalf of my family and i would like... read moreOn behalf of my family and i would like to say thanks to David of @islandgirls tours it was an informative fun fill day chasing waterfalls in Tobago would highly recommend him and his company read less

Great time Really fun tour, it was like the field trip you... read moreReally fun tour, it was like the field trip you wish you could’ve gone on as a kid ya know? David drove and made sure we had everything we needed which made it worry free, and we got to enjoy the whole experience. read less

Castara Bay Night Tour This was our second tour with David after the full... read moreThis was our second tour with David after the full day island tour. We were picked up from our hotel and first stop was cocktails at Castara Retreats,which has an amazing location above the bay and built around nature as a massive tree house. We watched the spectacular sunset and then drove down to the Bay for dinner at the beach front resturant, Cascreol. The food was amazing, we had baked fish in coconut sauce. After dinner came the Steel drums, who were fantastic. David arranged for my wife to light the first bonfire of the night. He has all the contacts. We could have stayed all night dancing to the DJ but left around 11pm as we had an early flight next day. Again David was most obliging to our needs and drove us back to our hotel. This is the only night tour you will find and we were fortunate to have met David to arrange everything safely.
Would recommend Island girl to anyone visiting Tobago. read less

Awesome #1 Island Tour on Tobago Firstly if you are considering a tour operator on Tobago... read moreFirstly if you are considering a tour operator on Tobago for an island tour then David is your guy.
I have visited Tobago on previous occasions and thought I knew the island pretty well but David showed us places I never before considered or even knew existed.
Before we arrived in Tobago David and I had discussions on what my family wanted to see or experience and he created the perfect itinerary for our trip.
We really appreciated David's flexibility because some of the places we visited are so lovely that we wanted to spend more time in certain locations and this resulted in the the tour being adapted as we went along, to accommodate as much as possible, without missing out on other things. We actually went way over the scheduled time that David joined us for dinner and drinks late into the evening!
My family felt so comfortable with David that it was like spending time with an old friend. Nothing was too much for David and we laughed so much.
If we could rate the Grand Circle Island Tour higher than excellent then it would be simply AWESOME. Thank you so much David for all you did for us. read less

Best Tour of the Island We we're planning to do a tour of the island,... read moreWe we're planning to do a tour of the island, but weren't sure which one to choose. Everyone says there's was the best but you never know, especially when you're travelling somewhere without knowing anyone. We called David from Island Girl Tours and right away made you feel right at home. He asked us what we personally would like to see and took us out the night before the tour for a welcome drink. The next day on the tour he took us to what felt like every piece of the island. You can tell he loves what he does and goes over and above to give his guests the best experience while they are here. So glad we ended up choosing Island Girl Tours for our island tour. read less

Above and Beyond 5 🌟 Service Being in the travel industry for 20 yeaooors I... read moreBeing in the travel industry for 20 yeaooors I have to give kudos to David who has been am amazing tour guide to me and my family. I've traveled to Tobago several times but have never discovered its best hidden secrets and exotic experiences. He customizes his tours to your needs and ensures your expectations are met and as a result he gets repeated guests due to his awesome reputation and pleasant disposition. I've known him for 32 years and his word is golden.
Thanks to him he was able to find us an amazing house on the beach that truly made our stay even memorable.
Most foreigners who visit exotic destinations long to experience the culture and discover it's people and definitely it's worth your time and effort to have David conduct your tours and I promise you won't be disappointed.
KUDOS to Island Girl Tours !!!👍⛵🚣🍾 read less

Paradise Found My wife and I travelled to Tobago in March 2019... read moreMy wife and I travelled to Tobago in March 2019 and are forever thankful for meeting David with Island Girl Tours.

He picked us up at 8am at the Starfish Tobago hotel on Turtle Beach. Our first destination was Fort King George so we headed across the island to this historic site. If you are a historian, Tobago and all it’s forts are a must see.

From there, we headed north towards Fort Granby and our next destination, Argyle Falls. We were in awe on how around every turn, the views and vistas were so beautiful. Tobago is much more mountainous than we had expected and we loved every moment and the stories David told us as we toured.

We spent about 45 minutes at Argyle Falls and although we didn’t brave swimming in the lower pools, we did enjoy watching others climb up and jump in. I will admit flip flops are not a good idea as the rocks can be slippery so running or water shoes are recommended. David had mentioned this prior to and was totally good with us packing a day bag and leaving it locked in his SUV.

From there, we headed inland to the Main Ridge Reserve and were able to see some beautiful birds and wildlife. It was from the Bloody Bay Recreation Site that the view was truly magical - we couldn’t tell where the ocean ended or the sky began.

From there, we headed to Speyside which was originally a sugar estate. It was here we stopped and had lunch and a cold beer at a local establishment. It was clean and the food was tasty.

Our next stop was Flag Staff Hill which overlooks Charlotteville - this is where the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean meet. There wasn’t much to Flag Staff other than a stunning view and if you needed a place to stretch your legs, you could do it while taking it all in.

Next stop was Fort Campbelton - another amazing panoramic view - all the while, David offered a history lesson of all these places.

From there, we stopped for a cold beer at Paradise Point in Parlatuvier, met some kind locals and had some laughs. At this point, we were on the Atlantic side of the island and can honestly say, we had fallen in love.

By now, it was about 2PM and it was getting hot so our next stop was Englishman’s Bay for a swim! It was a quiet beach with smooth stones underfoot, crystal clear water and the perfect place for a dip. We did see people snorkelling here and would go back another time with our gear.

From there, we stopped at The Castara Retreat for a cappuccino and met the owner. We saw wild parrots in the trees, stingrays in the bay below and took in some calypso music.

Somewhere between Castara Bay and our hotel, David pulled over on the side of the road and we had doubles - a local lunch - made with chic peas and flat bread. It was delicious and we had officially caught our Island Girl vibe!

David is kind, knowledgeable and we always felt safe on his tour. He was always quick to answer questions on Whats App and helped us plan other days during our vacation.

He is LGBT friendly, knows Tobago like the back of his hand and certainly was a huge part in making our first trip to Tobago, unforgettable.

Thank you David @ Island Girl Tours, Tobago. read less

Giro dell’isola di Tobago La settimana scorsa sono stata in vacanza a Tobago,un’isola Dei... read moreLa settimana scorsa sono stata in vacanza a Tobago,un’isola Dei Caraibi che mi ha lasciata davvero estasiata perché l’ambiente è molto naturale e anche gli hotel sono ben integrati.Cercando su internet ho trovato questo ragazzo che organizzava tour dell’isola Per l’intera giornata.Siamo partiti alle 8,30e ci ha portato davvero in ogni angolo,sia storico che naturalistico raccontandoci tutti gli aspetti.E’una persona molto preparata e accogliente,ci ha messo a nostro agio.E’stato anche divertente fermarci a mangiare il cocco in una bancarella per strada
Lui si chiama DAVID read less

Amazing Thank you David for an amazing tour. And what makes... read moreThank you David for an amazing tour. And what makes it is you! You have endless knowledge of the island and a great love and passion for nature. My wife and I spent a whole day with you and enjoyed every moment, from the secluded beaches you took us to, the waterfalls, mangroves to the majestic forest. We couldn't have expected more. You tailored the tour according to our wishes and needs. I would recommend anyone thinking of doing the island tour to contact you directly. Thank you again for a great day. read less

Best guide we've ever had - the tours are amazing! David is not only an amazing guide, but a great... read moreDavid is not only an amazing guide, but a great person to be around! His communication is impeccable and super friendly/welcoming.

We arrived in Tobago in the afternoon on January 9th and hadn't had any tours planned. We honestly didn't even think about researching anything for our trip and decided to play it by ear. We found David's tour and contact information the following day and reached out. He responded quite promptly and we were taken out the next day for the Nylon Pool tour. David and Kristen picked us up, gave us a little tour and some information about Tobago on the way to Pigeon Point. They pointed out a local hangout near our resort that was going to be happening that evening and recommended that we go (we popped by in the evening and there was some live music, bonfire and good times!). Kristen was with us during the this tour and was very lovely and friendly! Everyone was super hospitable and it felt like we just spent the day with friends 🙂

A few days later, we went and did the Island Tour with David and another group. We stopped off and had some delicious doubles for a breakfast snack before heading to the Tobago Plantation. We explored the Mangroves and it was a crazy site to see! Afterwards, we made our way towards Fort King George to walk around and explore. We ended up finding an abandoned ambulance graveyard which was pretty nuts but super cool at the same time. Unfortunately the weather the day of our tour wasn't great and it was raining quite a bit. We decided to end the tour early because we wouldn't have been able to experience Tobago in all it's glory and to how David wanted to show us it. This is something that was super appreciated since most guides would want you to carry on - but his love of the island wouldn't allow it. Whenever we come back to Tobago, we'll definitely be doing the tour again to make sure we see the island in all it's glory.

I highly recommend David to anyone and everyone who visits Tobago! read less

Best tours in all of Tobago! My friends and I visited Tobago in May and I... read moreMy friends and I visited Tobago in May and I am not kidding when I say we would not have had the amazing time we did if it was not for Dave. We stayed at Dave’s Airbnb called breath of heaven, which was amazing in itself. It was affordable, safe, absolutely beautiful and right ON the beach! Thanks to Island Girl Tours we got to do so many fun activities. The Grand Circle Island Tour was my favorite where we got the tour the entire island of Tobago stopping by many local places to experience the culture and historical places. We enjoyed our time SO much that we plan on coming back very soon to do it all over again and more with Island girl Tours. If you are planning a stay with them, do not give it a second thought because you will not regret it. read less

A Tour with a Mission: To Instill a Sense of Passion for Tobago and Its People We did the Grande Circle Island Tour, and I'm convinced... read moreWe did the Grande Circle Island Tour, and I'm convinced this was the most efficient way to have spent our far-too-short-a-time in Tobago. David is more than a tour guide, but a true ambassador of Tobago. With Island Girls, your guide has a deep love for his country, and his mission is to share this passion. Having lived overseas for a significant period of time (Canada), David not only understands the land from which you come, but also anticipates the questions you may have, the beauty you’ll be astounded by, and the experiences that alter the way you see the world. We learned more about Trinidad & Tobago in the first 30 minutes of the tour than in all our pre-trip preparation. He is extremely well-connected with local business owners, so it felt as if we got VIP treatment at every stop. I also appreciate the many accommodations and adjustments David made to the tour to accommodate my wife’s broken leg! David personally made our vacation much more meaningful than it would have been had we not taken this tour. Relax and enjoy the ride. read less

Unforgettable The 12 hour tour lead to some of my most... read moreThe 12 hour tour lead to some of my most favorite moments on the island of Tobago. When I had to book a tour at the last minute David was very understanding and willing to try to fit us in. He then planned an amazing day for us filled with so much fun and good conversation. Besides taking us to beautiful parts of the island he told us about the culture and even introduced us to some good music. We ate great food and got to experience so much that we would have missed out on otherwise. David is very accommodating and wanted us to have a wonderful time which he easily accomplished. We had an incredible time and are already wanting to go back to do it all over again! read less

2 custom tours and 8-9hr circle tour Family of four toured with Island Girl Tours Jan/Feb 2020.... read moreFamily of four toured with Island Girl Tours Jan/Feb 2020. Our first tour was of the Cocoa Estates coca farm where we enjoyed a guided tour through the grounds this trip also included a small waterfall and tour of the fort in Scarborough. Our second trip out with David was to Bucoo reef/Nylon pool/ No mans land aboard Captain Romeos Sugar Lips boat - included great snorkelling and swimming. Our last adventure with David was booked was the 8-9hr tour. David took us to many spots on the island including both famous tourist stops and also spots off the route of most tours. I would highly recommend touring with David and booking ahead before leaving Canada was easy - David was always early for hotel pick up and very accomodating - as well as enthusiastic, fun and an excellent guide. read less