Year-round sunshine, unique biodiversity, mouthwatering cuisine, and Caribbean hospitality present a distinctive kaleidoscope of culture and colour in Tobago – the island offering both authenticity and tranquillity.
TOBAGO
Tobago, the Caribbean island twinned with Trinidad situated just off the coast of Venezuela, is a hidden paradise that fuses raw, natural beauty with rich culture.
Spanning just 116 square miles, it offers an array of easily accessible experiences for all types of travellers.
Enjoying year-round sunshine, cloudless skies, a tropical climate, and wonderfully warm waters, the island is ideally situated for sun-seekers.
As a leading eco-tourism destination, Tobago’s deep commitment to environmental preservation is evident. The Main Ridge Forest Reserve, for example, is the Western Hemisphere’s oldest protected rainforest and boasts lush habitats with unique flora and fauna. Here, visitors can explore hiking trails and mountain bike across rugged terrains, encountering rare species of wildlife along the way.
Within the reserve, Tobago’s highest point, Pigeon Peak, looms some 385 metres (m) above sea level, offering breathtaking 360-degree views over the verdant canopies below where colourful hummingbirds dart and dive.
Beyond the trees, Tobago’s coastline features pristine sandy beaches ideal for relaxation, such as Englishman’s and Castara Bay, lapped by the gentle tides of the Caribbean Sea. Pigeon Point Beach, meanwhile, offers exciting kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding opportunities for those seeking a thrill.
Elsewhere, the island’s numerous coral reefs invite snorkelling and diving enthusiasts to discover vibrant marine life, including stingrays, spotted dolphins, and leatherback turtles.
Tobago’s cultural roots entwine African, European, and Indigenous influences, each of which is reflected in the festivals, music, and art that local people take great pride in. The island’s culinary scene is a testament to this diversity, offering dishes such as blue crab and dumplings, callaloo, and goat curry, which combine Caribbean and international flavours.
Offering a harmonious blend of untouched beauty, a tropical climate, and unique cultural appeal, Tobago emerges as an ideal destination for travellers seeking both authenticity and tranquillity in the Caribbean.
OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS
FOR A VIEW OVER PARADISE…
Boasting stunning south-facing panoramic views, Eagle’s Base Villa and Cottage is set within lush, gently sloping lawns that feature majestic, fruit-bearing coconut trees. The villa, which includes a decadent infinity pool and an open-plan interior, epitomises Caribbean charm with its relaxed yet chic design. The cottage, meanwhile, is spacious yet cosy, featuring a fully equipped kitchen, covered deck, and four-poster bed, with natural light streaming through large windows that overlook the grounds.
FOR A TROPICAL HIDEAWAY…
Castara Retreats’ 17 treehouse-style eco-lodges, nestled between the sandy shores of the village of Castara and the sprawling rainforest beyond, offer a true escape from the typical all-inclusive hotels and resorts encountered elsewhere on the island. Aiming to create a tropical hideaway for its guests, where Tobago’s charismatic charm and slow pace thrives, Castara Retreats provides subtle luxury, an opportunity to live within the landscape, and glorious views overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Do:
FOR A MOONLIT ADVENTURE…
Bioluminescence, a fluorescent emission of blue light, is the product of energy released from touch-stimulated sea plankton. This unique natural phenomenon is mindfully explored by Radical Sports Tobago, whose zero-pollution stand-up paddle and kayak bioluminescence tours are not to be missed. With the plankton shining brightest after a full moon, the two-hour after-dark tours include a magical paddle through mangroves towards No Man’s Land, where swimming amongst the marine life will reveal stunning bioluminescence with every touch.
FOR A HEARTWARMING NATURAL ENCOUNTER…
Experience the rare delight of wild hummingbirds feeding from your hands at Shurland James Hummingbird Nature Park. Local legend Shurl, who runs the park, offers visitors homemade ice cream and advice on how to approach the birds. Featuring an open-air café and viewing platform overlooking picturesque Bloody Bay, a wide plethora of birdlife, in addition to the famous hummingbirds, can be encountered here. From the fluttering, white-necked jacobins to the larger Trinidad motmot and collared trogon, this is a bird enthusiast’s dream.
Eat:
FOR A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE…
Built in the traditional Tobagonian style and overlooking the Atlantic Sea, Jemma’s Seaview Kitchen in Speyside is centred around an impressive almond tree. Guests are seated on platforms built into sturdy branches, uniting them with the natural world. Renowned for home-style cooking, including breadfruit pie and eggplant casserole, alongside freshly caught lobster, fish, and shrimp, the restaurant’s unfussy atmosphere and large portion sizes see regulars return time and time again.
FOR A TASTE OF THE SWEET LIFE…
Planted exclusively with local Trinitario and Trinidad Selected Hybrid (TSH) cocoa varieties, Tobago Cocoa Estate invites visitors to discover the history of cocoa on the island. Opportunities to engage in guided tours and participate in the cocoa fermentation and drying processes offer a unique, hands-on insight.
TOBAGO HERITAGE FESTIVAL IN FOCUS
Tobago showcases its vibrant cultural legacy every year through the Tobago Heritage Festival.
Held annually from mid-July to early August, the festival was established in 1986 to preserve and celebrate the island’s unique traditions. Over the years, it has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events, drawing visitors from across the world to experience a rich tapestry of song, dance, folklore, and culinary delights.
The festival begins with a spectacular opening night gala, where the island’s diverse cultural forms come to life. Traditional dances, folk dramas, spoken word performances, and lively music are presented, setting the stage for the festivities to come.
Each evening throughout the two-week celebration, different villages host events that highlight their distinct cultural practices.
A particularly popular event is the Ole Time Wedding in the village of Moriah, a reenactment of an 18th-century wedding procession that reflects the island’s colonial past and traditional customs.
“Dancing the Cocoa” in Charlotteville, meanwhile, is the highlight of the village’s Natural Treasures Day production and a major part of the Tobago Heritage Festival. It sees local people dancing on cocoa beans to the sound of a tambrin band – a practice once used to make the beans shinier for sale at market.
The festival is also a platform for the Miss Heritage Personality contest, a celebration of women who have contributed significantly to the community.
In addition, visitors can indulge in a variety of local foods integral to Tobago’s cultural identity, such as dasheen, yam, cassava, sweet potato, and green banana, which are incorporated into many recipes.
The Tobago Heritage Festival not only preserves the island’s cultural spirit but actively revives it, providing an unforgettable experience for both locals and visitors alike. Its blend of history, culture, and community stand as a testament to Tobago’s vibrant and enduring traditions.
LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS
Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool
With many operators offering glass-bottom boat tours of the area, the impressive 10-acre Buccoo Reef ecosystem features tropical fish, bright corals, and vibrant biodiversity, converging in a kaleidoscope of colours. Meanwhile, the nearby Nylon Pool, otherwise known as the ‘Fountain of Youth’, is a stretch of shallow, crystal-clear water recognised as a site of relaxation and renowned for its rejuvenating powers.
Little Tobago
Located off Tobago’s northeastern coast, Little Tobago is a haven for seabirds, fittingly dubbed ‘Bird of Paradise Island’ by locals. As a protected natural area, it can only be accessed by boat with an authorised guide. The island’s topography provides an ideal habitat for a variety of native and migratory seabirds, including the red-billed tropicbird, red-footed booby, and magnificent frigatebird, which keen birdwatchers delight to encounter.
Main Ridge Forest Reserve
Covering almost two-thirds of the island, the Western Hemisphere’s oldest protected forest features unique flora and fauna as well as rocky hiking trails. The two-hour Gilpin Trace trail, for example, splices through the heart of the forest and offers a rare glimpse of Tobago’s national bird, the rufous-vented chachalaca. The reserve is also home to the island’s highest waterfall, Argyle Falls.
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
Situated just off the coast of mainland South America and between its sister island of Trinidad and Grenada, Tobago can be accessed in numerous ways.
Major airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines, and Air France, amongst others, fly to Trinidad’s Piarco International Airport (POS) to ensure the island is well connected.
From here, travellers can take a short 20-minute connecting flight to Tobago with Caribbean Airlines. Flights run daily and hourly and can be purchased at both local travel agents and directly through the airline.
Alternatively, a ferry service is available from the Port of Spain in Trinidad to Scarborough in Tobago, operating twice a day in the morning and afternoon. Whilst this option is more affordable and environmentally conscious, the crossing can take two to three hours.
Once on solid ground, Tobago’s small size facilitates easy and efficient transport.
Taxis are by far the most popular mode of transport on the island; those marked with the letter ‘H’ on their number plates are available for hire, making it easy for tourists to identify them.
For those looking to rent their own vehicle, an international driver’s licence is required, which is valid for up to three months. Care should be taken on the more scenic routes, where hairpin bends and narrow roads are common.
Meanwhile, the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) runs a public bus service featuring daily routes covering much of the island. This is by far the most budget-friendly transport option, with fares ranging from just TTD$3 to TTD$8
