A Caribbean island with white coral beaches and the oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere. Local dishes include curried crab, while waters teem with coral reefs.
Tobago, the smaller island of Trinidad and Tobago, lies 20 miles northeast of Trinidad. Walk through the Main Ridge forest to spot ruby-topaz hummingbirds darting between branches, or swim at Buccoo Coral Reef where purple-and-yellow angelfish weave through brain coral formations. In coastal villages, you'll find fishermen hauling in their morning catch while locals shop for fresh produce at open-air markets.
Getting to Tobago
You can reach Tobago through A.N.R. Robinson International Airport, with connections from Trinidad, other Caribbean islands, and some international destinations. The flight from Trinidad takes 20 minutes. Several daily ferries run between Port of Spain and Scarborough, taking about 2.5 hours each way.
Geography and Climate
The Main Ridge cuts diagonally across Tobago from northeast to southwest, rising to 1,800 feet. In the southwest, the land slopes into a coral plain with reefs along the coastline. Temperatures range from 68°F (20°C) in January to 89°F (32°C) in April and May. Plan your beach and hiking trips between January and May when rainfall is minimal.
Birds and Wildlife in Main Ridge
In the Main Ridge Forest Reserve, you'll spot 17 species of hummingbirds, including the tiny tufted coquette - just three inches long. Listen for the distinct call of the cocrico, Tobago's national bird, or watch for bright-colored tanagers and blue-crowned motmots in the trees. From March to August, you can see leatherback turtles laying eggs on the island's northern and western beaches.
Marine Life and Beaches
Snorkel at Buccoo Coral Reef to see schools of blue parrotfish and yellow-tailed angelfish swimming through formations of elkhorn and brain coral. Store Bay and Pigeon Point have calm, waist-deep waters ideal for swimming and beginner snorkeling. At Englishman's Bay, green hills drop down to a crescent beach where waves are better suited for stronger swimmers.
Local Life in Scarborough
Start your day at Scarborough's morning market, where farmers stack purple dasheen root vegetables next to yellow cassava, and fishermen display their fresh catch on ice. From here, climb to Fort King George to explore the Tobago Museum in the 18th-century barracks. Walk around the military cemetery and see the original cannons positioned toward the Caribbean Sea, then step inside the restored officers' mess hall from the 1780s.
