Tobago holidays

This lively corner of southwestern Tobago is known for sugar-sand beaches lined with buzzing bars. Spend your sunny days surfing, scuba diving or soaking up the rays.

Snorkelling is one of the best things to do in Tobago, an island surrounded by coral reefs. Buccoo Reef is the largest and a favourite for its variety of coral, from boulder-like brain coral to antler-shaped staghorn coral. Angel Reef is known for its unusual fish species like trumpetfish and porcupine fish. Hoping to spot turtles? Head to Pirate’s Bay in Charlotteville.

Music sets the rhythm to life in Tobago, whether it’s soca or calypso. Plan your visit to coincide with the island’s legendary annual pre-Lenten Carnival celebrations. Or, for a more casual musical experience, join the local crowds for Sunday School, a weekly street party in the fishing village of Buccoo featuring steelpan music, craft stalls and food.

Tobago is a paradise for birdwatchers. Expect to see a flurry of hummingbirds across the island. And keep your eyes peeled for blue-crowned motmots, blue-backed manakins and rufous-vented chachalacas — Tobago’s national bird. For some of the best birdwatching, head to the Main Ridge Forest Reserve or the small island of Little Tobago.

Tobago’s beaches offer something for everyone, from water sports to relaxation to retail therapy. Pigeon Point’s white-sand beach is the island’s most famous, loved for its swaying coconut trees and calm, warm waters. And Store Bay has snack kiosks and crafts stalls to break up days on its golden shore. Keen to surf? Make a beeline for Mount Irvine Bay.

With a landscape dominated by rainforest-cloaked mountains and powdery white sands, Tobago has plenty of nature to go around. Hike around Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere. Or swim in the spring waters of Argyle Falls, Tobago’s highest waterfall. Tobago is also one of the world’s best turtle-watching destinations — visit between March and August for nesting season.

The restaurants in Tobago range from simple seafood shacks to fancy al fresco terraces. The best ones use local ingredients offset by flavours from the Caribbean, Latin America, India and Africa. Tuck into crab and dumplings, usually cooked in a curry sauce with coconut milk. And stop by a street food stall for ‘doubles’ — fried flatbreads stuffed with curried chickpeas.

One of the best museums in Tobago to learn about the local culture is the Tobago Historical Museum. Located in Fort King George’s former officers’ quarters, it displays military relics, paintings and domestic artefacts. Interested in art? Make your way to the Kimme Sculpture Museum, home to works by German artist Luise Kimme and Cuban sculptor Dunieski Lora Pileta.

If you want minimal rain and consistently hot temperatures, consider visiting Tobago in January and February. But know that these are peak tourist months, especially around Carnival time. March is also a great time to visit, as it coincides with the start of sea turtle–hatching season. If you’re looking for a bargain, try the rainy season between June and November, though expect sudden downpours.

While this can be a pricey travel destination, cheap holidays to Tobago are possible with some careful planning and budgeting. In general, you can expect to pay less than 120 Trinidad & Tobago dollars ($) for a simple meal and under $20 for a local beer.