What To See In Tobago

Argyle Falls

are Tobago’s highest falls. Beware of punters trying to be guides, they are not qualified as to the rough parts of the journey, use official guides who can be found at the entrance road and at the parking area and ask them what the cost is before you start. Ask to see a badge. It is a 15-20 minute nature walk to the actual falls, so make the trip early morning when it is cooler. There is a road around the back so that you walk down the falls - ask your guide. The falls are better after a good rainfall in the rainforest. See: Waterfalls In Tobago

Botanical Gardens

Adjoins the Scarborough Mall. A peaceful point in the midst of the bustling town where you can chill out among brilliant flamboyants, silk cotton trees, and avenues of royal palms.

The gardens are a touch of green in the middle of the city and consists of seventeen acres of well-groomed tropical gardens. These gardens run from the Claude Noel Highway at its northern end and southward almost to the sea.

The Botanical Gardens celebrated its centenary in 1998. You may want to visit the FLORA OF TOBAGO.

Buccoo

The small village of Buccoo is known for action at Easter when the goat and crab races are held there and for when it comes alive religiously on Sunday nights for the weekly Sunday School. No bible study here - only dancing, liming, and drinking at this lively street party. See: Buccoo Reef Trust (BRT)

Buccoo Reef - Buccoo.

Declared a marine park in the 1970s, it is home to several species of hard and soft coral, and is rich in marine life, from tiny jewel fish to reef sharks and barracuda. Visitors are asked not to compromise the reef’s longevity by walking on or touching living coral. In fact, if possible, take your own snorkelling gear and keep off the sea bed altogether. You’ll see more this way, too. Also, avoid buying coral trinkets, no matter how beautiful. The Nylon Pool is part of the glass-bottomed boat tours. It’s a shallow sandspit in the lagoon, warm and pleasant for swimming. A Nylon Pool swim is said to make you feel ten years younger!

If you do go be very careful not to damage the coral in any way and take all your rubbish and trash home. See: Tobago Buccoo Reef

Courland Monument - Plymouth.

Tobago’s earliest settlers were from Courland (see History - 15th Century to 19th Century - 1641): their descendants gather in Tobago to maintain the link. The monument is a fine sculpture by Janis Mintiks to commemorate the settlers who gave their name to the great bay south of Plymouth. See: Tobago Mountain Bike Trails

Castara Bay -

once you're there the beaches are about half a mile long. This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough. The south beach is the most accessible and has two bars and restaurants for refreshments. The north beach can be reached by walking/swimming around the headland below the Blue Mango or by walking along the Main Road north and take the second turning left - there is limited car parking: this beach is ideal for children.

On Thursdays the Castara mothers bake bread and cookies in the school yard - to sell - the profits go towards school funds. People travel in to Castara to taste the delights of this clay-oven baking. See: Places To See in Tobago - off the beaten track in Tobago

Castara Waterfall -

is up the river that has its outlet in the bay. Walk up to the main road - across the football pitch keeping to the left and follow the river upstream across the boulders in the stream bed. Look out for the large blue-black butterflies and bird life. Use an insect repellent as there are mosquitoes. The route is hot but if you take swimwear you can have a dip in the pool at the base of the falls.

Charlotteville

is a small, unspoilt village is also a good diving base. Man o’ War Bay is great for swimming, with beach facilities at the northern end. A visit to the lookout at Flagstaff Hill for spectacular views of Charlotteville is a must. A nice place to stay, good eating places.

You can walk to L' Anse Fourmi over the northern tip of Tobago where there are local buses and taxis to Scarborough, it takes about 4 hours. See: Kayaking in Tobago

Englishman's Bay -

this picturesque beach scene is of a tropical Caribbean beach. A hat is advisable. This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough. The beach is sign-posted to the left - a few metres through the bamboo forest. The beach is very isolated so you will have to take care of your valuables - lock your car. There are no resources on the beach - Castara and Parlatuvier are the nearest, so bring your own refreshments and lots of water to drink. Pack up soon after sunset as there are millions of mosquitoes waiting for you. See Tobago Vacation Itinerary Ideas

Fort King George

Built in the 1770's, this is one of Tobago's best preserved historical monuments. It has the old prisoner's cells, bell tank, barracks and officer's mess. The approach to the fort take you past old fort's prison cell - now converted to offices and then past the present Scarborough Hospital.

Several cannon emplacements still remain as they were in the past - overlooking and guarding the coastline and from this magnificent vantage point, not only can you look down upon Scarborough, but you can see over Bacolet, up the Windward coast, and south over Lowlands. The Fort is complete with a craft shop, military cemetery, old chapel, old cell block and the Tobago Museum is located in the Barrack Guard House of this Fort. See: Historical Sites

Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary - Black Rock.

This bird sanctuary was once a cocoa estate; after the devastating hurricane of 1963, the owner took to feeding the wild birds whose forest habitat had been damaged. After she died, the estate was willed to her family on condition that it remained a wildlife sanctuary. The Motmots sometimes still come out of the forest at four in the afternoon, the old feeding time, and allow themselves to be fed by hand. Trails into the bush have been cleared for nature hikers.

Granby Point

Fort Granby was built to protect the island’s short-lived capital of Georgetown (1768). There’s nothing left of it now but the gravestone of a young soldier on a pretty, wooded headland with nice views and benches set under the trees. There’s a pleasant beach with fishermen’s pirogues hauled onto the sand. See: Belle Garden Wetlands Association (BGWA)

Hillsborough Dam

is the island’s source of drinking water. No swimming allowed here. Set in a rich forested area, this is a good location for birding - herons and waterfowl. See: Tobago Nature - Bird of Paradise Island, Birdwatching Locations in Tobago

King’s Bay

was once a large Carib settlement. The water is calm and warm, and there are beach facilities. King’s Bay Waterfall can be reached via a trail on the opposite side of the road; however, the falls are sometimes dry when there’s been little rain. See: The King's Bay Waterfall

Kimme Museum - near Mount Irvine Bay Hotel.

The workshop and gallery is that of the German sculptor Luise Kimme, who has made Tobago a large part of her life's work; massive wooden blocks turn into graceful dancers, young girls, lovers, mothers with children. Viewing on Sundays, or by appointment. The picture illustrates her work that was on loan to stand outside the Tobago museum. She has been mean and it is no longer there. Open Sundays 10 am-2 pm. Small entrance fee. See: Luise Kimme Sculpture Museum, Tobago

Little Tobago - Speyside.

As you look out to sea from Speyside, you will see Goat Island and behind that, Little Tobago. This is now a nature reserve for wild life - mainly birds. The brown boobie and the red-billed tropic bird (visits to roost in the winter). Boats leave Speyside for Little Tobago, the glass-bottom boat is more informative and could include snorkelling off Goat Island on your return, they have the gear on the boat - you should haggle over the price. Parents should ensure that children (and themselves) wear the life jackets provided - this is the Atlantic side and it can get rough. See: Eco Adventure In Little Tobago

Mount Irvine

A scenic area known for its championship golf course. Owned by the Mount Irvine Hotel, this 18-hole course boasts sweeping fairways, punctuated by coconut palms and breathtaking views of Mount Irvine Bay. See: Mount Irvine - Tobago Scuba Diving Site and Mount Irvine Golf Course

Nature Reserve - Arnos Vale.

This 12 acre estate on the Arnos Vale Road is good for birds, butterflies, iguanas, mango and citrus orchards (pick your own fresh fruit), and a birdwatcher's spot - the wild life is reputed to be feed to fulfil the tourist requirements - not wise! See: Arnos Vale Estate Hotel - Bird Watcher'S Paradise

Parlatuvier

is a picturesque crescent shaped bay but the water soon becomes too deep too quickly for children to enjoy. Refreshment is available. This beach can be reached by bus from Scarborough. On the road and by the road you will find cattle grazing, each will have a cattle egret eating the insects stirred up by its host. See: Cruising Guide to Trinidad & Tobago

Mystery Tombstone- Plymouth.

There is an 18th Century grave stone with a mysterious inscription on it:

Within these walls are deposited the bodies of Mrs Betty Stiven and her Child. She was the beloved wife of Aley B Stiven to the end of his days will deplore her death which happened upon the 25th day of November 1783 in the 23rd year of her age. What was remarkable of her: She was a Mother without knowing it and a Wife without letting her Husband know it except by her kind indulgence, to him.

Rainbow Nature Resort, Rainbow Falls

is approximately 15 minutes from Goldsborough Bay, you’ll find this converted cocoa house that offers accommodation and a restaurant. Rainbow Falls are a 10-minute walk in and out of a pretty stream (boots are provided) with kingfishers and lizards for company. See: Waterfalls In Tobago

Richmond Great House

This is an old estate house that can be reached by bus from Scarborough. The house was built for the owners of the plantation, for most of the 20thC it was owned by the Short family - Major Short was a retired British officer from the Indian Colonial Army. He bought the Richmond Estate in 1898 and converted it from a sugarcane production - which declined as sugar beet was then providing most of Britain's sugar requirements - into producing cocoa and coconuts. At the time, Richmond was the second largest plantation in Tobago and provided much needed employment in the Glamorgan and Belle Garden area.

Much of the rustic woodwork of the Great House was cut from the estate and local carpenters and artisans gave the great beauty to the house we see today.

Major Short - Junior born in 1902 inherited the House in 1926 and he became the aide-de-camp to the British Governor, Sir Robert Rance around the second world war. Although the house survived the hurricane 'Flora' of 1963, the estate crops were devastated causing the financial demise of the Shorts. The bulk of the estate was sold off to the government for agricultural development. In 1973 the Tobagonian Professor of History at Columbia University, New York Dr Hollis R Lynch took over the ownership of the House. While he was away the house received the tender care of Hollis's friend Rita.

There is a small charge to look around the House and see one of the finest private collections of African art, artefacts and textiles. You can stay in their accommodation and - or have a meal. Visit: http://www.richmondgreathouse.com/

Scarborough

Scarborough Shops, a central market, mall and cinema; fast food, bars; loud music and busy roads define Scarborough. This small capital, in which almost half of Tobago’s 50,000 people live, is divided into Lower and Upper Scarborough, the latter overlooking Rockly Bay. It is also the island’s administrative centre and port of call for the cruise ships and Trinidad-Tobago ferry. A casual walk at the coolest time of day is the ideal way to get acquainted. See: Tobago Major Towns and Villages and Scarborough Sea Port

Scarborough Mall

In the heart of Lower Scarborough, opposite the docks. Here you’ll find banks, post office, library, pharmacies and bus station The Scarborough Market, next to the Mall, specialises in fish, fruit, vegetables and local foods; the best times are Friday and Saturday mornings.

Speyside

has a beautiful bay but caution should be taken as this is the Atlantic side where the sea is rougher. Once the centre of a sugar plantation, it is where you can find the ruins of the boiling and crushing factory. The water wheel still stands. This site needs some tender loving but it gives the visitor a strong impression of the efforts that went into sugar and molasses production in the 19th century. Boats leave here for Little Tobago - you should haggle over the price. See: Speyside Eco-Marine Park Rangers (SEMPR) and ATDO Certified Dive Shops, Scuba Diving Operators and Diver Training Centers

Tobago Museum

In the old Barrack Guard House at Fort King George. The showcases have artefacts from Tobago’s early Amerindian era and colonial days. Contains a good collection of early maps of Tobago. Visited by Prince Charles during his visit. Open Monday to Friday, 09.00 - 17.00 hrs (doors close at 16.30 hrs). Admission: adults - TT$5; teens - TT$2; 12 and under - TT$1. Rather than walk up the hill from Scarborough to the fort - get a taxi, on the way down there are taxis available at the hospital. See: Luise Kimme Sculpture Museum, Tobago

Waterwheel and Nature Park - Arnos Vale.

Little remains of the old 18thC sugar factory except the waterwheel that powered the mill is there, this has been renovated and the area tarted up with a nature park, a museum and gift shop. There is good bird-watching here. See: Arnos Vale Estate Hotel - Bird Watcher'S Paradise