Travel Blog Tobago
Unspoiled beauty Authentic, affordable, and accessible, Tobago ticks all the boxes for those looking for something relatively untouched and undiscovered. Its outstanding natural biodiversity and unspoilt habitats make it ideal for active travellers who love the great outdoors and more eco-adventures that preserve it.
Take a walk on the wild side Much of the island’s rich array of indigenous plant and animal life can be found in the UNESCO-listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve, which is no less than the oldest protected piece of forest reserve in the western hemisphere, established in 1776. If you venture beyond the treeline, you’ll be rewarded with glimpses of astounding and rare wildlife, including the white-tailed sabre-wing hummingbird (only seen in one other place in the world), ocellated gecko, and Bachia heteropa microteiid lizard, both endemic to Tobago. The Reserve has several trails to discover, the oldest and most popular of which is Gilpin Trace. Another popular one is the mile-long Blue Copper Trail and just outside the park, the Shurland James Hummingbird Nature Park allows you to get close-up views of hummingbirds in their natural habitat.
Breathtaking bird watching The birdwatching is epic all over Tobago, with more than 260 species to be spotted across its bird sanctuaries, which include St Giles Rocks, Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary, and Little Tobago Island. Then there are Tobago’s sparkling waterfalls, including Argyle, Parlatuvier, and Highlands. The bioluminescence here is extraordinary, too – you can take an evening excursion through the mangroves and along the coast by kayak or paddleboard to see otherworldly glowing plankton.
Sustainable tourism and pristine beaches Another must-do while in Tobago is a visit to the Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve, an award-winning model for sustainable tourism. This 12-acre working organic estate grows citrus, mangoes, and other fruits as well as being home to many bird species including motmot, blue tanagers, and hummingbirds, plus butterflies and iguanas. Of course, the sea and the beaches here are magnificent. Some of the best beaches on Tobago are at Englishman’s Bay, Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Store Bay, Pirates Bay, Cotton Bay, and Lovers Bay. You’ll find a level of seclusion here unmatched by many other destinations in the Caribbean and there are plenty of water sports to enjoy too. Fun fact about Tobago A fun fact about Tobago is that the island's name comes from the tobacco pipe called "tavaco" used by the native inhabitants. Some believe the island even resembles the shape of the pipe. Tobago is also known as the birthplace of the limbo and the steel pan drum.
Popular food in Tobago Tobagonian food is dominated by a wide selection of seafood dishes, most notably, curried crab and dumplings. Tobago is also known for its sumptuously prepared provisions, such as dasheen (taro root), sweet potato, eddoe, cassava, yam, soups and stews, also known as blue food across the country.
Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve” is the national motto of Trinidad and Tobago, promoting unity and shared achievement. The coat of arms, featuring a pair of birds, also serves as a national emblem, with the motto positioned below it.
