Bon Accord Lagoon
The Bon Accord Lagoon is fringed by mangrove wetlands and an important habitat for many species of marine life. Because of this wetland the whole area is accessible only by boat, making it popular destination for Island boat tours.
More Guides
Nesting Sea Turtles
Turtle Season
Between March and August each year, giant leather-backs, Hawks-bill, and Green sea turtles visit the shores of Tobago to lay their eggs. The process can take up to 2 hours from start to finish, going longer sometimes if the turtles are disturbed.
Some turtles will make multiply visits to the shores during the season untill the right spot is found. Once the nesting process is complete – aproximately 60 days later, baby turtle hatchlings will emerge from the sand.
What happens :- A sea turtle will find the right spot for a nest by checking the sand with both front and back flippers.
- Sea Turtles dig holes up to 2.5 feet deep with back flippers only.
- Once the right depth is met – between 60 -100 eggs are layed.
- Sea Turtles will then gentle cover eggs with back flippers only.
- They will then use both flippers to camouflage the area around the nest.
- Once completed they then slowly return to the sea.
Popular Bays for sightings:- Turtle Beach – Great Courland Bay
- Grafton Bay – Stone Haven Bay
- Back Bay – Mt. Irvine
- Lambeau Beach – Little Rockly Bay
Protection Guidelines
- If possible, do not disturb, obstruct or approach a turtle that is coming to shore, laying or covering its nest.
- Never handle Turtle eggs or try to sit, stand or ride on a Turtle.
- Avoid using bright lights as it can confuse the Turtles or cause them to abandon their nests.
- If observing – stay up to 20 feet away from Turtles while they are nesting.
Snakes of Tobago
Tobago is home to several species of snakes, although they are not commonly seen by visitors to the island. The snakes of Tobago are generally harmless to humans, and they play an important role in the island’s ecosystem by controlling rodent populations and other small animals.
One of the most common snakes found on Tobago is the common racersnake (Alsophis antiguae), which is a small, non-venomous species that is usually found in forested areas. Another species found on Tobago is the brown vine snake (Oxybelis aeneus), which is a slender, arboreal snake that feeds on lizards and small birds.
The Tobago coral snake (Micrurus circinalis) is also found on the island, although it is relatively rare and is only found in certain areas. This species is venomous, but it is not aggressive and will generally only bite if it feels threatened.
It is important to note that while Tobago’s snakes are generally not dangerous to humans, visitors to the island should still take care when exploring natural areas and should avoid disturbing or handling any snakes they may encounter.
Tobago has ~21 species of non-poisonous snakes recored on the island. Sizes range from some inches up to 15 feet. Boa Constrictors, Ratonels, Horsewhips, Doctor snakes etc. are a common sight in developed areas.
- Trinidad Burrowing Snake – Amerotyphlops trinitatus
- Boa Constrictor – Macajuel – boa constrictor
- Tree Boa – Cascabel – Corallus ruschenbergerii
- Rainbow Boa – Epicrates maurus
- Tobago false Coral – Erythrolamprus ocellatus
- Doctor Snake – Erythrolamprus melanotus
- Ratonel – Pseudoboa neuwiedii
- Royal ground snake – Erythrolamprus reginae
- false coral – Oxyrhopus petolarius
- Tobago one-lined snake – Atractus cf. univittatus
- Three-lined ground snake – Atractus trilineatus
- Fiddle-string snake – Imantodes cenchoa
- Cat-eyed snake – Imantodes cenchoa
- Red-nape snake – Ninia atrata
- Clouded snake – Sibon nebulatus
- Black snake – Drymarchon couperi
- Parrot snake – Leptophis ahaetulla
- Machete – Mastigodryas boddaerti dunni
- Horsewhip – Oxybelis aeneus
- Tigre – Spilotes pullatus
- Black-head snake – Tantilla melanocephala
Islands of Tobago
Saint. Giles Island
Saint Giles Island is located off the northeast tip of Tobago. The island can be viewed clearly from flag-staff lookout in Charlotteville. Reef patches and cliffs surrounding the island makes it a popular dive site.
St. Giles Island Goat Island
Goat Island is located off the coast of Speyside, between Tobago and Little Tobago. The reef around the island is popular with divers.
Goat Island Little Tobago
Little Tobago is a small island off the northeastern coast of Tobago, popular with birdwatchers. The island is an important breeding site for seabirds such as red-billed tropicalbird, bridled terns and many more. Angel reef is also a popular site around the island for divers and glass-bottom boat tours.
Little Tobago Queen’s Island
Queen’s Island is located on the north-eastern coast of Tobago outside of Louis D’or Bay and Delaford.
Queen’s Island Richmond Island
Richmond Island is located on the eastern side of Tobago outside of Richmond bay.
Richmond Island Sisters Rock
Sisters Rocks is tiny group of islands located off the northern coast of Tobago directly north of Parlatuvier. Sisters Rocks are popular for snorkeling and scuba diving for hammer-head sharks.
October Carnival
Tobago Carnival is an annual festival held on the island of Tobago in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The carnival takes place in the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, which falls in February or March each year.
The Tobago Carnival is a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and culture, with a focus on the island’s unique traditions and heritage. The festival features colorful costumes, lively music, and energetic dance performances, with participants taking to the streets to dance and celebrate.
The Tobago Carnival is a smaller and more intimate version of the larger Trinidad Carnival, which takes place on the neighboring island of Trinidad. However, the Tobago Carnival still attracts a large number of visitors and locals each year, with events including calypso competitions, steelpan performances, and a grand parade on Carnival Tuesday.
One of the highlights of the Tobago Carnival is the traditional J’Ouvert celebration, which takes place in the early hours of Carnival Monday. During J’Ouvert, participants cover themselves in mud, paint, and powder as they dance through the streets to the beat of steel drums and soca music.
The Tobago Carnival is a lively and colorful celebration of Tobago’s culture and heritage, and is a must-see event for anyone visiting the island during the Carnival season.
