Little Tobago

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Little Tobago is a small island located off the northeast coast of Tobago, which is itself an island in the southern Caribbean Sea and part of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Little Tobago is also known as Bird of Paradise Island, due to its abundance of exotic birds, including the red-billed tropicbird, the white-tailed sabrewing hummingbird, and the magnificent frigatebird.

The island is home to a bird sanctuary and nature reserve, and is a popular destination for birdwatchers and eco-tourists. It is accessible by boat from the village of Speyside on Tobago’s main island.

The island is popular for

  • Naturalists
  • Bird-watching
  • Angel reef
  • Scuba diving
  • Glass-bottom boat tours

Angel reef is also a popular site around the island for divers and glass-bottom boat tours.

The largest brain coral in the caribbean is also located on the reef system.

The island is an important breeding site for seabirds such as red-billed tropicalbird, bridled terns and many more.

Related Guides

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    Mount Irvine Bay

    Mt. Irvine Bay is situated on the south western coast of Tobago, between the villages of Buccoo and Pleasant Prospect. The bay is a very popular spot on the island especially with surfers and limers.

    SURFING

    People have been surfing in Mt. Irvine Bay Tobago, since the late 1960’s. Today the bay is the go to spot for surfing on the Island. There are other known surfing spots along the coast but Mt Irvine Bay, with its right reef break and waves reaching up to 12 feet high is frequented by locals and visitors.
    On the bay you can also find friendly surfing guides/instructors that can give you surfing lessons for a small fee, equipment provided.

    andre surfing in mt. irvine tobago

    FISH MARKET

    Mt. Irvine bay has a small fish market where you can buy fresh fish daily, from various vendors. Prices ranges between TTD $20 – $40 per pound of, Mai Mai, Tuna, Snappers, Barracuda, King Fish, Grouper, Trevali, etc.

    BEACH FACILITY

    Mt. Irvine beach facility provides access to toilets, showers, security, and beach cabanas for public use.
    A small fee of about $2 TTD may be required for toilet & shower usage.

    LIFEGUARDS

    Lifeguards are available and on duty 7 days a week from 10am-6pm. Safe swimming areas are marked with a Red & Yellow flag, while unsafe areas are marked with a Red flag.

    BOAT TOURS

    Coastal boat tours to the Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool, No man’s Land, and other hidden bays around the island can be arranged with Screamer Boat Tours. They also do fishing trips and private beach limes.

    LIMING

    You may find many locals liming or hanging out on the beach on a regular basis. Anchor Bar and Grill is open daily and they are located directly on the beach. They serve various drinks and cocktails, as well as grilled and fried food.

    SUNSETS

    Sunsets on Mt. Irvine bay can get very colorful and mesmorising, depending on the time of the year. Sunset normally happens between 6pm – 7pm daily.

    picture of mt. irvine bay in Tobago
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    Hillsborough Reservoir

    Hillsborough Reservoir, which was commissioned in May 1952, by His Excellency Sir Hubert Elvin Rance, then Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, is the only impounding reservoir in Tobago.

    The reservoir is located 870 feet above sea level, Hillsborough has a rustic beauty and an elegantly designed spillway which provides a safety outlet when the reservoir is too full. The reservoir has a maximum storage capacity of 1.02 million m³ and the water treatment plant located just below can produce up to 9,091m3 per day.
    Water from the reservoir serves areas such as Mt. St. George, Concordia, Whim, Mary’s Hill, Union and Les Coteaux.

    The raw water from the reservoir passes through two strainers that clear the incoming water of large debris such as branches, twigs and leaves before entering the chemical house. Aluminium sulphate (alum) is added to make the suspended particles of silt and mud in the water coagulate and form large and heavier particles that sink to the bottom of the sedimentation (or settling) basins. The water is then filtered through layers of sand and gravel, a process that removes fine particles still in the water. The final stage of the water treatment process is the addition of lime, to counteract the acidity of the water and the injection of chlorine to destroy any disease-causing bacteria.

    Construction of the Hillsborough Dam significantly changed the landscape but the catchment area and the reservoir still teem with an abundance of wildlife and a variety of flora.
    There are twenty-eight (28) species of birds documented at Hillsborough which will excite the interest of any bird watcher.

    WASA

    pictures of hillsborough dam in Tobago
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    October Carnival

    Tobago Carnival is an annual festival held on the island of Tobago. The carnival takes place in the month of october 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.

    Although the Tobago Carnival is a smaller and more traditional version of the larger Trinidad Carnival, which takes place on the neighboring island of Trinidad. The October Tobago Carnival still attracts a large number of visitors and locals each year, with events including calypso competitions, steelpan performances, and a grand parade.

    One of the highlights of the Tobago Carnival is the traditional J’Ouvert celebration, which takes place in the early hours of the morning. 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.

  • Forts

    Tobago has a rich history, and as a result, there are several forts located on the island that were built to defend against colonial powers. Some of the most notable forts in Tobago include:

    1. Fort King George: Built in the 18th century, Fort King George is the largest and most well-preserved fort in Tobago. It offers spectacular views of the island and the Caribbean Sea, and it now houses the Tobago Museum and the National Archives.
    2. Fort Bennett: Located on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Fort Bennett was built in the 17th century by the Dutch to defend against attacks from the French. It is now a popular spot for visitors to take in the breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding coastline.
    3. Fort James: Built in the early 18th century, Fort James was constructed by the British to defend against attacks by the French. Today, it is a popular spot for hiking and bird watching, as well as for taking in the scenic views of the coastline.
    4. Fort Granby: Located on a hill overlooking Great Courland Bay, Fort Granby was built in the 18th century by the French to defend against the British. It offers stunning views of the bay and the surrounding countryside.
    5. Fort Milford: Built in the late 18th century by the British, Fort Milford is located on a hill overlooking Scarborough and the Atlantic Ocean. Today, it is a popular spot for visitors to take in the panoramic views of the town and the sea.

    Overall, Tobago’s forts offer a glimpse into the island’s rich history and provide visitors with stunning views of the coastline and surrounding countryside. They are well worth a visit for anyone interested in history or looking for a unique perspective on the island.

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    Pigeon Point

    Pigeon Point is a popular beach and tourist destination located on the southwestern tip of Tobago, which is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea and part of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago.

    The beach is known for its soft white sand, crystal-clear waters, and scenic views of the nearby Buccoo Reef. The area has been developed into a beach resort with facilities such as restaurants, bars, changing rooms, and water sports equipment rentals, including kayaks, paddle boards, and jet skis.

    Pigeon Point is also a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving due to its proximity to the Buccoo Reef, which is home to a diverse array of marine life. The beach is accessible by car or taxi from the nearby Crown Point area.

    Pigeon Point is one of the island’s most known beach.
    The entire peninsula is also known as Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

    • Life guards
    • Security
    • Cabanas
    • Water sports
    • Shops
    • Restaurant & Bar
    • Entrance fee – $20.00 TTD for Adults, Kids $10.00 TTD
      under 6 yrs – free
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    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.

    picture of tobago's goat island
    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.

    image of little tobago
    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.

    image of tobago's queen's island
    Queen’s Island

    Richmond Island

    Richmond Island is located on the eastern side of Tobago outside of Richmond bay.

    image of richmond island in tobago
    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.

    image of sisters rock in tobago