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October Carnival

ByTobago Guide
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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.

Tobago Guide

Useful Information from locals, to help you have the best experience while on the island of Tobago.

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    Pulling Seine

    “Pulling seine” is a traditional fishing method used in Tobago and other parts of the Caribbean. The process involves a large net, called a seine, which is pulled through the water by a group of fishermen.

    To pull seine in Tobago, a group of fishermen typically launch a small boat or canoe from the beach and paddle out into the water. Once they have reached a suitable spot, they throw the net into the water and begin to pull it back towards the shore. As the net is pulled, it forms a large circle around schools of fish, which are trapped inside the net.

    Once the net has been pulled to the shore, the fishermen gather around and begin to haul in the catch. This can be a physically demanding process, as the net can be quite heavy and the catch can be quite large.

    Pulling seine is a traditional fishing method that has been used in Tobago for many years. While it is still practiced today, it is becoming less common as commercial fishing methods become more popular. However, some fishermen continue to use this method as a way to catch fish for their families and communities.

  • Water Sports

    Tobago, an island in the southern Caribbean, is known for its beautiful beaches and clear blue waters, making it a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. Some popular water sports activities in Tobago include:

    1. Scuba Diving: Tobago has some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean, with clear waters and an abundance of marine life, including turtles, sharks, rays, and colorful coral reefs.
    2. Snorkeling: With its clear waters and vibrant marine life, Tobago is a great place for snorkeling. Many of the island’s beaches have excellent snorkeling opportunities, including Buccoo Reef, which is home to a variety of marine life.
    3. Kayaking: Kayaking is a great way to explore Tobago’s coastline, with calm bays, hidden coves, and beautiful beaches to discover.
    4. Stand-up Paddleboarding: Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a fun and relaxing way to explore Tobago’s calm waters, with the added benefit of a full-body workout.
    5. Kitesurfing: Tobago’s consistent trade winds make it a great place for kitesurfing, with several spots around the island popular among kitesurfers.
    6. Jet Skiing: Jet skiing is a popular activity in Tobago, with several rental companies offering guided tours and equipment rentals.
    7. Windsurfing: Tobago’s trade winds also make it a great place for windsurfing, with several beaches around the island offering excellent conditions for the sport.

    Overall, Tobago has plenty of water sports activities to offer, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced enthusiast.

  • Blue Food Festival

    The Tobago Blue Food Festival is an annual event that celebrates the island’s unique culture and cuisine. The festival takes place in mid-October each year and is centered around the use of “blue food” in Tobagonian cuisine.

    Blue food refers to crops such as dasheen, cassava, and sweet potato, which have a blue or purple hue when cooked. These crops have been a staple in Tobagonian cuisine for centuries, and the festival is a way to showcase their versatility and delicious flavors.

    At the festival, visitors can sample a variety of dishes made from blue food, including soups, stews, pies, and desserts. There are also cooking demonstrations, live music, and cultural performances throughout the day.

    In addition to the food, the festival also features local artisans selling handmade crafts and souvenirs, as well as educational exhibits on the history and culture of Tobago.

    The Tobago Blue Food Festival is a fun and unique way to experience the island’s culture and cuisine, and it’s a must-visit event for foodies and culture enthusiasts alike.

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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
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    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.

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