About Tobago

  • Pleasant Prospect

    Pleasant Prospect is a small hilly village, located between three popular bays, Mt. Irvine Bay, Back bay (Rockly Point) and Stone-haven bay, also known as Grafton bay. The village also borders the caledonian sanctuary and nature reserve.

    Local Amenities

    • Grocery Shops
    • ATM Bank Machine
    • Restaurants
    • Bars
    • Guesthouses
    • Small Play ground
    • Beaches
    • Turtle Nesting
    • Public Transport
    • Nature Reserve
    • Mountain-bike Tours
    • Pizza Boys

    Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary

    The bird sanctuary is no longer maintained but bird feeding by the caretaker can sometimes be observed. The entire nature reserve comprises over 200 acres of protected land that was formally part of a coco estate owned by Eleanor Alefounder. The main purpose of the nature reserve is to promote the native flora and fauna of the island.

    Mt Irvine Bay

    picture of mt. irvine bay in Tobago
    Mt. Irvine Bay
    andre surfing in mt. irvine tobago
    Sufing Mt Irvine – Andre
    anchor bar mt. irvine tobago
    Anchor Bar & Grill
    Mt. Irvine Bay

    Mt. Irvine bay is very popular beach in Tobago for locals and vistors, and especially surfers. There are cabanas, food outlets, beach bar and a fish market and well as a beach facility with security and lifeguards.The bay is part of the extended Buccoo Reef System with small patches of coral reefs that are great for snorkelling and the Mt. Irvine Wall for scuba diving. Mt. irvine is the most popular Surfing spot in tobago with a Right Break over coral rock bed.

    Stone Haven Bay (Grafton Bay)

    Stone Haven Bay
    Grafton Bay

    Stone Haven Bay is also know as Grafton Bay is a popular sea turtle nesting site and home to the Grafton Resort and Waves restaurant and bar. This bay is popular with large groups and for exercising. Seine pulling (Net fishing) can be observed at times. No facility, security or lifegurds available.

    Back Bay (Rocky Point)

    Nesting Leatherback Turtle
    Back Bay Sunrise

    Back bay which is officially known and Rocky Point is a beautiful semi-secluded bay that is popular for nesting leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles. Back bay is very scenic but the waters can get very strong with big waves and powerful currents. The bay is popular with families, beach limes and couples. No facility, security or life guards available.

    Links

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    Scarborough

    Scarborough is the capital city of Tobago, a small island nation in the Caribbean. Located on the southwestern coast of Tobago, Scarborough is home to approximately 17,000 people and serves as the administrative and economic center of the island.

    One of the main attractions in Scarborough is Fort King George, a historic fortification that was built by the British in the 18th century. Today, the fort houses several museums and galleries that showcase the island’s history and culture.

    Scarborough is also home to the Market where visitors can purchase fresh produce, local crafts, and other goods. The city is also known for its lively nightlife, with numerous bars, restaurants, and nightclubs offering a range of entertainment options.

    Other notable attractions in Scarborough include the Botanical Gardens.
    With its mix of history, culture, and natural beauty, Scarborough is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Tobago.

    Scarborough became the capital of Tobago in 1769. Scarborough’s deepwater harbour was built in 1991; before that ships would anchor offshore. The estimated population of Scarborough is approximately ~18K.

    Local Amenities

    • Coast Guard. Police. Fire Services
    • Public Washrooms
    • Public Library 
    • Health Center
    •  Ferry Service
    •  Schools
    • Guesthouses
    • Security
    • Local Market
    • Restuarants & Bars
    • Food Vendors/Craft shops
    • Public Transport
    • Off Road Parking
    • Banks and Credit Unions
    • Supermarkets, stores, hardwares

    Battle of Scarborough 1677 – Before being called Scarborough, the area was called Lampinsburg by the dutch with the bay of Scarborough being called Lampins bay also known as Roquely Bay (Rockly Bay). The Dutch built a fort on top of a nearby hill which is known today as Dutch fort hill in down town Scarborough. In February and December of 1677, the Dutch and French both wanted control of Tobago which lead to a bloody battle in Scarborough bay and on dutch fort hill which resulted in the death of thousands, including French and Dutch women and children and African slaves. Three hundreds years later and the remains of up to 20 warships and their undiscovered artifacts are still in the muddy bottom of what is now Scarborough harbor.

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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

  • Districts of Tobago

    Tobago was previously divided into seven (7) parishes while under colonial rule. 

    • Saint Patrick
    • Saint Andrew
    • Saint David
    • Saint George
    • Saint Mary
    • Saint John
    • Saint Paul

    In 1980 the Tobago House of Assembly replaced this system with twelve (12) local electorial districts and seats in the assembly.

    • Bacolet/Mt. Saint George
    • Goodwood/Belle Garden
    • Bethe/Mt. Irvine
    • Black Rock/Whim/Spring Garden
    • Buccoo/Mt. Pleasant
    • Canaan/Bon Accord
    • Lambeau/Signal Hill
    • Parlatuvier/L’Anse Fourmi/Speyside
    • Plymouth/Golden Lane
    • Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah
    • Belle Garden East/Roxborough/Deleford
    • Scarborough/Calder Hall

    In 2021 an additional 3 seat were added making it 15 electorial districts.

    Tobago is comprised of 15 electorial districts that are represented by seat in the Tobago House Of Assembly.
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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