10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Tobago

1. Beautiful Beaches

Tobago is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean, with clear turquoise waters and white sandy shores. Popular beaches include Pigeon Point, Store Bay, Buccoo, Mt. Irvine and Englishman’s Bay.

2. Biodiversity

Tobago boasts a rich and diverse ecosystem with over 200 species of birds, marine life, and lush rainforests to explore. The island is also home to the world’s oldest protected rainforest reserve, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve.

3. Snorkeling and Diving

Tobago’s clear waters and coral reefs offer incredible snorkeling and diving opportunities, with colorful fish and marine life to discover. Buccoo Reef is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling and diving.

4. Watersports

Tobago is a great place to enjoy water sports such as windsurfing, kiteboarding, surfing kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

5. Culture and History

Tobago has a rich cultural history, with a mix of African, European, and Caribbean influences. There are several historical sites to explore, including Fort King George, the Tobago Museum, and the Heritage Park.

6. Food

Tobago’s cuisine is a fusion of African, Indian, and European influences, with fresh seafood and spices being a staple. Some must-try dishes include curried crab and dumplings, callaloo soup, and bake and shark.

7. October Carnival

Tobago’s Carnival is a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and color, with colorful costumes and energetic traditional performances. It’s separate and smaller from the main Trinidad Carnival. It’s and is usually held in late October (Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026) in Scarborough and other areas around the island. It features Jouvert (morning paint/mud mas), traditional characters, steelpan, and intense street parades of bands and people.

8. Relaxation

Tobago is a great place to relax and unwind, with many secluded beaches and tranquil spots to enjoy. Some popular spots include Pleasant Prospect, Charlotteville, Castara, and Speyside.

9. Wildlife

Tobago is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Tobago hummingbird, the Cocrico, and the endangered leatherback sea-turtle. There are several nature reserves and sanctuaries to visit, including the Tobago Cocoa Estate and the Little Tobago Island Bird Sanctuary.

10. Hospitality

Tobago is known for its warm and friendly people, who are always ready to welcome visitors and make them feel at home. The island’s laid-back and welcoming atmosphere is one of its biggest draws.

About 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.
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Activities | Reef

Glass Bottom Boats
Glass bottom boats are a popular way to explore the beautiful waters surrounding Tobago. These boats have a clear glass panel in the bottom that allows passengers to view the underwater world without getting wet.

There are several tour operators in Tobago that offer glass bottom boat tours. Some of the popular glass bottom boat tours include:
1. Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool Tour: This tour takes you to the Buccoo Reef, which is home to a variety of marine life, including colorful corals, fish, and sea turtles. After exploring the reef, the tour stops at Nylon Pool, a shallow sandbar in the middle of the ocean, where you can swim and snorkel.
2. Store Bay Reef Tour: This tour takes you to the Store Bay Reef, which is located close to the shore and is known for its vibrant marine life. The tour also includes a stop at the No Man’s Land beach, where you can relax and swim in the calm waters.
3. Glass Bottom Boat Adventure Tour: This tour takes you on a scenic journey along Tobago’s coastline, where you can admire the beautiful scenery and view the marine life through the glass bottom boat.
The glass bottom boat tours in Tobago are a fun and exciting way to explore the underwater world without getting wet.
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About Tobago | What To See

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

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About Tobago | What To See

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.

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Forts | Popular

Fort King George
Fort King George is a historic fortification located on the island of Tobago in the Caribbean. It was built by the British in the late 18th century, during their colonial period in the region.

The fort was constructed in 1779 on a hill overlooking the harbor of Scarborough, Tobago’s capital. Its primary purpose was to defend the island against French and Dutch attacks, as Tobago was a valuable strategic location in the Caribbean.

Today, Fort King George is a popular tourist attraction and historical site. Visitors can explore the fort’s ruins, including the barracks, officer’s quarters, and cannons. There is also a small museum on the site that houses artifacts and exhibits related to Tobago’s history and the fort’s role in it.

In addition to its historical significance, Fort King George offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including the Caribbean Sea and the town of Scarborough. It is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Caribbean history and architecture.

Fort King George is named after King George III of Great Britain.
The fort sits at the very top of Scarborough Hill (Fort Hill) with views of the Atlantic Ocean, Tobago’s capital town Scarborough and part of the south-eastern side of island.
- Preserved buildings
- Batteries
- Cannons
- Light house (old)
- Manicured Garden
- Museum
- Views of Trinidad
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About Tobago | Popular | What To See

Buccoo Reef & Nylon Pool
The Buccoo Reef is a crown jewel of Tobago’s marine life. It is one of the most accessible coral reefs in the Caribbean, it offers a window into a vibrant underwater world of fringing coral reefs.

The Buccoo Reef Marine Park

The reef is located on the western coast of the island of Tobago. It is a protected marine park and is one of the largest coral reefs in Tobago.

Glass Bottom Reef Boats

Visitors can take glass-bottom reef-boat tours to view the stunning array of marine life and coral formations that make up the fringing reef system. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular activities in the area.

What to Expect

The Coral Gardens

The Coral Gardens: A slightly deeper area of the reef, known for its stunning coral formations and diverse tropical fishes, that can be viewed through the glass bottom reef boats.

Nylon Pool

The Nylon Pool: A natural, waist-deep area in the reef that was named by Princess Margaret in 1962, who reportedly said the water was as clear as her nylon stockings.

Reef Sand Bank

The Sand Bank: This is a natural formation of sand deposited in a small area of the reef. It is sometimes visible depending on the tides and currents.

Bon Accord Lagoon

Bon Accord Lagoon: The Buccoo Reef borders the Bon Accord Lagoon, creating a complex ecosystem essential for the island’s sea life and mangroves.

Essential info
- Size – 2.7 mi²
- Type – Fringing Coral Reef
- Largest in Tobago
- Nylon Pool
- Coral Gardens
- Bon Accord Lagoon
- Reef boat tours
- Snokelling
- No mans land
Sun Protection: The sun reflects off the shallow water intensely. Wear reef-safe sunscreen or a rash guard to protect your skin and the delicate corals below.

Footwear: While the sand is soft, some areas near the reef can be sharp. Consider water shoes if you plan on exploring.

Booking Your Tour: Most tours depart from Buccoo Beach, Store Bay, or Pigeon Point. You don’t always need to book online; you can often find reputable local operators directly on the beach, but checking reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor or Instagram first is always a good idea.

Beyond the Reef: Local Culture
If you have time, many tours also stop at No Man’s Land, a secluded beach nearby. It’s the perfect place to relax after your swim, enjoy a local snack, and take in the view of the coastline

No man’s land

Overall, Buccoo Reef is a must-visit destination for anyone on the island of Tobago, offering a unique blend of natural marine beauty, adventure, and local culture.
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