In
Tobago, the shortest distance between two points is a
curve. But that should not be a problem. Just lean back,
forget about time and enjoy Tobago at its own pace.
THE SOUTH
Scarborough — Plymouth — Crown Point
Arnos Vale Waterwheel and
Nature Park
Parts of the old 18th-century sugar factory but the
waterwheel that powered the mill has been restored and
enhanced with a nature park, a museum and gift shop,
restaurant and bar. Excellent bird-watching. Open daily
8.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.; tel. 660-0815, 639-2881/2
Adventure Farm and Nature
Reserve, Arnos Vale
A 12-acre estate on the Arnos Vale road. A
birdwatcher’s paradise. Apartments available.
Admission US$3; guided tour US$1. Open Monday to Friday 7
a.m. to 5 p.m. Tel. 639–2839.
Grafton Wildlife Sanctuary,
Black Rock
This bird sanctuary was once a cocoa estate; after the
hurricane of 1963 the owner took to feeding the wild
birds whose forest habitat had been damaged. After she
died, the estate was willed to her family on condition
that it remained a wildlife sanctuary. Trails into the
bush have been cleared for nature hikers.
Kimme Museum
A little way up the road past Mt Irvine Bay Hotel is the
workshop and gallery of the German sculptor Luise Kimme,
who has made Tobago a large part of her life’s work;
massive wooden blocks turn into graceful dancers, young
girls, lovers, mothers with children. Viewing on Sundays,
or by appointment (639–0257).
Mt Irvine Bay Hotel
A popular beach not only for hotelguests.
Watersport-equipments available here. Restaurant and bar
located on the beach.
Mt Irvine Golf Course
18-hole championship course attached to the Mt Irvine Bay
Hotel.
Buccoo Reef
A protected marine park at Pigeon Point/Store Bay (tours
also from Buccoo village), Tobago’s most famous
reef. Daily tours by glass-bottomed boats allow a view at
the reef life; snorkelling is easy here — boats
provide masks and equipment. The trip includes a swim in
the Nylon Pool, a warm shallow area in the middle of the
lagoon. Departures around 11 a.m. depending on the tide,
TT$45/US$10; tel. 639–8519. Please be very careful
not to damage the corals. The reef is nearly dead because
of careless fishing and tourism. Whole day visits with
beach BBQ to nearby No Man’s Land — a sandy
spit reaching into the lagoon — available.
Pigeon Point
Tobago’s most famous beach, white-sand idyll with
changing rooms,a restaurant and bar. Entrance fee TT$10
children TT$5.Tel. 639–8141.
Store Bay
Tobago’s most popular beach. Glas - bottomed boats
leave from here to Buccoo Reef; Local food is served in
the kiosks behind the beach. Vendors and craftsmen sell
handcrafts and other souveniers.
Fort Bennett, Black Rock
A beautiful view at the west coast.
THE WINWARD COAST
Scarborough — Roxborough — Speyside —
Charlotteville
Fort Granby
Only the grave of a young unknown soldier and a small
part of this fort, which once guarded Georgetown,
Tobago’s first British capital, remained. But the
sweeping view is worth a visit.
Richmond Great House
An elegantly restored plantation House from 1766, with
early 20th century furniture. It houses a collection of
African textiles and carvings, and is now a guesthouse
with restaurant. Guided tour TT$10. Tel. 660–4467.
Argyle Waterfall, near
Roxborough
A three-tiered waterfall near Roxborough, with deep cool
pools for swimming. Ask for official guides (TT$15)
— Tourists get robbed here already. Entrance fee,
payable at the ticket office: TT$20.
Louis d’Or Nurseries,
near Roxborough
The Nurseries house a wide range of flowering plants and
shrubs, tropical fruit trees, etc. Open daily; no
admission fee.
Speyside
A paradise for divers. The best dive-sites of Tobago with
dive-shops, guesthouses, hotels and restaurants.
Glas-bottemed boats leaving from here to snorkel-tours
and Little Tobago Island.
Little Tobago Island
Facing the village of Speyside, this small offshore
island is one of the most important seabird sanctuaries
of the Caribbean. The Red-billed Tropicbirds are
spectacular from October to June. Tours (10 a.m. and 2
p.m., TT$70) can be arranged through Blue Waters Inn or
Speyside Inn, or by negotiating with one of the fishermen
in Speyside.
Flagstaff Hill
The northern tip of Tobago. During World War 2, it was a
American military lookout and radio tower. The view is
panoramic. Sunsets from this spot are spectacular.
THE NORTHSIDE ROAD
Scarborough — Moriah — Bloody Bay — Main
Ridge
18 Witch’s Grave,
Golden Lane
In Golden Lane is the grave of Gang Gang Sara; according
to legend, she was an African witch who flew to Tobago
centuries ago and was unable to fly back because she had
eaten salt.
Castara, Parlatuvier, Bloody
Bay, L’Anse Fourmi
The villages of the north coast are extremely
picturesque, with small houses and sheltered blue bays.
Nature-lovers Paradise. The most beautiful and secluded
beaches of Tobago are located in this area.
Castara village
Castara is a fishermen village with only a few small
guesthouses and restaurants. It's a ideal place for
nature-lovers. Rainforest tours through the nearby Nature
preserve are perfect to start from here. Sealevel
Guesthouse is organising individual, guided tours. Tel.
660 -7311.
Englishmens Bay
The Englishmens Bay is a protected nature preseve with no
village. It's just a lovely beach for swimming, snorkel
and hicking, worth a day-trip. Please do not leave
anything valuable at the beach or in the car.
Main Ridge Forest Reserve
The mountainous spine of Tobago supports the oldest
forest reserve in the western hemisphere: it was
established in the 1760s, shortly after the island fell
to the British. Trips into the rain forest on the
Gilpin/Niplig Trail are offered by most tour operators.
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