SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Observe the rich biodiversity of Tobago’s marine life by cruising through pristine waters on a glass-bottom boat and then snorkeling, if you wish. Upon arriving at Pigeon Point Beach, you will wade into the ankle-deep water just off shore and board a glass-bottom boat, your window to the world underwater. First, you will pass over a coral garden inhabited by brain, starlet and elkhorn corals. It will be an excellent prelude to what lies ahead at Buccoo Reef. Designated a marine park and no-fishing zone in 1973, the reef is relatively flat and the water shallow. Whether you decide to observe the marine life through the boat’s glass bottom or by snorkeling, you will surely see an endless parade of brightly colored tropical fish. You may also catch sight of endangered leatherbacks, green loggerheads and hawksbill turtles before heading off to Nylon Pool. While visiting in 1962, Princess Margaret named the idyllic pool for its shallow, translucent waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise through pristine waters and coral gardens in a glass-bottom boat.
• Enjoy a close-up view of the marine life, especially in the shallow waters at Buccoo Reef.
• Look for schools of brilliant tropical fish and the occasional sea turtle.
• Explore the underwater world in the translucent waters at Nylon Pool.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain a historical understanding of Scarborough at Fort James and then observe the diversity of Tobago’s tropical birds at a magnificent nature reserve. Constructed of coral stone in the 1800s, Fort James offers sweeping views of the sea, which is why it was the perfect spot for soldiers to watch for enemy invaders. A different perspective on the island awaits you at the Tropical Garden and Nature Reserve. It is a paradise for birdwatchers, especially those who love hummingbirds, as you will see different species of them darting from feeder to feeder. Many of the names reflect the hummingbirds’ markings and colors, such as the black-throated mango, ruby topaz, white-necked jacobin and copper-rumped, a species that perches in plain sight to aggressively defend its territory. Other species of birds are in abundance, too. Depending on where you wander, you may catch sight of blue tanagers, barred antshrikes and cocricos, the national bird of Tobago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Try to figure out the meaning of the odd epitaph inscribed on the Mysterious Tombstone.
• Take in the views from British-built Fort James while learning about its history.
• Observe all sorts of birds at the Tropical Garden and Nature Reserve.
• Watch a variety of colorful hummingbirds flitting about the grounds.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Ride in a glass-bottom boat through the crystalline waters off northeastern Tobago to the island of Little Tobago, one of the Caribbean’s most important seabird sanctuaries. You will board the boat at the Blue Waters Inn in Speyside. As you set out for Little Tobago, there is no telling what you may observe below the water’s surface, as the boat will cruise over sea fan gardens teeming with brightly colored tropical fish. Before long, you will arrive at Little Tobago, also known as Bird of Paradise Island. Although once a cotton plantation, the island has become a flourishing wildlife sanctuary for seabirds. More than 50 species live here, including laughing gulls, grebes, shearwaters and red-billed tropicbirds. The island’s name derives from the birds of paradise that were introduced here from New Guinea, when a thriving plume trade threatened their extinction. After strolling about the island, you may take a refreshing dip in the ocean.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle into a glass-bottom boat and observe a rich variety of marine life.
• Watch for seabirds on Little Tobago, an island that has become a bird sanctuary.
• Enjoy free time on Little Tobago and swim in the sea if you like.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See southern Tobago’s finest attractions, including favorites such as colonial forts and the island’s most scenic natural settings. Your first stop will be the Mysterious Tombstone, which bears a puzzling epitaph from the 18th century. It lies in the shadow of Fort James, a British-built fortress constructed with coral stone in the 1800s. The views are well worth a photo. The sights are just as impressive on the other side of Tobago, as you will see driving through the Mount Irvine Bay Golf Course, a green jewel carved from the grounds of an old coconut plantation. On the return to Scarborough, you will visit Fort King George, which sits on a cliff high above the ocean. Built by the British in the 1770s, it is the island’s best-preserved historical monument. Active until 1854, the fort displays weapons such as cannons on the grounds and in a small museum that was once the guardhouse.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View some of the most picturesque coastal and inland areas of Tobago.
• See two historical forts that attest to the fact that Tobago was repeatedly attacked.
• Enjoy gorgeous views from the beach at Store Bay on the island’s western tip.
• Drive through an emerald-green golf course built on a former coconut plantation.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delight in the exotic flora and fauna in the Tobago Rainforest Preserve, a virginal expanse that covers much of the northeastern island. Established in 1776, it is the oldest protected forest in the Western Hemisphere. Being a virgin rainforest, with trees soaring as high as 165 feet into the air, the preserve supports an incredible abundance and variety of rare flora and fauna. Each story of the rainforest contains different species, including exotic tree ferns, bromeliad-covered cycads, devilwood, parrot apples and spiny gru-gru palms. Accompanied by a well-informed guide, you may also see all sorts of colorful birds that might include blue-backed manakins, white-tailed sabrewings, yellow-legged thrushes and blue-crowned mot mots, which make their nests in tunnels. The beautiful collared trogon is another bird commonly found here, but it flies so rapidly that it is often difficult to identify. You are more likely to hear its plaintive call, a low mellow “caow caow.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pass one charming village after another on the way to the Tobago Rainforest Preserve.
• Hear how 18th-century plantation owners almost leveled the rainforest for its timber.
• Follow a naturalist guide that will point out the most fascinating flora and fauna.
• See all sorts of exotic palms and colorful birds in the rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience the natural beauty of Tobago with a short hike through a forest reserve to Argyle Waterfalls, where you may swim in the cool pools. You will first follow a naturalist guide through a low-mountain landscape that makes up the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. Established in 1776, it contains an abundance of unusual flora and fauna. You may see hummingbirds, butterflies, red squirrels and more, happily flitting and scurrying about. The flourishing bamboo and mix of trees such as mango, avocado and breadfruit make for an inviting backdrop that the naturalist will describe in detail. Before long, you will reach Argyle Waterfalls, a series of stepped cascades that rise 175 feet into the dense forest. Feel free to take a refreshing dip in the serene pools at the bottom. What a pleasure to float effortlessly on your back and gaze up into the tropical landscape, the waterfalls cascading down behind you.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through a forest reserve with a naturalist guide that will describe the flora and fauna.
• Look for hummingbirds, butterflies and tropical trees such as mangos and breadfruits.
• Swim in the refreshing pools below Argyle Waterfalls, the island’s highest cascades.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy the considerable highlights of Tobago, taking its colonial forts, natural beauty and a traditional folkloric show that describes early life on the island. The first stop will be clifftop Fort King George, the island’s best-preserved historical monument. Continuing on, you will stop at the Mysterious Tombstone, which bears a puzzling epitaph from the 18th century. It lies in the shadow of Fort James, a British-built fortress constructed with coral stone in the 1800s on the site of a picket post where soldiers watched for enemy invaders. The views are sweeping and well worth a photo. The sights will be just as impressive on the other side of Tobago, as you will discover while driving through the lushly landscaped Mount Irvine Bay Golf Course. Finally, at the Fairfield Cultural Centre, you will be greeted with a welcome cocktail before being seated for a traditional folkloric performance. Expect an energetic, exceptionally entertaining show as the costumed singers and dancers perform.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See two historical forts that attest to the fact that Tobago was repeatedly attacked.
• Enjoy gorgeous views from the beach at Store Bay on the island’s western tip.
• Drive through an emerald-green golf course built on a former coconut plantation.
• Watch an entertaining folkloric show that reveals Tobago’s traditional culture.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.