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Spas
Le Grand Courlan Resort & Spa, Stonehaven Bay, t 639 9667
Facilities include sauna, steam room and a beauty treatment centre. Body massages based on Chinese, Egyptian, European and Japanese methods. Hydrotherapy, body wraps, mud masks and skin treatments,
Of our featured hotels, Blue Waters Inn offers spa services, which include aromatherapy massage and facials. |
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Special Interests
Tobago has really quite a lot to offer travellers with special interests, but particularly so in its natural life, both below and above the waterline.
The Scuba Diving is some of the best in the islands, particularly for experienced divers (there are good snorkelling tours for non-divers). There are some delightful diving lodges at the eastern end of the island. There is also great Nature, with more flora and animals than are seen on most Caribbean islands. The forest is excellent and can be explored with a number of excellent guides, who are listed under Hiking. The Birdlife is also supreme, second only to Trinidad in the whole Caribbean. There are over 200 species.
Carnival in Tobago is nowhere near as big and lively as its counterpart in Trinidad (not that anywhere else in the Caribbean is), but it is fun to attend if you are on island at the time, and of course you will hear all the music from Trinidad too, the calypso and the steel pan.
The Food and Cooking in Tobago is interesting, quite similar in many ways to the food of the Caribbean islands to the north, but also influenced by the spices of Trinidad. See details of Restaurants. If you need to work off your excess with some exercise, then there is a decent level of Sport on offer, including the hiking and mountain biking. There are a couple of good Golf Courses. Unfortunately, if you are more intent on being pampered, the island is not that advanced when it comes to its spas, and just a few practitioners offer Yoga and Holistic Activities, although Kariwak Village is a good place to stay if you want to be in a holistic environment.
With its extensive and less expensive villa product Tobago is a good place to take Children. There are not that many options for the solo traveller, but Tobago caters well for people looking for a Wedding or honeymoon, particularly in a villa.
Finally Tobago is off the beaten track when it comes to Sailing, but it does see quite a few yachts along the delightful coves of its northern shore. Many go there in the summer to avoid the hurricane season farther north. Only a few Cruise Ships put in to Tobago. |
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Sports
Watersports
The liveliest beaches for general watersports are Pigeon Point in the far west of the island and Mt Irvine Beach. Otherwise the larger hotels tend to have facilities for their guests.
KAYAKING Several hotels have sit-on kayaks, but an alternative and fun way to explore the north-eastern corner of Tobago is to take a half or full day kayak trip, either pure kayaking or a combination of land and sea which includes a rain forest hike, through Tobago Sea Kayak Experience, Charlotteville, t 474 7765, info@seakayaktobago.com
SNORKELLING
There are excellent snorkelling possibilities in Tobago (see also under Beaches). The most popular area is undoubtedly the famous Buccoo Reef, the island’s largest. A multitude of glass bottom and snorkelling boats head out to Buccoo Reef from Store Bay and Pigeon Point, stopping at the Nylon Pool for a swim on the way back – so called because the colour of the water reminded Princess Margaret (back in 1962) of nylon fishing line.
Buccoo Reef, which was designated a marine park in 1973, is a fringing reef with five reef platforms separated by deep channels. They enclose a shallow sandy reef lagoon and the mangrove-fringed Bon Accord Lagoon. Over the years the reef has suffered considerable damage and is not as impressive as it once was, however the Buccoo Reef Trust are working to rectify this, www.buccooreeftrust.org.
SPORTS FISHING
Tobagonian waters have the most sought after big game fishing in this area, largely due to the good size of the fish, which grow on the rich nutrients flowing from the waters from the Orinoco River in Venezuela. The offshore fishing season runs from October through June, but the biggest catches tend to be around between January and May. Deep water species include blue marlin, white marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dolphin (dorado), wahoo and shark.
There is also good coastal fishing in Tobago and some good inshore fishing. You can expect to encounter bonefish, permit, snook, king mackerel, barracuda, snapper, jack and grouper.
Currently the main event of the sportfishing calendar is at the end of March, when the Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament takes place out of Charlotteville, a picturesque fishing village located on Man O’War Bay, at the island's northeast end. There is excellent sport fishing off the eastern end of the island (and a small fish export industry too). Boats are available for charter for the tournaments. See www.tgft.com.
Hard Play Fishing Charters Ltd, t 639 7108/682 3474, www.hardplay.net.
Three boats run by Captain Gerard “Frothy” de Silva, who is an IGFA certified captain. A tag and release system has been set up for larger blue/white marlin and sailfish.
Dream Catcher Marine Charters, t 635 0655/680 7457
Captains Sheldon Wong Chong and Stephen Mohammed offer to take out fishermen.
SURFING
The surfing season runs between September and April, during which time the local surfing hotspot is Mt Irvine Beach.
See information about Scuba Diving, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing.
Land-based Sports
CYCLING
Track and road cycling have a good following in both Trinidad and Tobago, with the Arima Velodrome in Trinidad the venue for top meets. The Tobago leg of the Beacon Cycling Series (The West Indies v The World Cycling Series) takes place in April. The annual Tobago International Cycling Classic takes place in September, when there are island wide races.
You can also explore the island on a mountain bike. Two companies which offer good riding to suit different levels of fitness and experience, through mangrove wetlands to remote beaches and in the rainforest and along narrow ridges and switchback paths. Try Mountain Biking Tobago, t 639 9709, www.mountainbikingtobago.com and Tobago Slow Leak Mountain Bike Tours, t 635 0641, www.tobagomountainbike.com.
Both regular and mountain bikes can be rented from Sam Quamine, t 639 9479, located in Crown Point. Rates are from US$10 per day.
See information about Golf.
RUNNING
Always best in the early morning or evening. If you are out on the roads after sundown, then do be careful as there are few street lights and no paths to speak of.
TENNIS
The following hotels have tennis courts which (subject to availability) are available to non-resident guests for a fee:
Arnos Vale Hotel, Blue Waters Inn, Blue Haven, Crown Point Hotel, Le Grand Courlan Resort & Spa, Mount Irvine Bay Hotel, VHL Tobago Resort & Spa, Turtle Beach Hotel.
See information about Hiking and Horse Riding.
Spectator Sports
CRICKET
Cricket is almost an obsession in the British Caribbean. There is an international test ground in Trinidad, the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, but you will also see local matches being played in Tobago. Many villages have a cricket pitch.
Although no matches were played in Tobago itself, its sister island Trinidad was chosen as one of the venues for the ICC Cricket World Cup which was held in the Caribbean in March and April 2007. The island hosted six of the Group Stage matches in the early part of the competition at the test ground in Port of Spain. Trinidad also played host to four of the Warm-up matches before the official start of the competition, at the new Brian Lara, which was built at Tarouba, South Trinidad.
FOOTBALL
Football is a popular sport in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly so since the national team, the Soca Warriors, made it to the FIFA World Cup Germany in the summer of 2006. The game is played, along with many other sports, at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, which is named after the international football star, who comes from Tobago.
Other popular sports in Tobago include basketball, volleyball and netball. |
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Taxis
Official Taxis are identified by 'H' symbol, so it is advisable to stick to taking these rather than the private taxis. Fares double after 9pm and should be checked and agreed with your driver before setting off.
Crown Point Taxi Service (airport), t 639 0950
If you wish to take a tour by taxi, then the charge is US$25 per hour.
Transfer rates from Crown Point Airport for 1-4 persons, prices in US dollars and subject to change:
Crown Point area - $7
Scarborough - $16
Mt Irvine - $14
Stonehaven Bay - $14
Arnos Vale - $16
Speyside - $50
Charlotteville - $60 |
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Telephone
The International direct dial code for Tobago is +1 868, followed by seven digits. When on-island simply dial the seven digits, this includes making calls to Trinidad.
Many hotels offer Internet access, and e-mail facilities. If you are staying in a villa do check to see if the phone allows international calls, as some have debars, which will need to be lifted, and for which there is normally a deposit.
Cellular phones can be rented or a roaming feature can be added to your own mobile phone if compatible with the local network, TSTT. Note that you may have to dial the 1868 before the seven digit number to access the local network. |
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Time Zone
Tobago is on Atlantic Standard Time, which is four hours behind Britain in the winter (GMT) and five hours behind in summer when the northern hemispehere adopts daylight saving time (Tobago does not change its clocks).
From the USA: Atlantic Standard Time is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time during the winter, but on the same time in the summer when Daylight Saving Time is adopted. |
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Tour Operators
A number of tour operators (UK and Europe) and wholesalers (US) offer Tobago in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we pick out the cream of the bunch for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection, and sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Our recommended travel organisers that offer Tobago in their programmes include:
| | CaribtoursA lovely company that has not diluted its high standards of personal service for the sake of profit; excellent brochure; fairly priced holidays. Strong following of repeat clients, some famous, some infamous and others simply seeking consistently reliable service and value for money. | | CV TravelA long established villa holiday specialist with an extensive Caribbean programme. CV Travel offers a broad range of Caribbean villas of all sizes and prices in twelve islands, ranging from simple beachfront homes to substantial staffed villas, estates, even private islands. Also a selection of the region’s finest villa resorts and characterful hotels and inns. | | Just TobagoA true Tobago specialist, a small company with friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff, offering a broader portfolio of places to stay in the island than any other company, in all price categories, sizes and styles. | | Tropic BreezeA small and knowledgeable UK tour operator with a good depth of accommodation, particularly in the mid to upper price range, in twelve islands in the Eastern Caribbean, from the BVI down to Tobago. Tropic Breeze is friendly and offers tailor-made advice from long-time Caribbean specialists |
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Tourist Information
There are Tourism Information Offices located outside the arrivals terminal at Crown Point International Airport, t 639 0509 and at the Cruise Ship Complex in Scarborough, t 639 0934. The Department of Tourism of the Tobago House of Assembly is located at Sangster's Hill, Scarborough, Tobago, t 639 2125/4636, contact@visittobago.gov.tt
Outside Tobago, representatives of the Tourism Development Company Ltd (TDC) for Trinidad and Tobago are:
UK/Ireland, Holland & Scandinavia: Tourism Information Office-UK, Albany House, Albany Crescent, Claygate, Esher, Surrey, KT10 0PF, England. Free phone from UK 0800 804 8787, t 44(00) 137 2 46 9818 , trinbago@ihml.com
North America: Trinidad and Tobago Tourism, Tourism Solutions, 2400 East Commercial Blvd, Suite #412, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308, USA. T (954) 778 9595, jbgrossman@aoi.com |
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Tours of Tobago
If you would prefer to explore the island in the company of others and with a qualified guide, then there are guided tours. There are other options, under cycling, hiking, kayaking and horse riding.
Yes! Tourism t 631 0286,
Local incoming tour (THTA & T&TITOA) operator offering sightseeing and special interest tours by air-conditioned minibus. These might include a Rainforest Tour to the Gilpin Trace in the Forest Reserve, to Little Tobago, home to many different species of migratory and marine birds (includes snorkelling on Angel Reef), an island tour covering local villages and waterfalls and a true off-road trip, in which you will see some of the island’s extraordinary scenery close up. Also excursions to Trinidad and the Grenadines. |
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Water
Mains water is considered safe to drink in Tobago. It is treated spring water from underground wells. Bottled water is widely available in supermarkets and many brands are bottled on the island and in Trinidad, including Blue Waters, Crystal Waters, Blue Mountain, Dasani and Aqua Pur. |
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Weather
Temperatures in Tobago can reach 32ºC in summer. The dry season is generally Dec to May and wet Jun to Nov, with annual rainfall of around 40”. It can get quite humid in the rainy season. Tobago lies just outside the hurricane belt, and although this means that hurricanes happen very seldom, they have been known to occur in the area. Tobago was dealt a side-swipe by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. |
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Weddings
The beauty of choosing Tobago as your wedding venue is that you can get married pretty much where you wish, with the agreement of the presiding minister of course. With such freedom in mind, you can let your imagination run riot and you might chose a waterfall or river, a historical fort, a bird sanctuary or nature reserve, the rain forest, a botanical garden, a hill top, a boat or in a fishing village. Naturally if you prefer a more traditional setting you can choose to get married on the beach, the grounds of your hotel, or the privacy of your villa. A number of restaurants have very pretty gardens which are ideally suited for weddings, and you can then follow on with your reception and a wedding supper.
In order to ensure that things run smoothly and that your day is just as you would wish it to be, you should make your wedding plans at the same time as you plan your holiday. If you are booking via a tour operator, do discuss your requirements with them as you book, and if you are making your own arrangements, again, make sure that you contact your hotel, villa agent or the local co-ordinator for advice.
Most hotels have their own wedding packages, and some have dedicated wedding co-ordinators. For villa weddings, you will need to check that the villa of your choice will accommodate your wedding requests. A huge wedding reception or live band may not be possible. You will also find that villas require that their local manager or selected local wedding co-ordinator supervises the event. On Tobago we recommend that you contact Tobago Weddings, specialist Tobago wedding planners, who will organise everything to suit and liaise with your chosen accommodation provider, tour operator or travel organiser.
If you are considering getting married on Tobago, and prefer to be in a hotel or resort, we recommend Villas at Stonehaven and Plantation Beach Villas. Both these villa resorts have their own dedicated wedding co-ordinator and they are well experienced at organising everything to order. The Blue Waters Inn is also good at arranging weddings.
Your wedding plan is likely to include some of the following basics:
Licence & certificate
Bride’s & bridesmaid’s bouquet
Posy’s and buttonholes
Floral arrangements
Wedding arch or other decorations
Wedding cake (sponge, light fruit or local black cake)
Sparkling wine/champagne
Photographer
Video (NTSC system so need to convert)
Steel Band
Live Band
Transport
Hairdresser
Sunset cruise
Legal requirements for getting married in Tobago are:
In order to get a Special Marriage License, both parties must be non-residents of Trinidad & Tobago.
A period of three (3) clear days of residence must be established, commencing the day after arrival.
The following Original Documents are required from both parties:
Passports and airline tickets
Birth Certificates
If divorced, original or notarised copy of Decree Absolute.
If widowed, original Death Certificate of deceased spouse.
Deed poll or notarised proof of name change where name differs on documents.
Persons under 18 years must have documented consent from a parent or legal guardian.
The cost at present for the Marriage License is TT$337.50, payable in cash.
The marriage ceremony must be performed by a certified officer who will require a marriage license, which allows weddings to take place in a public place, on any day between 6am and 6pm. Licenses can be obtained from either the Registrar General’s Office or the Warden’s Office, in Scarborough. On applying for the license both parties will be asked to legally declare that they are single and free to marry.
Civil weddings i.e. those performed by a magistrate rather than a priest or a minister, can only be conducted at the Registrar’s Office.
Do think about the time of day that you choose, and what you are going to be wearing. Is it practical or comfortable to choose a rainforest setting if you have your heart set on full blown traditional attire and high heels? What about your guests? Does getting sand in your shoes bother you? Most weddings take place in late afternoon to avoid the heat and for the photos against the sunset.
Here are some notes on the best accommodation choices, including private villas, if you are thinking of getting married on Tobago: | Top O' Tobago
A delightful 2-bedroom hilltop Tobago villa and three cabanas set in six acres of tropical gardens overlooking Tobago’s north shore. Friendly, natural and quiet, in rural Tobago with excellent birdwatching and nature. Top O’ Tobago can be taken as rooms by independent travellers or as a whole villa for up to ten. | Kariwak Village
Small, environmentally friendly and holistic retreat set in lovely tropical gardens, a calm enclave in the busy west end of Tobago. 24 rooms, pool, healthy and excellent cuisine, yoga and Tai Chi programmes, 3 massage rooms, close to good beaches | Plantation Beach Villas
A delightful group of plantation style villas set in 2.5 acre hillside grove above Stonehaven Beach on Tobago’s north shore. Perfect for families, weddings and reunions, extremely friendly staff. | Villas at Stonehaven
A collection of 14 elegant and comfortable villas in French colonial style, set above Stonehaven Bay on Tobago’s northern shore with good wedding, honeymoon, golf and dive opportunities. | Villa Being
A striking villa of eclectic archectural design, with several linked pavilions set in extensive landscaped grounds with five acre organic fruit farm. Stunning sea views from a cliffside setting, good outdoor living space. | Mot Mot Villa
A delightful three-bedroom villa in modern plantation-house style, secluded on a hillside above Tobago's north coast. Lovely garden setting with extensive lawns, excellent bird-watching and wonderful west-facing sea and sunset views. Suits mature couples or families seeking complete privacy. Tidal beach below property. | Sugar Mill
A unique and utterly charming 4 bedroom property set in a replica 18th century sugar mill. Two bedrooms in the mill itself and two cottages, set in trees on a ridgeline high above Tobago's north coast. Excellent sea views and sunsets, ideal for romantics and as a honeymoon retreat. | Blue Waters Inn
A delightful small hotel in beach club style set in its own fantastically pretty, remote cove in north-eastern Tobago. Excellent scuba diving, excellent bird-watching at offshore islands, ideal for tranquillity in extremely pretty tropical surroundings. | Mandevilla
Lofty ceilings, generous living space and sophisticated style of furnishings give this 5 bedroom villa a contemporary, Caribbean ambiance. Set in a well landscaped garden on the edge of Mt Irvine golf course. | Canboulay
A vibrant plantation style 4-bedroom house with contemporary furnishings and décor set in landscaped gardens above the golf course giving a perfect venue for carefree tropical living. Popular with families and keen golfers. | Coral Sea Villas
A choice of 7 privately owned and individually furnished three bedroom villas with a Spanish-Caribbean flavour. Very well equipped with enclosed gardens, good outdoor living space and surrounding sun terrace. Will suit honeymooners, small wedding parties and families. | Seashell Villas
Popular collection of two storey, privately owned and individually furnished gingerbread style holiday homes. All are set in pretty enclosed gardens and have very good outdoor living space. Perfect and good value for families, couples, honeymooners and small wedding parties. |
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What to Pack
When heading out to the Caribbean consider taking the following:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach, enough to protect the shoulders; suitable beach and walking shoes; beach mat/towel; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites
Clothes - lightweight cotton clothing, with elegant/casual attire for evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require that men wear trousers and a shirt with a collar in the evenings. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during January and February, as evenings can sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
Consider also an adapter plug, film and batteries for your camera, toiletries including feminine items, your preferred brand of coffee or tea and a small torch. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification by customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents. |
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Windsurfing/Kitesurfing
From mid December to May-June the conditions for windsurfing are ideal in Tobago. The winds are on average 12-20 knots from east to north-east. In late spring they change to east to south-east and reduce to about 8-15 knots. A popular recreational beach, Pigeon Point has an excellent windsurf centre operated by Rikky Knowles of Radical Sports Ltd. The area is protected by Buccoo Reef offshore, and the relatively shallow waters of the Bon Accord Lagoon make it perfect for novices (July to December), however with some varied conditions in the area there is also some action for more experienced windsurfers.
Kitesurfing has recently come to Tobago, and the lagoon off Pigeon Point is of course ideal for this new sport, however experienced kitesurfers will find more adventurous conditions on the other side of the island, at Rockley Bay, at the VHL Tobago Golf & Spa Resort. Kitesurfing and windsurfing equipment is available for hire from Radical Sports Tobago, at Pigeon Point, who stock Mistral and Starboard boards with North and Tushingham sails. They also offer a range of other activities including parasailing, kitesurfing lessons, Hobie Cat sailing, kayaks, waterskiing, wake boarding and banana rides. t 660 7234, windsurf@radicalsportstobago.com |
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Yoga/Holistic Activities
If you are into holistic activities then you will find Tobago to be quite spiritual. The best place to stay is Kariwak Village, which has great facilities and a dedicated programme of yoga, Pilates, Qi-gong retreats that you can join either as part of a group or as an solo traveller. They are also good on complementary therapy and offer a range of treatments including holistic massage treatments, Reiki and reflexology. Other hotels will usually have someone on call from among the individual practitioners who will come to you for a private session at your hotel or at a villa.
Kariwak Village
Yoga, tai chi and stretch classes are held in the delightful, purpose built ajoupa which has a towering thatch roof and highly polished teak floors. The current timetable for the hour-long morning classes, all starting at 7.30am, is as follows: Monday – morning stretch, Tues - yoga, Wed - morning stretch, Thurs – yoga, Saturday - tai chi.
Yoga specialists include -
Ginny Plumpton, t 639 4346 yogacrypt@hotmail.com
Ginny has practiced and taught yoga for over 25 years and holds a British Wheel of Yoga Diploma. She offers Hatha and Astanga yoga at all levels. Her home is also open to visiting fellow practitioners in complementary therapies. Daily yoga classes both morning and evening
Jacqueline Quesnel, t 639 7296/685 9971, jquesnel@tstt.net.tt
Certified Deepak Chopra Health Educator and registered Hatha Yoga instructor, also a registered Nurse from Barry University in Miami Florida. She offers a series of Deepak Chopra courses: Integrative Yoga Therapy, the Magic of Healing and Primordial Sound Meditation. Jacqueline holds several classes in hotels that are open to outsiders. She is also happy to come to a villa.
PHOTOGRAPHY
DefinitiveCaribbean would like to thank the following for their photographic contributions to the TOBAGO ISLAND GUIDE: Blue Waters Inn, Manta Lodge, Villas at Stonehaven, Kariwak Village, Caribbean Estates Lands & Villas, and The Owners' Syndicate, James Henderson, Deana Bellamy and Feona Gray.
Picture Editor, Alexander Gray |
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