The Most Charming Beaches in Tobago

On the leeward coast of Tobago, if you look carefully, you will find Englishman's Bay - a picturesque secluded beach which despite its lack of popularity among beach-goers is arguably Tobago's most beautiful beach destination. Counted among the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean by many travel magazines and websites, this beach is indeed a diamond in the rough. Located between Castara and Parletuvier about 1. 5 km past Castara, the beach is not visible from the Northside Road. Locating it requires a keen eye for a blue and white sign indicating a left turn. Follow the unpaved road to the end and there you will find the classic crescent shaped beach nestled between the thick tropical rainforest and the clear blue Caribbean Sea. The destination is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and camping. Chairs, umbrellas and snorkelling equipment can be rented. It is a nesting ground for the leatherback turtle and is a popular mooring spot for yachts. There is food on sale as well as local craft.

A 10-minute drive from the Arthur N. R. Robinson International Airport down Pigeon Point Road (also known as Milford Road Extension) will bring you to Pigeon Point - Tobago’s finest beach. This picturesque destination is the stuff that Caribbean post card photos are made of. With white powdery sands, fringed by swaying palm trees and bordered by calm reef-protected turquoise blue waters, Pigeon Point is perfect for relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. The jetty - a wooden boardwalk which extends from shore and ends with a quaint thatched-roofed hut with the backdrop of aquamarine water, is a signature image of this island and is said to be the most photographed jetty in the world. But before you can experience Pigeon Point you have to pay an entrance fee. Once that is done, you are free to enjoy the gently sloping beach or take a stroll to the park, enjoy a sunny picnic day, splurge on souvenirs, satisfy your hunger with local delicacies or sipping a cold beverage at the beach bar. Beach chairs, umbrellas, surf boards, scuba and snorkeling equipment, kayaks are available for rentals. Safe parking, washroom and seating facilities are also provided.

Castara is a small fishing community on the Leeward side of the island. Just above the community there is a lookout point with one of the most breathtaking views Tobago has to offer. It is known for its beaches Big Bay and Little Bay, also known as Heavenly bay. The beaches are shaded with numerous palms and coconut trees, the clear and and waters are great for snorkelling especially off to the Northern side. The fishing boats all lined off are a sight to see and there is always some friendly chatter from the fishermen nearby as they bring in their nets.

Parlatuvier Bay, located at the North Western end of Tobago, is another gem on the island. Its value, perhaps, is in the beach's golden sand but the overall landscape is what really makes the beach a beauty to behold. About 50 minutes drive from Scarborough, Parlatuvier Bay is a tranquil beach about 500 metres long. It is partly sheltered, so the water is quite calm with small lapping waves. However, the waves can be strong at times. Entering Parlatuvier Bay, the river meets the sea and visitors usually express pleasure bathing at the river mouth. Fishing is also part of the village livelihood so small fishing boats line the shore. The beach also has a jetty about 200 meters long. The beach is surrounded by the village with rugged rocks closing it in from the sea. The natural enclosure makes the beach ideal for swimming and snorkeling, but caution must be taken since the beach is tucked away and there is no lifeguard here. The water gets deep quickly and there is excellent jumping and diving from the jetty.

Located off the Grafton Road between Mt. Irvine and Black Rock in south west Tobago, Stonehaven Bay is great for snorkeling towards its northern end closer to the Grafton Beach Resort. If you are interested in turtle watching, then you are in luck as the Bay is one of the few destinations in Tobago where the leatherback turtle nests between the months of March and June. The attractive golden sands combined with the cool breezes coming off of the bay and the natural beauty of the location makes for the perfect setting for a intimate destination wedding.

For the sun-lovers, swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers - Batteaux Bay is the ideal place for you. This pocket shaped bay is one of the best well-kept secrets on the island of Tobago, protected by rocky headlands with flourishing trees atop. Though located on the windy side of the island, the bay has been spared the gusty winds and raging waves of the North Atlantic Ocean by Goat Island and Little Tobago located a few miles off shore. Accessed through the privately owned Blue Waters Inn which is located on the bay, the olive green water nestles at the front of the hotel providing the ideal intimate getaway for couples and dive sites filled with shimmering reefs and corals for divers and snorkelers.

At Mount Irvine Beach, the backdrop of the shoreline is always beautiful, whether at sunrise, sunset or any time in-between the skies are artistically painted with unmatched colour schemes. It is the perfect setting for an ordinary day at the beach or a special occasion like a wedding ceremony or photoshoot. The 800m (half-mile) stretch of beach has two sides. One is maintained by the local authorities and the other by the Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel, both sides are open to the public .The Northern end (maintained by the local authority) usually has high waves with surfing action between the months of November to April. Picnic huts are strategically placed with a panoramic view of the Bay. Looking across from under the comfort of a hut, one can hear the crash of the waves with faint sounds of laughter and music emanating from the on-site bar and restaurant. The side maintained by the Hotel also hosts a restaurant and bar There is a stack of rocks that plays the roles of a habitat for crabs, a natural divider for the beach and a point of adventure for any regular beach trip. Beyond the rocks, the area is excellent for swimming and sunbathing. The beach is characterised by the calm blue waves that lap at the tan sand that melts into the crevices of one’s toes. When one surrenders to the inviting charm of the Caribbean Sea, they will enter a world with a marine life as bright and colourful as a child’s imagination. Swimming along the shoreline is recommended for cautious swimmers and small friendly fish nip at your feet while you splash around in the water. Water sports like kayaking are available on the beachfront and beach-goers can head out in a kayak or snorkel and discover the coral, sponge and reef fish species abound in the waters around you. Beach amenities include washroom facilities, picnic huts outfitted with tables and seating, a car park, life-guards, two restaurants and bars. Roadside vendors selling locally-made craft and freshly-caught fish line Shirvan Road a short stroll away from the beach.

Nestled between Mount Irvine and Grafton lies a secluded patch of paradise. The adventure begins with the access the beach. The unmarked entrance is directly opposite Gleneagles Drive and visitors must park along Shirvan Road. After passing an abandoned estate property, prospective beach-goers begin a trek over a cliff side trail to journey to the beach set below the cliff of rugged rocks. At 500 metres in length, the Bay is short but one of the most beautiful beaches in Tobago. Large rocks spot the coastline while pretty small fish swim in the crystal clear waters close to the shore. Boulders on the western end make for an exciting snorkelling and scuba diving setting. A natural pool is filled with the tide as water flows in and out; a hidden spot that nature seems to have created just for two. There are no washroom facilities, lifeguards or restaurant and bars on this beach which is something to consider if you intend to spend all day lounging on the isolated beach. Though it is generally unpopulated, Back Bay is a favourite among bodysurfers and surfers as there are good bodysurfing waves.