Need to know

When to go

The dry season runs from January to June; this equates with high season. The rainy season is between July and December, and it usually takes the form of sharp, warm showers, so it is still a good time to visit. The island is south of the hurricane belt, so rarely gets hit. Leatherback turtles nest from March to May. Birdwatching is good year-round, though January to April sees the highest number of species.

Health & safety

Tobago is generally a safe country. Check with your doctor for any vaccinations you may require.

Getting there & around

British Airways (ba.com) flies from London Gatwick to Tobago twice a week via St Lucia. Flights cost from around £497 return and take 11 hours. Alternatively, combine with Trinidad and take a Caribbean Airlines (caribbean-airlines.com) flight or a ferry between the two. Taxis, local tours and rental cars are easy to arrange. Try hiring local guides/drivers (see p151) to get the most out of your experience.

Visas & currencies

Visas: Not currently required by UK nationals for stays of up to 90 days. Money: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$), currently TT$8.6 To the UK£.

Food & drink

Seafood is plentiful, including lobster. Many restaurants offer a catch of the day, which may be snapper, mahi mahi or kingfish. Dishes are often served with ‘ground provisions’ – potatoes, sweet potatoes or cassava. Dasheen (blue food) is a popular type of taro that is served here, with both the root and the leaves often used.

Carbon offset

A return flight from London to Tobago produces 935kg of carbon per passenger. Wanderlust encourages you to offset your travel footprint through a reputable provider. For advice on how to find one, please visit wanderlust.co.uk/sustainable-travel.

Where to stay

Castara Retreats is a fabulous treehouse-style eco-lodge overlooking Castara Bay. It’s self-catering but it also has a good restaurant. Rooms from £117pn; castararetreats.com

Cuffie River Retreat lets you relax and recharge while being tucked away and surrounded by nature. It has a saltwater pool and good food. Rooms from £121pn; cuffie-river.com

Adventure Eco Villas lets you sleep among tropical forest at the privately owned Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve. Villas from £110pn; adventure-ecovillas.com

Blue Waters Inn, Speyside, is a beach resort in north-east Tobago overlooking Little Tobago. Rooms from £155pn; bluewatersinn.com

Shepherds’ Inn is a small hotel with garden and pool near the airport. Rooms from £78pn; shepherdsinntobago.com

Coco Reef Beach Resort sits near the airport and some of Tobago’s bestknown beaches. Rooms from £214pn; cocoreeftobago.com