Tobago highlights

Local culture

From harvest festivals to village dirt ovens; ‘ole time’ wedding reenactments to goat racing – Tobago loves its traditions. Use a guide/agency such as Phill Williams of Trinbago Tropical Tours & Excursions to really get under its skin (tttexcursions.com).

Hummingbirds

Spot these beauties up close at Shurland James Nature Park – and don’t miss its homemade ice cream. Also try the Hummingbird Gallery (newtongeorge.com) or Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve (adventure-ecovillas.com).

Birdwatching

You’ll find birds all over the island, but for more insight you’ll need a guide. Tobago has some worldclass ones, including Newton George (newtongeorge.com), William Trim and Zolani “Zee” Frank (zeetourstobago.com). Good spots include Main Ridge and the islands of Little Tobago and St Giles.

Snorkelling

Tobago’s reefs are in better shape than many other places, and snorkelling is widely available. One of the best spots is in front of Goat Island. If you don’t want to snorkel, try a glass-bottomed boat tour.

Bioluminescence Tour

Don’t miss out on a nighttime bioluminescence safari by kayak or paddleboard with Radical Sports (radicalsportstobago.com) or go by boat with Fish Tobago Tours (fishtobago.com).

Swim with horses

Whether you have previous riding experience or not, try a holistic horse experience with Being with Horses (being-with-horses.com).

Give back

The Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville (ERIC) offers reef-check experiences, dive courses, turtle-nesting beach patrols and other activities that help support the organisation (eric-tobago.org).

Further Information

Visittobago.gov.tt Dreamplantobago.com Wanderlust Off the Page – Our Untouched Paradise in Tobago podcast has insights into island traditions, culture and nature.

The author was supported by Visit Tobago.