DISCOVER TOBAGO’S SPECTACULAR WILDLIFE
Meet the diverse wildlife of this unspoiled Caribbean isle, blessed with rainforest, reefs and glorious white-sand beaches
AT THE CARIBBEAN’s south-easternmost corner, where the broad arc of the Lesser Antilles kisses South America, lies a concentrated kernel of biodiversity. The compact island of Tobago spans a mere 116 square miles but hosts more than 1,770 species in its varied habitats: whitesand beaches, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, seabird-city islets and highland rainforest swathing much of the north-east – which, in October 2020, was designated a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
Tobago shares alluring attributes with its Caribbean neighbours. Bath-warm turquoise waters lap golden strands shaded by swaying palms, while Tobago’s wealth of traditions, music, dance and cuisine reflect a cultural melange of African and Indian heritage. Yet it remains relatively untouched – ripe for discovery by wildlife-lovers.
RESERVED BY NATURE
Jewel in the island’s birding crown is Main Ridge Forest Reserve, the oldest tropical rainforest reserve in the western hemisphere. Wander its network of paths – perhaps the Gilpin Trace, or quieter Spring Trail – through nearly 4,000 hectares of lush forest, and you’ll spy many of Tobago’s 260 bird species. Watch for the shimmering emerald plumage of the white-tailed sabrewing, rarest of the island’s six hummingbird species, along with the vivid blue tailfeathers of the Trinidad motmot. You might also encounter the bright-red breast of the splendid collared trogon, which often perches obligingly on branches in the reserve, or the beautifully patterned boa constrictor, known locally as the macajuel, growing to 4m long. Elsewhere, wetlands including Hillsborough Dam and the unpromisingly named Sewage Ponds are home to herons, grebes, ibis, ducks and basking caiman.
SUBMARINE SPECTACLES
Life thrives under the waves – when it’s not emerging to create more: on nights between March and August, leatherback turtles clamber onto Tobago’s northwest beaches to nest. Green and hawksbill turtles also glide through surrounding waters, where divers fin alongside behemoths such as manta rays and, off the northern tip near Speyside, the world’s largest brain corals grazed by colourful parrotfish and kaleidoscopic reef species. Off the southwest coast, the stars are much smaller – constellations of dinoflagellate plankton that create bioluminescent displays in Bon Accord Lagoon, providing an unforgettable stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking adventure.
EYES FORWARD
Tobago was an early recipient of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, recognising its introduction of rigorous safety and hygiene protocols. Other efforts to nurture sustainable tourism after the Covid crisis eases include a major accommodation upgrade programme, progress towards Blue Flag certification for beaches, and work to protect and restore coastal ecosystems. Now’s the time to plan your wildlife-watching expedition to Tobago.
Visit Tobagobeyond.com for the best wildlife and birding locations. To book, visit ba.com/Tobago