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Tobago is the dependency of the Caribbean island of Trinidad, known as the birthplace of the steel pan.
It covers a landmass of 116 square miles. Oil and petroleum products provide the main income earner for the country.
Tobago is home to Kelleston Drain which is the world’s biggest brain coral.
In this post, we explore the top 5 beaches to visit if you are in Tobago on a cruise.
These are near the cruise port terminal for ease of access on the island.
Back Bay Beach is the nearest to the cruise port in Scarborough but this beach is very secluded. Nevertheless, both Store Bay Beach and Pigeon Point Beach are about 20-25 minutes from the cruise port by taxi. These are the most popular locations with visitors. Amenities are widely accessible.
1. Back Bay Beach
This private location is not one visited by many individuals but is located about 10km from the cruise port.
The beach is 500m long with an obscure path near an abandoned estate as its access point.
There are no amenities such as lifeguards, washrooms and food stalls and hence you should consider this when planning your beach visit.
Nevertheless, the location is excellent for snorkeling, scuba diving and body surfing.
Visitors to Tobago may avoid this location as its obscurity may come with a measure of security risk.
2. Mount Irvine Bay Beach
This beach is truly a gem located near the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel. Spanning 800 metres, the beach is unique in that it has two sides.
One side is maintained by the local authorities and the other by the hotel. Nonetheless, visitors has uninterrupted access to both sides.
Mount Irvine Bay Beach is an excellent location for snorkeling, sunbathing and swimming. During the months of December and March the spot is also great for surfing.
The presence of the hotel adds to the comfort and amenities of this location.
There are restaurants, excellent parking, no entrance fees, beach chair rentals, bars and picnic huts which make for a relaxing day at the beach.
This location is very popular on the weekends with the locals so if you are visiting Tobago, expect there to be a crowd.
3. Store Bay Beach
Store Bay Beach is 200 meters but is one of the most popular locations in Tobago due to its calm and gentle waters.
The beach is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the Port of Scarborough and about three minutes’ drive from the A N R Robinson International Airport in Crown Point.
There are amenities available at this site such as food stalls, individuals selling souvenirs, beach chair and umbrella rentals and boat tours to make your day at the beach unforgettable.
This location is breathtaking to admire the sunset and due to the fact that it is widely admired, expect there to be a crowd on weekends.
4. Pigeon Point Beach
Pigeon Point is one of the best beaches in Tobago and is located about eleven minutes’ drive from the A N R Robinson International Airport.
There are many major hotels on the island near this location.
The beach is found only 14 km or 25 minutes’ drive from Port of Scarborough.
Pigeon Point Beach is loved for its white sand, turquoise waters and gentle waves.
There are amenities such as lifeguards and food stalls.
Beach chairs, surfboards, umbrellas, scuba and snorkeling gear, and kayaks are also available for rentals. Washroom, safe parking and seating amenities are also offered.
If you desire that perfect Instagram photo, a wooden jetty stretching from the coast with a thatch roof at the end is known to be the most photographed jetty worldwide.
A short distance from Pigeon Point Beach is Buccoo Reef. This reef is loved due to its spectacular underwater life.
Individuals who love snorkeling and diving must visit this location. There is a USD$3 entry fee to maintain the amazing facilities at Pigeon Point Beach.
5. Englishman’s Bay Beach
This location on the Leeward side of the island is perfect for persons who enjoy swimming and snorkeling in an unspoiled environment.
The beach is found approximately 24 km away from Port of Scarborough
Englishman’s Bay Beach does not have the range of amenities as Pigeon Point Beach such as lifeguards and food stalls.
Nevertheless, Eula’s Restaurant & Souvenir Shops is at the location which serves typical Caribbean dishes such as stew chicken, provision and rice and peas.
Counted as one of the ten best beaches in the Caribbean by numerous travel websites and magazines, this seaside is a diamond in the rough.
Beach Chairs, umbrellas and water sporting gear can also be rented.
Englishman’s Bay Beach is known as a nesting area for the leatherback turtle and is a renowned mooring place for yachts.
5. Parlatuvier Bay Beach
Located on the Northwestern end of the island is this horseshoe shaped beach which is 26km from the cruise port.
The water is calm and peaceful with 500m of shoreline. There is a fish jetty where you can often find local fishermen selling their catch.
The spot is sheltered which makes the waves gentle and hence suitable for small children.
However, at times there could be undercurrents and therefore due care and diligence must also be exercised.
There are no lifeguards at this location. Nevertheless, there is an area that looks onto Parlatuvier Bay Beach which provides a breathtaking spot for photographs. So do not forget to walk with your camera.
Final Thoughts
Tobago is loved by persons seeking a quiet and relaxing vacation experience as the destination is relatively untouched and unspoiled when compared to mainland Trinidad.
Persons who visit Tobago often describe it as very similar to the neighboring island of Grenada.
Visitors to Tobago will get to experience its majestic waterfalls, extraordinary dive sites and rainforest hiking trails.
If you are searching for vibrant nightlife and entertainment a short ferry ride over to Trinidad can provide this option
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