Reefs and Nylon Pool

Rich and colourful shallow water reefs surround Tobago, making it easy for you to explore the island's spectacular aquatic communities by scuba diving or snorkeling from shore.The reefs are home to over 300 different species of coral, including staghorn, elkhorn, fire coral, giant tube sponges and starlet coral. There is also a broad range of reefs, rock pillars, wrecks and extravagant undersea gardens filled with giant sea fans, whips and plumes. 

Remarkable sites exist off Speyside, Little Tobago and Goat Island on the northeastern side of Tobago where you can drift dive along reefs with sponges the size of bathtubs and bushes of black coral. On the southeast coast are the exceptionally clear Nylon Pool and Buccoo Reef National Park.

Speyside Reef

Speyside is a village in northern Tobago within Saint John Parish. It lies on the leeward coast, across from the island of Little Tobago (for which it is a departure point), 26 km northeast of Scarborough, overlooking Tyrrel's Bay. At the census of population in 2000, the town had a population of 59. Speyside has some of the best coral reefs on the island of Tobago, and is a popular dive site. The reefs are less disturbed than the more famous Buccoo Reef in southwestern Tobago.

Buccoo Reef

Buccoo Reef, demonstrates one of the most spectacular reefs in the world, now under protection as a marine park, and is a magnet for scuba diving, snorkeling and sustainable fishing. Tours in a glass-bottomed boat ensure that even the less active will be able to marvel at this undersea wonderland of colorful coral and tropical fish. 

http://www.viator.com/Trinidad-and-Tobago-attractions/Buccoo-Reef/d39-a2486

Nylon Pool

Nylon Pool is an in-sea shallow white ground coral pool in the middle of the ocean that is located off Pigeon Point, Tobago, and is accessible by boat. Its name is derived from its resemblance to a swimming pool. It is close to the Buccoo Reef. The warm, shallow waters of the natural “Nylon Pool”, named by Princess Margaret for its translucent waters, make for one of the great swimming spots of the Caribbean.\

Manta Reef

In Tobago, the snorkeling of Manta Reef is well known for its giant manta reefs and manta rays. During the months of March to July, Manta Reef is the place to see giant rays, although divers also encounter dolphins, marine turtles and sharks. The shallow water reef surrounding is a very popular snorkeling destination. 

These waters are filled with great diversity of reefs, rock pillars, wrecks and endangered underwater gardens filled with giant sea fans whips and plumes.

Touched gently by time

Turtle watching 

Leather-back sea turtle watching in Tobago gives you the chance to travel back, to a time before dinosaurs and witness a struggle for survival that's been going on for over 220 million years

Leather-back sea turtles nest every 2 to 3 years, returning up to 6 times a nesting season to deposit broods of between 80-100 tennis-ball size sea turtle eggs on each visit, 70% of which will hatch in between 60-70 days, just prior to dawn.

It's also amazing when you witness leather-back sea turtle hatchlings, newborn babies about the size of a young teenagers hand, as they scamper down the beach early on a cool Caribbean morning, and slip away into the tumbling surf to make their way seaward into an environment that is becoming increasingly hazardous to their health, making it extremely difficult for them to survive until adulthood. Only 1 in 1,000 will return to the Tobago beaches.

Protected and Preserved

The Rain Forest Reserve

The Main Ridge is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, which falls under the Tobago House of Assembly. Qualified foresters are present to escort visitors to the interior of the Main Ridge. The area receives about 15,000 eco-tourists per annum.

The oldest protected rain forest in the Western Hemisphere. Protected by law since 1776, Tobago's Main Ridge Forest Reserve is spread over the island's mountainous spine. Nature trails will allow you to explore the forest's diverse flora and fauna

A unique feature of about the fauna of Tobago is that although Tobago is an island, the fauna are continental in origin, since Tobago was once joined to the South American continent some one million years ago. Considerable endemism has resulted; for example, 31% of the birds that nest on Tobago are endemics. Support of this unique biodiversity and exceptionally diverse ecosystem is of great value to humanity. In addition, it protects against soil erosion, it encourages rainfall and provides significant carbon sinks

After the 1963 hurricane Flora, many of the flora and fauna populations dwindled or disappeared. The Sabrewing Hummingbird is one of the species that has been recovering since the incident. The bird was declared an Environmentally Sensitive Species by Trinidad and Tobago's Environment Management Authority in 2005. The ridge is also home to the ocellated gecko, an animal that is not found anywhere else in the world.

The Main Ridge is literally the backbone of the island, Gutting length-ways across two thirds of Tobago's surface. It encompasses 3958 hectares (9780 acres) of tropical rain forest specifically lower montane, lowland and xerophytic rain forest - and reaches a height of 604 metres. The majority of the forest reserve is lower montane, and is found at heights above 244 metres. 












This area receives the greatest amount of rainfall, the greatest exposure to wind and the lowest temperatures, making it an Evergreen Forest. The lowland rainforest is characterized by copious growth and is said to be the most prolific of all forest types, occurring here to a maximum of 366 metres. The xerophytic rainforest is found on the southern slopes of the Forest Reserve at heights above 244 metres, and is the driest compared to the other types.

Historically the Caribbean has not been in the forefront of conservation issues, and this has resulted in the extinction of many species. The Caribbean was originally under 229,549 km2. of tropical rainforest, but this has dropped by 90% to 22,955km2. The website www.biodiversityhotspots.com says this about Caribbean biodiversity: "In general the Caribbean Islands emerge as top priority for the expansion of the global protected areas network." With global rainforest cover disappearing at the rate of 80,000 acres (32,300 ha) per day (according to rainforestsmongabay.com), it becomes more critical for these singular areas of biodiversity to be protected.

Untouched terrains

Petit Trou Lagoon

An amazing wetland with boardwalk through the mangrove, stone ruins of sugar mills on the golf course.....all inside Tobago Plantations Beach and Golf Resort

Bon Accord  Lagoon

The Aerial Coastline

Step into our world

What differentiates us from the rest........

Harvest 

Tobago is an island that still retains much of its rural charm, even residents in the more urban areas are known to give that warm smile and stop for a chat, lend a hand to an absolute stranger. The Harvest Festival captures that warm community spirit and renders it into song. For those of us new to the Harvest scene, you should know that a harvest is a day upon which the entire community gathers together to give thanks. There is usually a church service where thanksgiving is offered followed by a village fair atmosphere. People stop by their neighbors and partake of specially prepared dishes from island staples to favorites.

Fisherman Fete (Festival)

June is the month when the Charlotteville and Speyside Fisherman's Fete takes place on Tobago's beautiful Man O' War beach and this really is just an excuse for a party celebrating the villagers hardworking fishermen.

Blue Food Festival 

The coastal village of Bloody Bay will once again be the destination of choice for epicureans as thousands make their way to the community’s recreational grounds for the annual Tobago Blue Food Festival in October.

visittobago.gov.tt/blue-food-festival

The Blue Food Festival provides a unique twist on the traditional culinary event with a focus on the commonly used ground provision, dasheen. Low in sodium and gluten-free, the root crop will be the inspiration for twenty-five cooks who will create dynamic, tantalizing dishes that are not only tasty, but healthy as well.

The Other Side of Tobago

Tobago is an island small enough to feel cozy but large enough to offer a diverse tropical experience that visitors can experience when they get away. Whatever your personal preference you really can’t imagine Tobago unless you have really experienced Tobago.

Tobago Tales

Tobago is ideal for excursions, you can wander alone or with the right companions make the absolute difference. Although 40 km long and 10 km wide Tobago offers an endless treasure trove of activities to enjoy, places to explore and people to meet. 

- The Tobago Heritage Festival

A particular favourite for many on the island's calendar of events is the Tobago Heritage Festival, which is held over a two-week period towards the end of July, throughout the island.

www.tobagoheritagefestival.com

Moriah Old Time Wedding 

Traditional Folk performances

- The Tobago Jazz Experience 

Staying true to its promise of offering “much more than music” however, the Tobago Jazz Experience incorporates the cultural and historical practices that define the island of Tobago as an ideal destination.

www.tobagojazzexperience.com

A musical collage of entertainment from both international and local stars throughout the island

The Buccoo Goat and Crab Racing Festival

The village of Buccoo, Tobago, can be described as the goat and crab racing capital of the world. During the Easter holidays this little village draws crowds of curious onlookers as specially trained goats sprint towards the finish line followed by jockeys clutching long ropes.

 

In the crab race, jockeys have no easier task as they attempt to prod the stubborn crustaceans towards the finish line. But there is no glory for the winning crabs, just a place in a pot of spicy curry sauce.

Tropical Delights

Most people tend to think of Tobago as the "Capital of Paradise", where resorts of pleasure, some beautifully crafted by nature and dutifully tended by artful human hands offer refreshment for the spirit as much as the eye.

World renowned waters of Pigeon Point 

Tobago is the definitive vacation hot spot all year round. Allow us to tell you what this decorated island has to offer for the eyes of the perspective visitor.

Welcome to Paradise......hope you enjoy your stay!