11 of the Best Experiences and Things to Do in Tobago

This is one of many serene destinations in the tropical paradise that is Tobago. Located just south of Buccoo Reef, you can relax in the soft white sand bordering the thigh-high turquoise waters. If you can't resist the urge to go in, you can float in the still lagoon, with the deep blue ocean on one side and a palm-fringed beach on the other. Locals claim the water here has the ability to rejuvenate anyone lucky enough to swim in it. Accessible by glass-bottomed boat from Store Bay and Pigeon Point, the area was named by Britain’s Princess Margaret in 1962, who likened it to the transparency of nylon, when she spent her honeymoon there. And it remains today a popular idyllic destination for couples and families alike.

At 175 feet (54 metres), Argyle, Tobago’s highest waterfall attracts locals and foreigners to its cascade of cool, crisp water that flows down from three dramatic levels. Located on the northeast side of Tobago, the falls are just outside Roxborough, on the Scarborough road (only a few hundred metres from the road to Bloody Bay along the Caribbean coast). The Roxborough Visitor Service Co-op office serves as the entrance. Encircled by lush green foliage, the waterfall is accessed after a 15-20 minute trek along a clearly marked trail. Along the way you are greeted by butterflies and a variety of birds. But before heading off you must pay an entrance fee of TT$60 at the office. If you wish you can hire a guide for an additional fee. With 3 levels, the thunderous sound of the waterfall is heard long before you see it. The height of the first cascade hides the real splendor of Argyle’s upper levels. If you are adventurous you can hike up a bushy path on the right hand side to the second level, where you are greeted by a thick mist. At this level, you can lie in several natural rock tubs and let the water rush over your body. Finally, going further the third pool, though the smallest is the deepest and the best for swimming, inviting you to dive, jump or swing into the water from available vines.

This historical destination which overlooks Scarborough is the best preserved colonial fort in Tobago. Recently refurbished to return it to its old colonial stature, Fort King George stands as a resilient monument of Tobago's turbulent military past. The cannons overlooking the coast are a testament to an era when many battle were waged over Tobago. Built by the British in the 1770s and named in honour of King George the Third, who ruled from 1760 to 1820, the fort is now home to the Tobago Museum which occupies what was once the Barrack Guard House. The Museum exhibits Amerindian artifacts, military relics, shells and documents from the colonial period. The prisoner's bell tank, barracks and officers’ mess are some of the highlights of a walk around the grounds. But for many it is the spectacular vistas that the fort’s high perch over Scarborough affords that makes this a must see destination.

A guided tour by only certified guides is a must to go into this breath-taking rain forest. Most of the forest remains totally natural, in spite of major hurricanes over the years. It is the oldest forest reserve in the western hemisphere and was proclaimed a Forest Reserve in perpetuity by an Act of Parliament in 1776, shortly after the island fell under British rule.

On the leeward coast of Tobago, if you look carefully, you will find Englishman's Bay - a picturesque secluded beach which despite its lack of popularity among beach-goers is arguably Tobago's most beautiful beach destination. Counted among the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean by many travel magazines and websites, this beach is indeed a diamond in the rough. Located between Castara and Parletuvier about 1. 5 km past Castara, the beach is not visible from the Northside Road. Locating it requires a keen eye for a blue and white sign indicating a left turn. Follow the unpaved road to the end and there you will find the classic crescent shaped beach nestled between the thick tropical rainforest and the clear blue Caribbean Sea. The destination is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and camping. Chairs, umbrellas and snorkelling equipment can be rented. It is a nesting ground for the leatherback turtle and is a popular mooring spot for yachts. There is food on sale as well as local craft.

Situated on the northeastern tip of Tobago on Man-o-war Bay, the sleepy fishing village of Charlotteville is the perfect destination for the traveler seeking a picturesque location with a great beach that is largely untouched by the influences of the mainstream tourism industry. Neatly tucked away on the golden sands of Man-o-war Bay, this village has a special mystique which seems to entrance visitors and lures them to stay. The Rough Guide describes it as the "place where visitors come for a night only and stay for months. "The drive to the village is an exciting one along the beautiful northeast coast of Tobago on the winding Windward Road. Drivers and their passengers are then presented with a breathtaking sight of Charlotteville from the mountainous incline. The village with its golden sand shoreline which is caressed by the blue waters of Man-o-war Bay is backed by the verdant rainforest mountains. Down in the fishing village, it’s as quiet and serene as postcards of this destination suggest. Swimming and snorkeling are great ways to enjoy Charlotteville. The nearby jetty - which is another well-known landmark on the island - is a good start off point for underwater adventures. The cove at nearby Pirates Bay is a good spot to enter the sea but be prepared for a walk of 165 stairs that lead down to the cove where parrotfish and angelfish are frequently sighted. Another beach to visit is Lover’s Beach. However, it is only accessible by boat. The sand there is pink in tone because of the crushed seashells that have washed onto the beach. Since the early days, agriculture has been a main staple of the local economy, as has fishing. In the nineteenth century, the now defunct sugar plantations in Charlotteville helped the village grow, but the end of that industry is now an advantage for those who prefer simple pleasures - beautiful scenery and some peace and quiet.

A 10-minute drive from the Arthur N. R. Robinson International Airport down Pigeon Point Road (also known as Milford Road Extension) will bring you to Pigeon Point - Tobago’s finest beach. This picturesque destination is the stuff that Caribbean post card photos are made of. With white powdery sands, fringed by swaying palm trees and bordered by calm reef-protected turquoise blue waters, Pigeon Point is perfect for relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. The jetty - a wooden boardwalk which extends from shore and ends with a quaint thatched-roofed hut with the backdrop of aquamarine water, is a signature image of this island and is said to be the most photographed jetty in the world. But before you can experience Pigeon Point you have to pay an entrance fee. Once that is done, you are free to enjoy the gently sloping beach or take a stroll to the park, enjoy a sunny picnic day, splurge on souvenirs, satisfy your hunger with local delicacies or sipping a cold beverage at the beach bar. Beach chairs, umbrellas, surf boards, scuba and snorkeling equipment, kayaks are available for rentals. Safe parking, washroom and seating facilities are also provided.

Guests learn about the horses personality & character, their age & where they came from and how to interact with them in a gentle & easy way. Persons get to choose their horse/ team partner - guide the Horse, mount the Horse, go through the village where tours begin. Enjoying the beauty of the Horses, swimming with them in the sea, riding them on the sand are all part of this wonderful experience hosted by a lovely couple. Please come in comfortable clothes ( T-shirt/Tank & Short Pants) also walk with extra clothes for after the tour. Bring your camera or let the resident photographer catch you in the moment - everything else is provided. It is a 2 hour experience with a personal guided tour - everyone is welcome - no age limit . No experience needed - The only limitation is the weight limit (190 pounds). You need to make your booking in advance due to limited space. Rides are offered in Western or English saddles & riding helmets. The group is currently offering a trail-swim combination. This special 2 hour experience is a joyful one for both horses and riders, including first timers who have never spent time with horses. Excellent guidance and instruction makes it possible for all riders to be at ease. After introducing the horses to guests (at which point each rider chooses his/her ’team partner’ horse), the starts with a ride through Buccoo Village, past the goat race track and through the wetland mangroves to the beach for a long and exciting beach ride to the end of Buccoo Bay where the group can then swim with the horses along the shore . The cost of this guided tour is 600TTD (60 UK Pounds or 95 USD)per person (children and adults are the same price).

This is wonderful 12- acre estate in Arnos Vale is a birdwatcher's paradise, where you can discover over 50 different types of birds, butterflies and iguanas. While you visit you are free to pick and eat mangoes and citrus fruit. The reserve was awarded for being a business venture that has found the ideal balance between being a haven for wildlife and being a model for sustainable Eco-tourism. It is only minutes away from palm-fringed Arnos Vale Beach which is excellent for snorkeling.

Do you think you can solve the mystery of the tombstone at Plymouth? The tombstone was erected in 1783 in memory of Betty Stiven. The mysterious inscription has baffled visitors and left open to interpretation ever since. It reads: Beneath these walls are deposited the body of Mrs. Betty Stiven and her child. She was the beloved wife of Alex B Stiven. To the end of his days will deplore her death, which happened upon the 25th November 1783 in the 23rd year of her age. What was remarkable of her, she was a mother without knowing it, and a wife without letting her husband know it except by her kind indulgence to him. There are many theories that attempt to explain it but none have been proved. One such theory states that there was a romance between a European slave master and African female slave in a time when this was taboo. Others claim that Betty gave birth to a child while unconscious. Do you have a theory? The mystery tomb is still a mystery to date … and who knows, it may always be a mystery.

One of the busiest and most popular of Tobago's beaches, Store Bay is known for many things: the two-minute walking distance from the ANR Robinson International Airport; Miss Jean's curry crab and dumpling; the ladies selling local snacks like red mango, fudge and benet sticks; sale of local arts and crafts; the departure spot for boat tours to Buccoo Reef. With all the foot and boat traffic, the greatest attraction is indeed the bay's crystal clear blue-green waters with waves that average about 40cm in height, making it a perfect destination for swimming. But be careful with your youngsters around here. On occasion, there are some big breakers. As well, a characteristic feature of this beach is the plunge point where the sea floor drops suddenly to 65 centimetres. If you want to experiment with snorkelling, here is a good place to start as fish sometimes come close to shore. If relaxation is your cup of tea, then Store Bay is excellent for that as well as there are numerous locals eagerly ready to rent you beach chairs and umbrellas for a breezy nap. Located on Tobago's South Western coast, the sunset at Store Bay is a spectacular sight.