Today I want to bring you my guide to the best things to do in Tobago. This Caribbean island is paradise, and has everything from amazing beaches to great restaurants and diving.
Things to Do in Tobago
“We eat dolphin in Tobago,” Sonia says. I almost have a heart attack. “What?” I ask, alarmed. She cracks a sunny smile.
“Ha! No, not Flipper,” she laughs. “It’s local slang for mahi-mahi.” I breathe, relieved. And it’s the first of many surprises I encounter on the southernmost island in the Caribbean.
That’s not least because I have strong stereotypes about this part of the world. As a sun-starved Californian Brit, I tend to have a one-track mind when it comes to travel destinations with warm climates.
As with all the other Caribbean islands, I assume that the only things to do in Tobago are lie on the beach and work on my “tan” (and by that I mean my resemblance to a certain red crustacean).
But with one week in Tobago as a guest of the tourism board, I discover there’s enough to occupy my time that I can spend all seven days away from a towel on one of the island’s many pristine beaches doing so many exciting things that I don’t miss it.
Eat at the Best Tobago Restaurants
Starting with trying new foods. As soon as I arrive, I discover that Tobago has a lot of unique dishes.
A lunch at the Fish Pot restaurant in Pleasant Prospect introduces me to the island’s “dolphin”, which is served with delicious fried plantains. While there, I also learn that they call green bananas “figs”.
Over in Scarborough, the Blue Crab restaurant shows me more of the island’s cuisine. The owners, Alison and Ken, run the restaurant with their family, and Alison is so charismatic that I want her to be my Caribbean aunt.
She lays out a big creole lunch of cassava salad, kingfish, pigeon peas and rice, and traditional dumplings, all of which tempt me to have seconds. And thirds.
Speaking of dumplings, one night I encounter Tobago’s national dish, crab and dumplings. Tasting it is one of the most delicious things to do in Tobago.
I also get to sample the local street food, which comes in the form of pig tail, flying fish sandwiches, pigs’ feet, cow skin, corn pone, and other regional dishes.
Elsewhere, I have lunch at the Kariwak Village in Crown Point, where I try coo coo—cornmeal steamed in coconut milk—and callaloo, young dasheen leaves with okra and coconut milk.
Over in Speyside, I eat a beachside meal at the famous Jemma’s Seaview Restaurant, where I beat away flies to eat the world’s largest lobster along with side dishes of cassava and macaroni pie.
While at Jemma’s, I also learn about local drinks like mauby, a bittersweet infusion of tree bark and spices. And that’s to say nothing of rum punch. Drinking it is one of the most classic things to do in Tobago.
Away from the restaurants, I try a delicious goat curry and pumpkin roti from a hole-in-the-wall shop on Castries Street in Scarborough, and take a walk through the main produce market in the city.
Go on a Catamaran Tour in Tobago
Perhaps the best food I eat in Tobago is on board a catamaran run by Island Girl.
My group takes a boat trip out to a sandy cove where we have freshly grilled mahi-mahi—I can’t quite bring myself to say “dolphin” yet—and stewed chicken with a delicious brown sugar sweetness.
But eating is only one of the things we do on the catamaran. We also get a chance to go swimming and snorkeling, and on our way to and from the cove we see dolphins (real ones) and flying fish off the bow.
Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Trip to the Nylon Pool
Another day we take a glass-bottom boat trip from the gorgeous beach at Pigeon Point to Buccoo Reef, a famous snorkeling area.
The highlight of the trip is a visit to the Nylon Pool, a shallow spot just off the coast where we can walk and swim in the crystal-clear water. Coming here is one of the most famous things to do in Tobago.
Learn Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Back at Pigeon Point, we spend an afternoon learning how to stand-up paddle board, an activity that turns out to be a bit harder than it looks.
We all get the hang of it eventually, and by the end we’re paddling along the white sand beach with confidence.
Spot Turtles on the Beach
When we return to the shore, we keep our eyes open for sea turtles.
Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Green Turtles come to Tobago’s beaches to lay their eggs between early March and late August every year, and lucky visitors can watch while they do.
Hike the Gilpin Trace Trail in Tobago
But beach activities and eating good food aren’t the only things to do in Tobago.
One day we spend an entire morning hiking the Gilpin Trace trail in the Main Ridge Forest Reserve—the oldest legally protected rainforest in the western hemisphere—and swimming in the pools beneath the famous Argyle Waterfall.
While we do, we learn from our guide, Newton George, that Tobago is one of the best places in the world for birding. Over 220 species call the island home, making it one of the most densely populated places in the world for birds.
Tour Scarborough, Tobago
On another excursion with Hans from Hans Tours, we find ourselves away from nature in Tobago’s main city, Scarborough.
It has colorful murals depicting the island’s history, a sunny main square overlooking the water, and a hilltop fortification called Fort King George that dates back to the 18th century and has a small museum.
Scarborough is also the place where ferries depart Tobago for Trinidad, a two-and-a-half hour journey that allows the two islands to be close enough for a day trip.
Go to the Tobago Jazz Experience
But there are more things to do in Tobago before heading off to Trinidad, not least of which is the annual Tobago Jazz Experience.
The week-long festival features concerts all over the island and culminates with a weekend of nightly performances on the main stage at Pigeon Point.
The festival has everything from beachfront concerts in Castara to big shows featuring artists like John Legend, Keyshia Cole, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
There’s a lively atmosphere and plenty of stalls selling local food, drink, and clothing to keep everyone entertained between performances.
Stay at One of the Best Hotels in Tobago
After the concerts, my group goes back to our hotels. The Blue Waters Inn in Speyside is the oldest hotel in Tobago, and its 38 rooms sit on a secluded private beach on the eastern side of the island.
It’s popular with divers given its proximity to some of the best diving in Tobago, and it’s popular with me given its beautiful natural surroundings and excellent local breakfasts of fried bake and salt fish.
Way on the other side of the island, the luxurious Magdalena Grand is one of the largest hotels in Tobago. Located near the airport and Pigeon Point, it’s a huge property with an array of restaurants, bars, pools, and lounges.
I particularly like its pirate-themed Robinson Crusoe Pub and its Kali’na restaurant, where I have a decadent dinner on my final night in Tobago.
Best Things to Do in Tobago
As I leave the island, I’m reminded of a word Tobagonians use to describe the heartbreak that comes after a painful breakup: tabanca.
After all the pleasant surprises I’ve experienced on the trip, it’s the only word I can think of to describe how I feel about having to part ways with Tobago.
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Glad you had such a great trip. Looks absolutely amazing. Another place added to my must visit list.
Thanks! I hope you get to visit sometime!
Absolutely stunning photos. It’s bringing me back to when we were in Dominica. They also call it Dolphin there and we got a shock too 🙂 Was glad to find out it wasn’t real dolphin! Love the Caribbean… it’s so peaceful
Thanks! I would love to visit Dominica someday, too!
I have never been to the Caribbean, because I assume the same thing, that it’s all about tans. This post makes me really want to get there. I have a question about the lighting on your food shots. Are you always positioning yourself by a window, on a deck? Your photos are gorgeous!
Thanks! Yeah, most of the ones in this post were taken outdoors in natural light. That always helps with food photos.
I knew nothing about Tobago except when I’d hear their country announced as Trinidad & Tobago at the Olympics. Thank you for the glance at life and vacationing there. It looks and sounds wonderful and all the food sounds amazing! I am so jealous you saw flying fish!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! The flying fish were really fun to see!
Lovely post – reminds me of a wonderful holiday in Tobago. So glad you made it to Kariwak which is somehow a special place. Totally agree with you about Island Girl – trip, food, crew – everything was fabulous.
That’s great that you have good memories of your trip, too!
This looks like such an incredible trip. I had friends in Uni from there and they always talked about how beautiful it was, but there wasn’t much to do. I suppose it’s one of those things where you never realise what you have where you live.
Yeah, I think we all take the place we’re from for granted sometimes. It’s hard to find the extraordinary in the ordinary when we’re so used to something!
Great post. I’m from T&T and you’ve done more in Tobago than I ever have. And those food photos! Yum.
Thanks Dion!
Woww! Your pictures have made me so jealous 😉 I am now dreaming on going there myself…. Thanks for sharing your trip, its a lovely post!
Jara
Thanks! I hope you have a chance to go sometime!
Another beautiful post that carries me away to an exotic local! Now this is the kind of vacation I want to take — I’ve had enough of always traveling to northern destinations in the middle of winter. Fresh fish, glass bottoms boats and gorgeous sunsets sound like just the thing — sign me up!
XO
Thanks Jessica! You would love it there!
This was so lovely to consume – reading and looking at those beautiful pictures. I spent 6 years living in the Blue Haven Hotel at Bacolet Bay when my parents owned it, so have many childhood memories, and grownup ones of going back with my family now to stay at Kariwak. So pleased that you had such a wonderful time (although sounds like your schedule was too packed to allow for some tanning time!)
Thanks! That’s great that you used to live there. It’s such an amazing island!
I am from Trinidad and this best retrospective I have any seen on Tobago
Thanks Brinda!
Beautiful place 🙂 and post. This is the Islands where my parents came from and it is definitely a splendid island.
Wow, that’s great! It’s definitely an amazing part of the world!