Windward Side Beaches

This post covers beaches located between the villages of Roxborough and Scarborough 

The drive along the coastline bordering the Atlantic Ocean is a bit more dramatic than on the leeward side of the island 

Here beaches have more powerfull waves, but the scenery is spectacular 

The bays and beaches along the Atlantic Coast of Tobago  from Roxborough in the East to Scarborough in the west is quite different in appearance from the Northern coastline of the Caribbean. 

The beaches on this coast are not all suitable for swimming with family given the rough waves and rip currents that may exist at times

Its important to liaise with local folks and tour guides for guidance on which beaches on he coast are suitable for family outings. However all are beautiful and can be used for strolls along the beach or just a place to kick back and relax and take a nap listening to the soothing sound of waves

Goldsborough Bay

 

There are several dark volcanic sand beaches along Goldsborough Bay between Roxborough and Scarborough, particularly each side of the village of Pembroke. 

Pembroke Beach (turn off at the crossroads at the bottom of the hill) is safe to swim in, but there is no shade or facilities.

Pinfold Bay

A small beach next to the ruins of Fort Granby and also known as Fort Granby Beach. The site is marked by a sign off the Windward Road, which takes you past a ready-mix concrete plant and the island's rubbish tip. 

The beach, however, is quite pretty although swimming is not safe here. It's a good walking beach and there is a small bar for refreshments after.

Hope Bay (Hillsborough Bay)

Hope Bay is readily recognizable due to the lines of waves breaking into surf as the sea rushes in over the shallow waters.

The beach is a very long stretch of black volcanic sand and the invariably deserted. There are strong rip tides out to sea, so the bay is not considered safe for swimming, but it does make an excellent walking beach.

Caribbean Sea Coast Beaches

Leeward Side Beaches

This post covers beaches located between the villages of Buccoo and Arnos Vale.

The drive along the coastline bordering the Caribbean sea is a serene and enjoyable as they come 

Buccoo Bay

Following on from Pigeon Point and No Man’s Land, Buccoo Beach is a long narrow beach protected that is protected by the Buccoo Reef.

There are basic beach facilities including a small bar and toilet facilities

This beach is not heavily populated as there are more famous beaches nearby that attract more beach goers

Grange Bay

This beach is known by the locals as The Wall, and is just off the road after the famous Mount Irvine Golf Course.

Grange Beach is great for swimming and is a popular spot with surfers.

Back Bay

Back Bay is a quiet secluded beach, whose access involves trekking down a cliff.

There is even a little pool made by nature where water flows in and out with the tide.

While this is a beautiful beach it is quite secluded and lonely.

May want to go there in a large group to maintain ones safety 

The Great Courland Bay

Access to this beach can be had from any of the side streets in the Black Rock Village

The bay is exposed the full elements of the north coast.

Stone Haven Bay

Stone Haven Bay is an attractive coarse sand beach bordering Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort and the Grafton Beach Resort.

The beach (north) offers good snorkelling and is one of the beaches in Tobago where the endangered giant Leatherback turtle comes ashore between March and August to lay their eggs.  

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach is a long sandy, sloping beach famous as a nesting site for giant leatherback turtles (March-August).

The beach is located close to the Turtle Beach Hotel, which borders the beach

The hotel organizes viewing of the turtles during their nesting periods (March –August)

The beach is adjacent to an area that has thick tree cover that provides shade and seating facility for family limes

Beaches South West of Island

Man Of War Bay

Situated on the northeastern tip of Tobago is Man-o-war Bay in the quiet village of Charlotteville.

This is the perfect destination for the traveller seeking a picturesque location  that is largely untouched by the influences of the mainstream tourism industry.

The drive along the beautiful northeast coast of Tobago presents visitors with a breathtaking view of Charlotteville from the mountainous inclines.

With its golden sand shoreline and rainforest mountains as a backdrop Man-o-war Bay is a traveller's paradise

Swimming and snorkeling are great activities at this bay

Pirates Bay

Situated in the north east of the island is the very quiet village of Charlotteville, where you will stumble upon  Pirates Bay.

Pirates Bay is mainly accessible by foot or by boat. it is gorgeous, quiet and unspoiled.

Named after the shelter that it provided to marauding buccaneers three centuries ago, this charming and isolated bay and beach was used extensively in the original Robinson Crusoe filmed in 1952.there are excellent reefs protecting Pirate's Beach 

 Access to the beach is via an un-paved  track has been created up the hillside from Charlotteville (continue north along the coast road through the village, always forking left toward the sea).

It healthy 20 minute walk! before descending through the plantation to the beach. 

The steps leading down are not marked and can be easily missed. There are some 170 steps down the steep cliff-side to the beach.

There are basic toilet/changing facilities

Take a group, walk with a cooler, food and enjoy the ambiance, nature and the sound of the waves In Tobago; you may very well have the beach to yourselves 

Hermitage Bay

Hermitage Bay is a secluded bay just before the main village of Charlotteville

Batteaux Bay

This beach is small and secluded with stunning deep blue waters and reefs near the grounds of Blue Waters Inn apartments. 

The beach is a popular departure point for diving and snorkelling trips around the islands of Little Tobago and Goat Island.

Popular Tobago Beaches

I am often asked to recommend ' good' beaches in Tobago by my friends and co-workers

My response is always ' all beaches in Tobago are good"

But I usually direct travellers to the typical well known beaches as often times these are the ones with some kind of facility for beachgoers

I was pleasantly surprised when I was having a conversation with older folks in Tobago and learnt that Tobago has about 40 or so beaches around the island

A typical traveller to Tobago probably won’t get to see all of Tobago’s beaches during their stay.

I have decided to create a few posts  of some of the more well known beaches in Tobago. 

The information would be in no particular order of popularity

leave a comment if you have an impression of the beach based on your own experiences 

Englishman’s Bay

Rated as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean by the Sunday Times, Englishman’s Bay lies on the edge of the rain forest.  Off from the main road on the north cost of the island , through a short road covered with a bamboo canopy – and there it is.

There is  peace and photo opportunities as well as a simple wooden hut selling local dishes and handy craft 

The sand is clean and white, the water deep and clear, with palm trees fringing the whole bay.

There’s a good breeze wafting in from the Caribbean Sea and you can sunbathe to the fabulous sounds of wild parrots shouting from the rain forest. 

Mount Irvine Beach

Mt Irvin beach and its bar is near the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel but it’s all open to the public. 

There are  beach facilities for guests including a bar and individual eating areas for visitors

Small huts around sell various local dishes and delicacies that are reasonably priced 


The beach is small and pretty and provides excellent snorkelling  for those so minded 

 Castara Beach

Castara beach is really an area where the locals work and recreate as fishing is the main stay 

You approach the beach along the north coast road, bordering the sea along the entire journey

Cold bears are available  from the local bar on the beach where local old timers enjoy their mid-day rum and cards, 

As a guarantee, you will get to experience the fishermen bringing in the days catch and prepare themselves for a relaxing evening before retiring to their respective homes nearby to quite peace and serenity typical of Tobago village life 

Pigeon Point

Pigeon point Heritage Park

Pigeon Point beach is a picture perfect Caribbean beach 

Still, turquoise water lapping onto a white beach, swaying palms leaning over almost touching the water. That is Pigeon Point.

You have to pay a fee per person to get to the beach and use the facilities (TT$20 ) which are extensive and well maintained. 

The beach is a part of what is known as Heritage park where in the nearby grassy area littered with coconut trees the famous Jazz festival takes place annually

There are craft shops along the road leading to the beach as well as establishments selling local foods and drinks 

The far end of the beach borders the famous pigeon point lagoon and is home to an array of exciting water-sports – windsurfing, kayaking, kite-boarding and jet skying etc 

Its a favourite spot for cruisers who are bused to the location when cruise ships do come to the Scarborough Port in the capital.

Store Bay, Crown Point

This exquisite beach is located near to Crown Point Airport, and is home to the famous Great Race (power boat) event that takes place around the summer month of August. .

The facilities are excellent and included showering facilities, bars local food stalls, small stalls selling local crafts and delicacies ( bene balls, sugar cakes, tamarind balls, chow etc)

It’s a popular beach for Tobagonians, especially at weekends, and for the typical Trinidadian who decides to run away for the weekend 

it’s clean and tourist friendly and as a result, 

meals are wide and varied and include the famous crab n dumplings , callaloo, sea conchs ( lambi), etc

Meals range in prices from $35.00 and up .