Trinidad

What to do in Trinidad

Both Trinidad and Tobago.

Deep-Sea Fishing

Excellent sport fishing can be had here with many charter boats accommodating up to 6 people with rods, tackle, and bait included in the deal. You're pretty much guaranteed some excitement, with main catches including marlin, sailfish, tuna, and dolphin.

Golfing

Trinidad and Tobago isn't a tee-time mecca, but it does proudly offer some lovely courses, most of which have clubs and carts for rent as well as in-house caddies. In Trinidad, the best is St Andrew's in Moka, Maraval and the only public course is the nine-hole Chaguaramas Golf Course in Chaguaramas. There's only one place to play in Tobago, at the 18 palm-dotted holes attached to the Mount Irvine Hotel. St Andrews and Mount Irvine also host various professional and amateur tournaments.

Trinidad.

Queen's Park Savannah

This great green oasis is the heart of Port of Spain, Trinidad where locals and visitors come to escape the bustle of the city. Jogging, reading, people-watching, and any all other relaxing activities are perfectly suited for these grounds. The west side is a showcase of architectural delights like the elegant lantern-roofed George Brown House and the Magnificent Seven, which is a series of astonishing buildings constructed in a variety of 19th-century styles. The former racetrack at the south end is the setting for music and costume competitions during Carnival.

Blanchisseuse Bay

This isolated Trinidad beach is a narrow, palm-fringed strip on the North Coast Road perfect for a romantic picnic or a day of thoughtful solitude. If you want a real taste of islander life, bargain for a no-frills tour of the coast from one of the local fishermen.

Maracas Bay

Port of Spain, Trinidad's most beautiful and popular beach fills up fast on Sundays for what is practically a ritualized social gathering. People show up in their best swimsuits to socialize, brave the waves, and snack on the delicious shark-and-bake from the food huts along the sand. The shore is lined with deck chairs, umbrellas, and coolers packed with beer, rum, and food, while surfers hang ten and hard-bodies play beach tennis. It's also the main Ash Wednesday music-drenched chill-out spot, where revelers come to relax after the mayhem of Carnival.

Munching at Store Bay

Nibbling (or devouring) a plate of crab and dumplin', macaroni pie with callaloo, or curry goat and vegetable rice from one of the row of shacks facing Store Bay beach is a "gotta do it" part of every trip to Tobago. Miss Jean's stall is popular and always fresh, and Miss Esmee is also a crowd favorite. There are plenty more so if you have the appetite, try them all!.

Tobago.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Tobago doesn't seem to come to many scuba diving minds, but it should. The variety is tremendous, with Caribbean diving on one coast and Atlantic diving on the other. Huge manta rays gather around the Flying Manta and Speyside sites with no fear of humans, in fact, they often swim over to you for some play! Many pristine and largely unexplored sites surround the island, filled with fish-swarmed reefs, canyon walls, and startling rock formations.

Tobago Forest Reserve

Laced with easy walking tracks, the Western Hemisphere's oldest protected rainforest is a refuge for a squawking population of colorful, exotic birds. There are two main points of access but unless you only plan to go a few hundred yards, it's advisable to hire a guide; you'll learn a great deal about the forest ecosystem from these native experts and you won't get lost. The trail is fairly easy, though often muddy, and takes you through some spectacular ranges dotted with waterfalls.

Charlotteville

This Tobagan fishing village seems lost in time, as the fisherman pull into shore announcing the day's catch with a sounding of their conch shells. Nestled into a series of steep hills, the town affords unforgettable views of Man O'War Bay against the backdrop of Tobago's highest mountain, Pigeon Peak. Catch the view at sunset for a truly spectacular sight.

Ft King George

Canons, a prison, and the officer's quarters leave little doubt that this well-preserved 18th-century Tobagan fort was once the site of military maneuvers, but indeed it was. Today, however, it is a lush and tranquil spot with a museum of pre-Columbian artifacts and a Fine Arts Center that hosts local artists.

Pigeon Point

This is the visual perfection that graces the covers of Tobago travel brochures. Bordering a large former coconut estate, the beach is lined with towering royal palms and also has a food stand, a few gift shops, a dive operator, and paddleboats.

Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary

This bird sanctuary near Black Rock Village in Tobago was once a cocoa estate. The owner took to feeding the wild birds whose forest habitat was badly damaged by the 1963 hurricane and bequeathed her estate was passed to her survivors on the condition that it would remain a wildlife sanctuary. The Motmots are in the habit of coming out around 4:00pm for their feeding time and since time has diminished their fear of humans, hand feeding is possible. The house has been converted into a nature center and there are hiking trails on the grounds.