Image via Wikipedia

It’s not just a cliché: Tobago really is a beach-lover’s paradise. Here are some of our favourites:

Around Crown Point

1. Store Bay: extremely popular (and busy) beach for both locals and visitors, just two minutes from the airport. Fine golden sand descends into crystal clear water. Many glass-bottom boat operators begin Buccoo Reef trips here. Excellent craft shopping, food stalls, changing rooms
2. Pigeon Point: Tobago’s most famous beach. Protected by Buccoo Reef, the calm waters make it ideal for families – but stay within the red markers while swimming. Watersports businesses operate from the far end, and you can catch a glass-bottom boat to Buccoo Reef from here. Entrance fee.
3. Mt Irvine: a pair of beaches offering excellent facilities and some of the island’s best snorkelling. The Mt Irvine Beach Hotel side, open to the public, offers refreshments and all beach amenities. Mt Irvine Bay, a short walk away, is a popular watersports and snorkelling spot: coral, sponge and reef fish species abound here. Snorkelling gear, canoes and hobie cats can be hired onsite
4. Canoe Bay: Tobago’s calmest and shallowest bathing beach, perfect for young families. Rarely crowded, with excellent facilities including bar and beachfront cabanas. Beware mosquitoes at sunset and rugged approach road. Open 9am-5pm. Entrance fee 

Leeward Coast

1. Englishman’s Bay: this tree-framed, crescent-shaped bay exudes a beguiling tranquillity, with the crashing surf and squawking parrots often the only sounds to be heard. Deep, clear water offers good swimming and snorkelling but beware: it shelves away steeply. Craft shopping and restaurant onsite
2. Pirate’s Bay: one of Tobago’s most stunning and unspoilt bays, though it takes a little effort to get there. From Charlotteville’s eastern tip, a half-mile long, coastline-hugging dirt road brings you to a 157-step descent to the beach. No facilities
3. Castara: quiet and unspoilt beach in a friendly fishing village. Enjoy the sight of fishermen bringing in their nets (pulling seine) or bread baked in old-fashioned dirt ovens. Excellent facilities, stores and craft stalls. Accommodation nearby

Windward Coast

1. Speyside & Blue Waters: unlike other Windward Coast beaches, Speyside and Blue Waters are protected by nearby reef systems and islands. Both offer tranquillity, great snorkelling and the chance to join a glass-bottom boat trip to Angel Reef, Goat Island and Little Tobago.
   

Lifeguards are typically on duty 9am–5pm or 10am–6pm where available, but not at all beaches.
Red flags indicate unsafe bathing areas