Tobago eco adventures for any age and fitness level

Tobago may only be 21 miles across and seven miles wide, but its capacity to excite, enchant and mesmerise the visitor is larger than life.

As in Trinidad, so in Tobago: biodiversity is the name of the game. The island is home to the Main Ridge Reserve, the western hemisphere’s oldest protected forest reserve, an area teeming with species unknown in most of the Caribbean. Hiking trails criss-cross the hills and there’s an astonishing array of bird life — 210 species, to be exact. Even in fairly developed districts you can expect to be woken at dawn by the cries of cocricos, or be visited on your verandah by bananaquits and blue tanagers.

Tobago’s several waterfalls also originate in the Main Ridge and are popular with hikers and birders. Five species of endangered sea turtle, including the giant leatherback, nest on Tobago’s coast (nesting season is March to August), and Little Tobago is one of the most important sea-bird sanctuaries in the Caribbean.

And that’s just on land. Underwater adventurers will be captivated by the burgeoning sea life in Tobago’s calm, clear waters, especially around its coral reefs. Reefs can be toured by glass-bottomed boat, and there’s easily accessible snorkelling and scuba-diving from the beaches on the Leeward and northeast coasts. Tobago is also one of the Caribbean’s finest diving locations.

To ensure you get the most out of your experience, it’s best to go with an experienced eco-tour operator or guide. Here are a few of Tobago’s main eco attractions, most of which you can explore no matter what your age or fitness level.

Leeward Coast

• Grafton and Caledonia Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary: Formerly a working plantation, Grafton Estate evolved into a wildlife sanctuary after 1963’s Hurricane Flora. There’s no charge to enter the estate or use the nature trails. A small Visitors’ Centre at the Copra House provides documentation on wildlife and a brief history of the Sanctuary. One of the best times to visit is 4pm when flocks of birds descend on the Copra House for the Sanctuary’s feeding time.
• Turtle Beach: Leatherback turtles, the largest species of marine turtle, come ashore on this beach during the nesting season from March to August. Back Bay and Grafton Beach are other nesting locations. Leatherbacks are endangered, so turtle-watching tours must be undertaken with a certified guide. For further information and free guided tours contact SOS Tobago (Save Our Seaturtles Tobago), a charity run by local forest rangers.
• Adventure Farm and Nature Reserve: These beautiful tropical gardens are set on a 12-acre nature reserve which grows citrus, mangoes, bananas, papayas, guavas and West Indian cherries. A variety of bird life can be seen here, including herons, egrets, motmots, hummingbirds, chacalaca, woodpeckers, jacamars and many more. The birds are fed to the sounds of an antique ship’s bell. There is a butterfly garden and a shelter for endangered species. Fully-equipped eco villas are also available.
• Cuffie River Nature Retreat: Great bird watching and nature tours, as well as an easily accessible river.
• Castara: A long, winding roads lead to Castara and some breathtaking coastline views. The pool at Castara Falls is well worth a visit for a refreshing dip after the beach.
• Tobago Forest Reserve: Running along the island’s spine roughly from Castara to Speyside, the ridge rises to approximately 1,890 feet. Declared a Crown Reserve in 1776, it is the oldest forest reserve in the western hemisphere. With a good guide this is great adventure terrain with many rivers and falls.

Windward Coast

• Genesis Nature Park & Art Gallery: Michael Spencer opens his home and garden to visitors. He’ll introduce you to his capuchin monkeys, boa constrictors, caiman and cocrico, just to name a few. There’s a small entrance fee. 
• Hillsborough Reservoir: Getting to this dam entails a 2-mile drive along a dirt road (it’s impassable during heavy rain, so check the weather before setting out), but it’s set in a richly forested area good for bird spotting. An entrance permit is required from the Water and Sewerage Authority
• Argyle Falls: An easy 15-minute hike takes you to the island’s highest falls (don’t stop at the first pool). You’ll need a guide (check for the official badge).
• Flagstaff Hill: The northern tip of Tobago, reached via an unpaved road from the crest of the hill before descending into Charlotteville. It was the site of an American military lookout and radio tower during World War II. The view is panoramic, encompassing the St Giles Islands and the village of Charlotteville.