Your Tobago eco adventure guide

Voted the world’s top eco-tourism destination (World Travel Awards, 2003), this tiny cigar-shaped Caribbean island has been blessed with a tremendous richness of flora and fauna, playing host to all the major ecosystems: tropical rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, lowland forests, coral reef systems and seabird-nesting islands.

Tobago is special, with many species either endemic to the island or to the region. Offshore there are 44 species of coral, three species of endangered sea turtles and over 80 species of tropical reef fish. Manta, eagle and sting rays; hammerhead, nurse and black-tipped reef sharks; hawksbill, green and leatherback turtles; moray eels; barracuda; dolphin; and pelagic species, such as marlin, can all be seen.

Onshore there are over 210 species of birds, 21 species of non-venomous snakes, rare lizards, frogs (including the endangered Bloody Bay poison frog), and bats (including large fish-eating ones).
 

Ocean adventures

The variety of snorkelling and dive sites is unparalleled in the Caribbean: there is the 10,000-year-old Buccoo Reef, Kilgwyn Flying Reef, Culloden Reef, Speyside (featuring the world’s largest and oldest big brain coral) and Charlotteville Reef, to name but a few.

The spectacular coral reefs are a great draw with visitors, who can experience them through a glass-bottom boat tour and/or snorkelling, but an increasingly large number are opting for the exhilarating alternative of scuba diving.

If you prefer to do battle with the leviathans of the deep rather than watch them, Tobago offers the chance to tread in Hemingway’s footsteps. Game fishing off Tobago shores has exploded in recent years with the capture of some serious heavyweights. A junior world record 404kg (890lb) blue marlin was caught in the 2008 TTGFA (Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association) tournament off Charlotteville.

The key offshore seasons are: October–April for marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna and dorado (dolphin fish); and May–September for barracuda, kingfish, bonito, and snapper.
 

Land adventures
 

Tobago’s beautiful beaches play host to nesting marine turtles (leatherback, hawksbill and green) between March and August, and guides are available, particularly in the Grafton/Turtle Beach/Courland Bay area, to accompany visitors wanting to observe one of nature’s enduring spectacles.

Further inland, Tobago’s natural treasures are equally beguiling. Running along the central spine of the island is the Main Ridge Forest Reserve. 14,000 acres of lush tropical rainforest has been protected since 1776, making it the oldest legally-protected area in the western hemisphere. The last blip of the Andean chain, the island’s flora and fauna is more continental than Antillean.

The central rainforest is a must-see for bird watchers and hikers alike. Hikers will enjoy its rugged terrain, stunning biodiversity and the chance to experience its many streams, river systems, and picturesque waterfalls (such as the cascading Argyle Falls – see Tobago Top 10, page). Another favoured birding trip is Little Tobago – home to thousands of nesting red-billed tropic birds as well being the former home of the Bird of Paradise.

Two novel ways of exploring Tobago’s environmental beauty, including its rainforest and beaches, are mountain biking and horse riding. But however you choose to explore this nature lover’s playground – hiking, diving, bird watching, mountain biking, sailing, horse riding, kayaking, turtle watching, sport fishing or island touring in a 4x4 jeep – our advertisers have it covered.
 

Featured eco tour operators

Frankie’s Tours & Rentals

Mt Irvine Beach Facilities Car Park. T: 631-0369, 394-4553, 681-3717, E: frankietours@gmail.com, W: www.frankietours.com
One of the island’s best and most experienced tour guides is Michael Frank. His 21 years of knowledge, allied to a 19-strong team, six buses and four boats, means he can accommodate any tour desired, be it bird watching, hiking, island tours incorporating beautiful historic locations (forts, museums and old sugar plantation ruins), snorkelling, or even dolphin watching (bottle-nosed, Atlantic grey and spinner). Frank’s evening cruise (US$65) offers unlimited cocktails, a buffet, the chance to watch roosting birds flying in over tranquil lagoons, and then rounds it all off with a dip in the Nylon Pool. Understandably, it is a favourite. He also operates an extensive fleet of rental cars and vans.

Hews Boat Tours

53 Coral Lane, Coral Garden, Buccoo. T: 639-9058, E: info@hews-tours.com, W: www.hews-tours.com
Hews runs the full gamut of onshore and offshore excursions with an emphasis on fun. The ever-popular glass-bottom boat tour (US$25) cruises over Buccoo Reef’s serene tropical waters, allows snorkelling among vibrantly coloured reef fish, and swimming in the Nylon Pool’s crystal clear waters. Extend your day by incorporating a Beach Barbecue Party (US$55) featuring food served to the sounds of calypso and then, after lunch, try your hand (or back!) at limbo. Other tours include the rainforest, bird watching, round-the-island, and even a day tour to Trinidad incorporating shopping, nature, craft, and culture.

Ocean Experience

Pigeon Point Road, Crown Point. T: 631-8430 or 789-9866, E: oceanexperiencetgo@yahoo.com
Whether your passion is diving, snorkelling, fishing, or any other watersport, then head for Tobago’s first dedicated watersports retailer. Ocean Experience offers the island’s widest range of scuba and snorkelling equipment, plus every accessory for that beach or boat excursion. And if you’re looking to land that big one, visit the new Ocean Experience Tackle Company in Pigeon Point Road, Crown Point. If you’re in the market for deep sea trolling, or just casting from the beach, Ocean has the gear and expert advice you need. Open Monday-Saturday, 8am-5pm.

Sherman’s Auto Rentals & Ground Tours

Lambeau Village. T: 639-2292, F: 639-3084, E: shermans@trinidad.net, W: shermansrental.com
If you’re independently spirited, just want to pick up a Discover Trinidad and Tobago map and go exploring, or simply crave the convenience of transportation at your fingertips, then visit one of the leaders in Tobago vehicle rentals. Sherman’s boasts top-notch customer service including: accommodation arrangements; airport transfers; vehicle exchange; collision damage waiver; free eighth day with seven days’ rental; free weekly maintenance and a 24-hour emergency service. Sherman’s offers top-of-the-line luxury cars and jeeps for US$40-100 a day and US$240-600 a week.

Top Notch Tours & Taxi Service

19 Grandy Gully Trace, Goodwood, Scarborough. T: 716-3564 or 375-0411, E: Keron_66@hotmail.com, W: www.tobagotaxis.com
Keron Smith, a certified tour guide with 10 years’ experience, and his company specialise in large group excursions (25-30 and upwards). The most popular tour is the all-day Pirate’s Adventure (US$80) which picks up for 9am before sailing up the Atlantic coastline to Charlotteville.  There a glass-bottom boat is taken to three different reefs for snorkelling, before ending the day with a barbecue at beautiful Pirate’s Bay. Other trips include Genesis Nature Park and Reserve, and Coastline Snorkelling. Keron’s taxi service is also on hand for all airport, hotel, and Sunday School pick-ups.