Our favourite Trinidad beaches

You may not come to Trinidad for the beaches… You’d probably go to Tobago for a beach break! But you still have several fantastic options in Trinidad, especially if you also enjoy things like turtle-watching or hiking or kayaking… Read on for more! And for even more on Trinidad’s beaches, click here, and here!

Our absolute favourite: Las Cuevas

There are many reasons why this beach is our favourite. It’s a long (2km / 1.25 miles), sheltered, looping beach that’s calmer and better for swimming than most on the north coast, especially at the bay’s eastern end. It’s also quieter and less crowded. There are caves for sheltering or exploring; beautiful flowering trees; and the convenience of an on-site snack bar, bathroom and changing facilities, parking, and lifeguards on duty. But most impressively, this was once the nation’s first Blue Flag beach, which meant it met strict criteria around water quality; environmental education, information, and management; and safety.

Two tips: get there early if you’d like to park inside, and bring repellent as a precaution against any biting insects.

Sunrise at the ever-popular Maracas beach. Photo by Chris Anderson

More of our favourites…

THE NORTH COAST

Turtles nest on this coast in season (March–September), so please don’t drive on the beaches

• Blanchisseuse: the waters are rough here, but there are hiking trails to the nearby waterfall, into the rainforest (a favourite for birders), and along the north coast, with good kayaking in the nearby Marianne River. Surfing is good November–April
• Grande Rivière: the second largest leatherback turtle nesting ground in the world. Good for river bathing and kayaking, as well as hikes into the forest. Perfect for a weekend eco escape. Accessed via Toco
• La Fillette: About 100 winding steps lead down to the rocky beach below. Often calm waters, good for snorkelling
• Macqueripe Bay: a small and calm bay in Chaguaramas, great for swimming and snorkelling, with recently renovated bathroom/changing rooms, a car park, children’s play park — and a zip-lining course overhead! Entrance fee
• Maracas Bay: Trinidad’s most popular beach — great food, good stretch of sand, surfing if the conditions are right, lifeguards, and gas station nearby. NB: For the sake of sustainability, we recommend having flying fish or king fish instead of shark with your bake!
  
• Paria Bay: good for ocean kayaking, with waterfalls and rocky pools nearby. Accessible only by boat or via hiking trail from Blanchisseusse (see our Hiking section)
• Scotland Bay: sheltered and secluded bay in Chaguaramas only accessible by boat. Calm clear water good for snorkelling and swimming.
• Tyrico Bay: close to Maracas’ amenities, but a calmer, smaller, quieter alternative

For more about touring Trinidad’s northern region, click here; for the northeast, click here.

A leatherback makes its way to the sea at Grande Riviere. Photo: Stephen Jay Photography

THE EAST COAST

Swim with caution on this coast, as the Atlantic currents are strong. Turtles also nest here in season

• Balandra Bay: sheltered and good for swimming
• Manzanilla: perfect for sunbathing and jogging, bordered by the distinctive “Cocal” (coconut forest). Facilities and lifeguards in specific areas
• Matura: rough waters make it inadvisable for swimming, but between March and August, is a popular and important leatherback turtle nesting site
• Mayaro: glorious stretch of beach — the longest in the island — perfect for long walks, kite-surfing, sun-bathing, and camping. Shells of “chip chip”, like clam shells, protect small oceanic organisms. A popular weekend getaway spot
• Salybia Bay: popular for surfing (November–April), and ideal for swimming June–September. There’s a fringing reef offshore. Beach facilities have recently been built
• Sans Souci: good for surfing, bathing, camping, with lifeguards on duty.

For more about touring Trinidad’s east coast, click here.

The Nariva River meets the Atlantic Ocean near Manzanilla. Photo by Jason Audain

THE SOUTH & SOUTHWEST COASTS

• Columbus & Cedros Bays: stunning and pristine bays in quiet fishing villages on the southwestern coast, with views of Venezuela on a clear day. Cedros has the widest beach on the island at low tide. Good for bathing, biking, and kayaking
• Granville Beach: the road to the beach is an adventure in itself — keep following the signs! Popular on weekends and for Ash Wednesday Carnival cool-down parties
• Quinam Beach: probably the most popular beach on the south coast, good for swimming (though the beach disappears at high tide). There are amenities, lifeguards, and trails into the woods.

For more about touring Trinidad’s south/southwest, click here.

The cliffs at Icacos, southwest Trinidad. Photo: Chris Anderson

Written by Discover Trinidad & Tobago