In association with: Tobago Tourism Agency
Clients in search of unforgettable activities and eco-experiences will find plenty of choice in Tobago
White-powder sand, warm seas and a laidback vibe are a given on the unspoilt, untouched Caribbean island of Tobago, where undiscovered adventure awaits. Clients will be surprised by the 101 unforgettable activities and experiences that take them beyond the ordinary.
Walkers of all abilities can climb the island’s highest waterfall, the Argyle Falls, or take a hike, guided bike ride or safari through the UNESCO-listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve. Under the rainforest’s canopy, the Gilpin Trail offers encounters with wonderful wildlife – including armadillos and geckos, as well as the national bird, the cocrico, just one of more than 260 bird species that make the island a paradise for birdwatchers.
Mountain bike trails criss-cross the island: the mangroves of southwestern Tobago, the bird-rich wetlands of Bon Accord Lagoon and the old plantations of Les Couteaux are glorious routes. A particularly romantic eco activity is a horse ride along the beach. From the village of Buccoo, a ride takes in candy-coloured houses, mangrove-filled wetlands and a canter along the sands of Buccoo Beach before ending with a swim in Buccoo Bay.
More on the shore
Tobago’s crystal-clear waters are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing or kitesurfing, particularly in the west of the island, where adventure seekers can speed along waves. At night, they can stand-up paddleboard over shimmering blue light on Bon Accord Lagoon’s sheltered waters, thanks to the bioluminescent plankton beneath the water.
Castara Bay and Charlotteville are the places to try deep-sea fishing with local fishermen – indeed, many eco adventures and activities in Tobago involve the local people and natural world, enabling visitors to not only help local communities and their economy, but also conserve local nature, culture and heritage. Beneath the waves, Tobago offers unique opportunities for snorkelling and diving.
Luminous corals and sponges brighten the submerged Japanese Gardens off the northern coast of Speyside; turtles and porcupine fi sh fl it in and out of dramatic overhangs at London Bridge; and hawksbill turtles swim at Mount Irvine.
Divers can experience the once-in-a-lifetime sight of a five-metre-wide brain coral that’s been growing for centuries in Kelleston Drain; while snorkellers can gently explore the rainbow-hued reefs off Pigeon Point, Buccoo Reef, Heritage Park, Pirate’s Bay and Castara Beach. Many, such as Arnos Vale Reef, are close to shore, making them perfect for beginners.
Wherever you go on the island, you’ll find the natural world at its best.
Five memorable ways to connect with Tobagonian life
1. Taste local foods such as curried crab and dumplings from the beach stalls at Store Bay. And in Castara, try the bread, tarts and buns cooked in a traditional dirt oven.
2. Lime with the locals as you watch the famous Buccoo Goat and Crab Races (yes, these are separate races!).
3. Take a trek with a local, who’ll keep an ear out for armadillos rooting around in Corbin Local Wildlife Park and an eye out for black-throated mango hummingbirds in the UNESCO-listed Main Ridge Forest Reserve.
4. Catch your own supper by helping fishermen haul in fi sh-laden nets at Charlotteville, Castara and Parlatuvier. The communal practice dates back 150 years, and you’ll usually be rewarded with a fi sh or two.
5. Hike to Tobago’s highest point, Pigeon Peak Circuit, with a guide who’ll be able to point out everything you can see from your lofty vantage point.
Book your clients to Tobago and be rewarded
Earn £10 for a 7-13 night stay and £20 for 14 or more nights. Log your bookings at tobagorewards.com
Agent training
Sign up to Tobago’s agent training platform to discover more, earn rewards and be considered for fam trip places. Visit: tobago101specialist.co.uk
PICTURES: Tobago Division of Tourism and Transportation