Tobago Holidays

Tobago breaks away from the main Caribbean crowd. You’ll see similarities in the tropical scenery and the temperature gauge, but it keeps a much lower profile than its counterparts. Sprawling hotels and gourmet restaurants haven’t found their way to these sun-kissed shores, so there’s a real authentic appeal. From tried-and-tested local cuisine to barely disturbed rainforests, you’ll witness island life without the make-up.

The beaches here come without any frills, so you can expect breeze-ruffled palm trees studded into caramel-coloured sands. Stretches like Englishman’s Bay will have you feeling like you’re on an uninhabited island, and nesting leatherback turtles are the most likely companions. Elsewhere, snorkellers head to Buccoo Reef to get close to colourful patches of coral and schools of tropical fish.

Because of Tobago’s low-key reputation, local life still ticks along as though the tourists weren’t there. Fishing boats bob off the shores of the smaller beaches, and the catch of the day’s usually cooked up later by a beachfront grill. That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mealtimes, too. Traditional options dominate the menu, from steaming bowls of curried crab and dumplings to spicy shrimp-stuffed roti flatbreads.

Head to the island’s northern half, and almost all traces of human life seem to disappear. The misty slopes of the Main Ridge Forest Reserve are blanketed by dense rainforest, with dainty hamlets perched along the neighbouring coastlines. The wildlife beneath the canopy’s quite something, too – rare hummingbirds flutter between gramophone-style flower heads, and armadillos shuffle along the forest floor. The whole lot’s capped by Argyle Falls – Tobago’s prettiest cascading waterway.