Holidays in Tobago

Tobago’s beaches are literally postcard perfect. You’ve got white sand that slopes gently into azure water so clear, you can see the turtles swimming lazily through the reefs. Top beaches in Tobago are Pigeon Point, Store Bay, MT Irvine, Bucco, Grange, Englishman's Bay and Canoe Bay, although there are lots of tiny inlets and coves all around the coast that are just perfect for exploring. Some you can only reach by sea, which is why kayak trips are so popular around the coast. For some serious natural history (and awesome snorkelling), head to Buccoo Reef on the north coast. Glass bottomed boats are the best way to see the reef without impacting on the fragile ecosystem.

Holidays to Tobago aren’t just for star-crossed lovers looking for a tropical paradise getaway. They’re perfect for a real treat of a family holiday too. With great value resorts and plenty of activities to keep the little darlings happy (like those beaches aren’t enough!), family holidays in Tobago give you the chance to spend some precious family time together. Here are a few of our favourite Tobago hotels:

• Grafton Beach Resort – tucked away in 5 acres of private gardens, this resort has everything you could want for a family holiday to Tobago. There’s a golf course for the fairway fanatics, a spa for unknotting those tense muscles, a games room and kids club for the children, and a 1-mile stretch of beach.
• Tropikist Beach Hotel – nestled away in 5 acres of manicured gardens, the Tropikist Beach hotel has all the amenities for the perfect family getaway. With their own kids pool to swim and splash about in, you can enjoy the breathtaking views on a sun lounger with a cocktail or two. If your little ones prefer the sea to the pool, Store Bay is just a short stroll away.

For years, holidays to the Caribbean were seen as a privilege for the rich and famous, who often ended up buying an island or two as a souvenir. Tobago all-inclusive holidays take care of your flights, accommodation, food and drink for the duration of your stay. Meaning all you need to do is sit back and relax.

• Coco Reef Resort and Spa – let’s up the ante a bit and go for some seriously luxurious all-inclusive, shall we? If you really want to push the boat out (perhaps treat your partner to the honeymoon of a lifetime or even get married in Tobago), the Coco Reef has you covered. Champagne bar? Of course! Water sports and spa treatments? It would be rude not to! Private beach with white sand and palm trees? Naturally! The Coco Reef offers top quality dining, superb facilities, and a flawless attention to detail as standard.
• Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort – upgrade to an all-inclusive holiday in Tobago at this luxury resort and you’ll get a complimentary daily spa session thrown in – how cool is that? The Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort is just a few steps from Stonehaven Bay, an 18-hole golf course, and some glorious walking trails.

One word. Rum. You cannot come to Tobago and not try the local grog. This stuff is unlike anything you’ve ever tried at home. It’s also incredibly strong (no, really. Sit down when you drink proper Caribbean rum), so don’t make any plans for afterwards if you’re going on a full-on ‘let’s try one from each of the top shelf’ session.

Food-wise, you’re in the heart of Creole country, and a popular favourite is Creole fish stew, served in a tomato and onion-based sauce with plenty of hot peppers (and we mean hot). Other specialities of the island include curried crab and dumplin’, which is a delicious coconut and crab curry served with dumplings. It has to be tasted to be believed. You’ll never eat a sad-looking soggy crab sandwich ever again after you’ve gobbled down a few plates of this tantalising taste bomb.

Tobago holidays are a chance to explore some of the island’s historic sights, and take part in some unusual festivals (if you’re here during Easter):

• Fort King George - the imposing Fort King George is a reminder of the island’s importance during the colonial fights between the UK, France and other countries during the 18th century. Built by the French in 1781, it’s a massive fort with some awesome views, as well as plenty of battlements for the kids to clamber over.
• Caroni Bird Sanctuary – keep your eyes peeled for the stunning Scarlet Ibis, and dozens of other native and incredibly colourful birds at this popular sanctuary. Wear thick clothing because the mosquitoes here are weaponised and possessed of a particularly belligerent temperament!
• Goat races – yes, you read that right. Easter Tuesday sees the uniquely Tobagan spectacle of goat racing. Don’t laugh, these guys are serious and some big bets are placed on the 3:30 race…
• Zip lining – no matter where you go in the world, zip lining is a ‘thing’. It’s no different in Tobago, where the zip lines will send you whizzing over the jungle below. Great fun for the kids, not so much if you don’t like heights.

• Tobago Heritage Festival – July/August – a two-week extravaganza of the island’s culture, history, music, and stories that proves this island is much more than just a holiday resort.
• TTPBA Great Race – August – powerboat racing is big in the Caribbean and this race is one of the biggest. Catch all the action as they travel around the northwest peninsula of the island at bone-shaking speeds.
• Diwali – October/November - this might be an unexpected festival to look out for, but the Hindu festival of Diwali is celebrated every year in some parts of Tobago.

You’re in the tropics, so expect tropical temperatures all year round. Tobago is slightly cooler than Trinidad (by a degree, so you really won’t notice any difference). The average temperatures all year round range between 18-34°C. The dry season runs from January to May, with the rainy season kicking in from June to December. Don’t be put off, though, as any showers you might encounter are usually confined to the evening, they’re short, light, and surprisingly warm! The closer to the beaches you are, the more temperate the climate, making this an ideal destination at any time of the year.

• Island hopping – don’t confine your holidays to Tobago to the one island. Trinidad is just a short hop away and ferries between the two islands run every day. If you want to save time then you can hop onto an inter-island flight, which is a great way to see the islands from above.
• By taxi – the best way to get around. Taxis are plentiful and very cheap. Look for cars with a licence plate that starts with a letter ‘H’. Larger taxis (known as Maxi Taxis or Maxis) are minibuses, so if you’re with a big group of friends they’re a good option for getting around.