Tobago / Special Interests / Beach

Tobago is a great island to visit if you like largely deserted beaches. These vary from the white coral sands of the Caribbean coast on the south-west  to the darker volcanic sands of the Atlantic coast.
 
Store Bay is one of the most popular beaches, especially for swimming and is on the doorstep of a number of hotels and apartments including Crown Point Beach on its southern end. The beach has a number of public facilities, including lifeguards, a craft market, restaurant and vendors. It is also the departure point for trips to Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool.  At the north end, on the bluff is Coco Reef Resort & Spa, which has its own private, man-made beach, Coconut Bay on the opposite side, and only accessible via the resort.  If you’re not a guest, you have to pay a fee. 
 
Pigeon Point Heritage Park is Tobago’s most beautiful beach and home to the iconic thatched roofed jetty.  It is close to most of the hotels, apartments and holiday villas in the area, and used for a number of island events. There is a charge to go on the beach which is good for swimming and is also manned by lifeguards.  
 
Buccoo Bay by Buccoo village is a long narrow white sand beach that is largely deserted at its southern end but good for swimming and protected by Buccoo Reef. Heading up the coast, right by the road is Grange Bay, known locally as The Wall and lies just south of the Mount Irvine Golf Course. The beach is ideal for swimming and popular with surfers in the winter season. Nearby, Mount Irvine Bay which has two beaches, the smaller of which is used by the resort, Mt Irvine Beach Hotel (actually across the road), and is also good for swimming. The beach is also popular with surfers from December to March and there is a public beach facility with bar and restaurant to the north end.  The area is also known for its villas, a number of which are within walking distance, though a car is recommended.
 
In the Black Rock area are two large bays. Stonehaven Bay is home to Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort, Grafton Beach Resort and Plantation Beach Villas.  Its beach has dark golden sand and though popular for swimming does experience high swells and powerful currents at certain times of the year. It is also a turtle nesting site. Just around the promontory is Great Courland Bay, also known as Turtle Beach, an important leatherback turtle nesting site.  The Turtle Beach Hotel is located to the northern end and organises turtle watches from March to August.
 
Moving further north and still on the Caribbean side is Culloden Bay, which is a small rocky bay and beach ideal for snorkelling and close to the Footprint Eco Resort. Halfway along this section of coastline is Castara Bay, which has two golden sandy beaches, both great for swimming and is the focus of the village with fisherman pulling in their nets every morning. There are a couple of small apartments and guest houses, and overlooking the bay is Castara Retreat. Man O’ War Bay is huge and encompasses smaller bays such as Hermitage Bay, Cambleton Bay and Pirate’s Bay and there are some places to stay, mostly guest houses. Charlotteville has a mile long sandy beach which is great for swimming. 
 
On the Atlantic side in the Speyside area, which is a haven for divers, there are a number of apartment hotels mostly catering to them.  On the picturesque Batteaux Bay is Blue Waters Inn, which has a good swimming and snorkelling beach and its own dive centre.   The area also attracts birdwatchers.   Heading back down the coast towards Scarborough is Bacolet Beach with Blue Haven Hotel above, a couple of holiday homes and Bacolet Beach Club nearby.  Little Rockley Bay at Lowlands is the home of the Tobago Plantations Golf Course, the former Hilton hotel (not in operation) and a development of villas and condos, a number of which are holiday rentals. The beach is popular with kitesurfers.    
 
For more information see our Tobago Beach Life section.