Arguably Tobago’s best asset is its natural resources. Tobago has that classic desert island Robinson Crusoe feel – undisturbed, verdant and impressive. The island is carpeted in thick, green rainforest and graced with a backbone of rugged hills – offering spectacular views of the blue bays and numerous small beaches that lie beneath them. A number of tour companies exist and will gladly take you to all the best spots. This article describes a little bit more about the places worth visiting and helps to give you a feel of what to expect whether you’re on an organised tour or out and about with your own wheels…
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Overview Trinidad and Tobago, originally part of the South American continent, has retained many of the plants and animals of South America, leaving the islands with a diversity of flora and fauna quite disproportionate to the twin island republic’s size. 260 species of birds breed in Trinidad and Tobago and over 150 migrate here from North and South America. Over 430 species of birds, and over 600 species of butterflies have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to possessing the flora and fauna of South America, these islands are also influenced by their geographic location, being a perfect stopping point for Northern or Southern migratory birds, butterflies or anything drifting in the ocean or wind currents. Habitats include Tropical Rain Forest, Savannah, Semi – deciduous Forest, Mangrove Swamp and Marsh Lands. Many rivers and waterfalls are to be found in Tobago and Highland Waterfall (shown right) is one of the most famous. The development of Tobago’s eco-system dates back to 1766 when the colonial governor, a conservationist ahead of his time, declared the central mountain ridge and its surrounding lands a Crown Reserve, making Tobago’s the oldest legally-protected forest in the world. Birdwatching Birdwatching throughout Tobago is first-rate. There are formally-designated sanctuaries like Little Tobago Island, off the coast of Speyside, where the where you can see the White-Tailed Tropicbird soaring and gliding off the windswept cliffs; in March and April, it is possible to get close to the nests and observe the baby birds. Giles Islands, off the north tip of Tobago, is a protected breeding-ground for the magnificent Frigatebird or Man-O-War bird. Truth is, even from the comfort of your balcony, you can happily enjoy tens of bird species, all shapes & sizes, going about their business making all sorts of noises and sporting eye-catching plumage. So even if you’re not an avid bird-watcher, it is hard not to be taken in by Tobago’s bird life. |
The boardwalk at Petit Trou |
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Marine eco-system The nutrient-rich runoff into the mouth of the Orinoco River has resulted in waters between Trinidad, Tobago and the Continent teeming with marine life; Tobago has excellent diversity – the reef systems are varied ranging from shallow lagoons (trips to Buccoo Reef go from the pier at Pigeon Point – shown below left) to coral-encrusted offshore underwater pinnacles (Sisters Rocks) where large pelagics like rays, turtles and sharks are quite common. With very limited commercial development Tobago’s marine ecosystem has been spared the problems of eutrophication, coral reef death and habitat destruction. Tobago is as much a blueprint for coral reef and tropical marine ecosystems as you’re likely to find anywhere. |
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Turtle Watching Each spring, March to June, giant Leatherback turtles come to Tobago’s North shore beaches to lay their eggs. The baby turtles emerge 55 to 70 days later. Guidelines for Turtle Watching
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