The mention of Tobago brings to mind clear blue seas, wide sandy beaches, colourful coral reefs and coconut palms swaying in balmy tropic breezes. While the island offers all of these, this Caribbean island has much more to discover. Explore the green depths of Tobago's Rainforest Reserve, the oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere or drift dive with Manta Rays and Sharks. The options for adventure are abundant, from cycling, bird watching and kayaking, to goat and crab racing.
Hiking
Tobago has something exciting for hikers of every age and ability. From a relaxing walk through the Hemisphere's oldest rainforest to a challenging six hour trek through abandoned cocoa estates and woodland to a mountain lake.
Bird Watching
Tobago has several great sites for bird watching, including a former cocoa estate converted into a bird sanctuary. Bird watchers will also enjoy Little Tobago. Once home to Birds of Paradise, the island now provides a protected habitat for sea birds.
Drift Diving
Drift diving is a great option for exploring Tobago's spectacular coral gardens and reefs. Some unusual sites exist off the island's northeast coast, but the island is surrounded by reefs, so the diving is great everywhere.
Mountain Biking
Tobago has everything a mountain biker of any level can want and bicycles are widely available for rental. The southwestern side of the island provides a relatively easy ride with flat land and gentle inclines. The northeastern end of the island provides spectacular trails with steep climbs and exhilarating descents.
Kayaking
Protected by the Buccoo Reef, the azure waters of Tobago's Buccoo Bay and Bon Accord Lagoon provide a gentle kayaking area with only gentle swells. The fringing mangrove swamps of the Bon Accord Lagoon provide a scenic contrast to the white sand beaches along Pigeon Point at the centre of Buccoo Bay.
Goat and Crab Racing
Surrounded by pageantry and pomp, goat racing was introduced to Tobago in 1925 as an Easter Tuesday activity. It is similar to horse racing with goats being carelly selected and trained. Jockeys are also required to be fit as they do not ride their steeds but must run alongside the goats while holding on to long leashes. The crab races are also keenly competitive with only the most robust crabs being entered to race. Blue crabs, the favoured breed, are harnessed with a piece of string and prodded by their jockeys to run towards the finish line.
