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Scarborough
Tobago’s hilly harbour capital, with a hilltop fort and beaches nearby
Tobago’s hilly harbour capital, with a hilltop fort and beaches nearby
The British-built 18th-century fort on the hill above the town has cannons, old barracks and gardens, plus the Tobago Museum with exhibits on the island’s Amerindian, colonial and African heritage. The views over Scarborough and the coast are the best in town.
Go in the late afternoon for the light and the breeze.
Photo: 999real, CC0
The compact centre near the port has shops, banks, a busy market with fruit, vegetables and fish, and local food stalls. The Botanical Gardens are a short walk away, a peaceful green space in the middle of town.
Market days are liveliest; go in the morning.
Photo: Anneli Salo, CC BY-SA 3.0
Near the airport at Crown Point, Store Bay is one of Tobago’s most popular beaches, with food huts serving crab and dumpling and boats leaving for Buccoo Reef and the Nylon Pool.
Try crab and dumpling from the beachside stalls.
Photo: Kalamazadkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tobago’s postcard beach, with its thatched jetty, palms and calm, shallow water, is in the Pigeon Point Heritage Park. An entrance fee gives access to facilities, and the beach is popular for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Arrive early for shade under the palms.
Photo: Kalamazadkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0
The rainforest along Tobago’s central ridge was protected in 1776 and is often described as the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere. Trails such as the Gilpin Trace are rich in birdlife, including hummingbirds and motmots.
Hire a local guide at the trailhead to spot birds.
Photo: Aivar Ruukel, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tobago is famous for curry crab and dumpling, as well as fresh fish, macaroni pie, callaloo and roti. Scarborough’s market and food stalls offer cheap local meals.
The Crown Point area near the airport has the widest choice of restaurants and beach bars.
ANR Robinson International Airport is about 11km from Scarborough, with short flights from Trinidad and some international routes. The inter-island ferry connects Scarborough with Port of Spain in Trinidad; book ahead, especially around holidays.
Buses run from Scarborough to most parts of the island; route taxis and rental cars are common for exploring.
Trinidad and Tobago uses the TT dollar (TTD). US dollars are often accepted in tourist areas.
Crab and dumpling stalls are good value.
Many visitors stay in Crown Point.
Carnival and Easter are peak periods.
Two days combines town, beaches and rainforest.
Morning at the market and Botanical Gardens, then Fort King George and the Tobago Museum. Afternoon at Store Bay and Pigeon Point.
Take a route taxi between town and Crown Point.
Drive along the island to the Main Ridge Forest Reserve and walk the Gilpin Trace, then stop at a quiet beach on the north coast.
Start early for the best birdwatching.
Ferries between Trinidad and Tobago fill up at holidays.
Shared route taxis are cheap; agree the fare first.
June to December brings showers; mornings are usually clearer.
Small vendors and market stalls prefer cash.
Quick answers for planning time in Scarborough.
By ferry from Port of Spain to Scarborough or by a short flight to ANR Robinson airport.
Visit Fort King George and the Tobago Museum, the market and Botanical Gardens, then head to nearby beaches.
Store Bay and Pigeon Point near Crown Point are the most popular.
Tobago’s rainforest, protected since 1776 and known for birdwatching trails such as the Gilpin Trace.
January to May is the dry season.
Planning a wider trip? Our Trinidad and Tobago travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.