About Tobago

Tobago is a stunningly beautiful tropical island just 26 miles long and 8 miles wide (42 by 10 kilometres) and 10 degrees north of the equator, with a rugged, craggy coastline, deserted palm-fringed beaches, enchanting coral reefs and a wealth of protected rainforest. With no heavy industry, very light development and only a handful of all-inclusive resorts, Tobago has remained exceptionally natural and unspoilt. The Tobagonians have pride in their culture and heritage and are extremely friendly and welcoming, making Tobago a very safe island to explore.

The most developed areas of Tobago are in the Lowlands - the coral and limestone plateau of the southwest. Situated in this region are Crown Point International Airport, a few smart hotels along the Caribbean coast, Buccoo Reef, the fine white sandy beaches of Pigeon Point and Store Bay, and Scarborough - the colourful and picturesque capital and port.

Tobago's windward (south) coast, pounded by the powerful, white-capped waves of the Atlantic Ocean, is dotted with charming fishing villages, of which Speyside is possibly the most notable. The leeward (north) Caribbean coast has an array of beautiful coral sand beaches such as Castara, Englishman's Bay, Parlatuvier and Bloody Bay, often deserted except for a few fishermen. The most northerly of the villages along this coast, Charlotteville, lies at the juncture with the Atlantic Ocean and, like Speyside, has impressive coral reefs - many within swimming distance of the beach - ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling.

The landscape of the eastern interior rises steeply into the hills which comprise the central Main Ridge. These rocky elevations shelter the rainforest which falls sharply away to the palm-fringed, sandy beaches below. Dripping with moisture and shrouded in mist, the rainforest is a veritable paradise for naturalists and birdwatchers.

Little Tobago - about 3 miles (5km) out to sea and just 1 mile (1½ km) long at its widest point - is a solitary, uninhabited seabird sanctuary off Speyside. Local fishermen will be happy to take visitors to see the island with its resident terns, boobies and the red-billed tropic bird.

History of Tobago

Possession of the island of Tobago has been fought over by many nations for several centuries since being discovered by Columbus in 1498. The original Carib population were forced to defend their island against other Amerindian tribes, then against European colonists during the late 1500's and early 1600's. Over the years, the Dutch, English and French transformed Tobago into a battle zone and the island changed hands 31 times before it was finally ceded to the British in 1814 under the Treaty of Paris.

From about 1672, during a period of stability that came with temporary British rule, plantation culture began. Sugar, cotton and indigo factories sprang up and Africans were imported to work on the estates as slaves. The economy flourished and by 1777 Tobago was exporting great quantities of rum, cotton, indigo and sugar. However, when the French invaded again in 1781, destroying the plantations and forcing the British governor to surrender, the island's buoyant economy fell into decline.

In 1814, when the island was again under British control, another phase of successful sugar production followed. But a severe hurricane in 1847, combined with the collapse of the West India Bank (plantation underwriters), marked the end of the sugar trade in Tobago. Without the highly profitable sugar production, Britain had no further use for Tobago and in 1889 the island was made a ward of Trinidad. Without sugar, the islanders had to grow other crops, planting acres of limes, coconuts and cocoa and exporting their produce to Trinidad. In 1963, Hurricane Flora ravaged Tobago, destroying the villages and crops. A restructuring programme followed where attempts were made to diversify the economy and the development of a tourist industry began.

Have a look through our Photo Gallery to view some of the beauty of Tobago.

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