The twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago has some great beaches, including some charming strands popular with day-trippers from the capital Port of Spain and the quiet Tobago getaway spots where Trini natives flock for their own holiday getaways.
Maracas Bay Beach, Trinidad
© Bob Curley
The half-moon-shaped Maracas Bay is home to a tranquil, well-maintained beach, protected by lifeguards and shaded by and palm trees. This is a popular spot for getaways from Port of Spain -- just consider the hour-long drive over the mountains as part of the fun. This is the beach where many revelers head to sleep off the annual Carnival celebration, and it's always great to take part in another local tradition available from the local beach shacks -- Bake and Shark, a Trinidadian dish of deep-fried shark stuffed in a pocket of deep-fried bread.
Las Cuevas Bay Beach, Trinidad
Keep driving past Maracas Bay to find Las Curvas (The Caves), which has gentle surf, a snack bar, picnic tables, changing rooms, and showers, as well as lifeguards on duty each day from 10 a.m. to p.m.Pigeon Point Beach, Tobago
© Bob Curley
Protected by the Buccoo Reef, Pigeon Point Beach is ideal for families and children. Located on a peninsula on a private coconut estate, the beach is lined with coconut palms, palapas, and a great beach bar/restaurant just steps from the cerulean sea.
Man-O-War Beach, Tobago
This west coast beach on Tobago is part of a small, friendly fishing village, charming and quiet, with calm waters and beautiful sunsets.Englishman’s Bay Beach, Tobago
© Abeeer via Flikr Creative Commons
Secluded and relaxing Englishman’s Bay has a mile-long U-shaped beach edged by a freshwater stream flowing from the Tobago rainforest; just offshore, brilliant coral reefs ripple with tropical fish.
