Trinidad and Tobago, two islands located in the Caribbean Sea. The name Caribe conjures up images of blue seas and white sand beaches set against green hills. It brings to mind images of lounging on the beach drinking pina coladas or rum and coke. For the vacation traveler, Tobago meets those expectations. However, for outdoor enthusiasts, Trinidad and Tobago can be islands of outdoor recreational adventures with hiking trails and hidden waterfalls, bird and turtle watching, biking through a verdant countryside, or kayaking. through forests full of wildlife.
Trinidad and Tobago has a variety of hiking opportunities, many of which lead to waterfalls. Rincón Waterfall in the Rincón Valley on the north coast of Trinidad is a 250-foot vertical drop. The hike begins in the valley amid small farms, fording several crystalline streams, then meanders uphill, culminating in a steep descent to the base of the waterfall. The 32-kilometre trail from Blanchisuese to Matelot on the north coast of Trinidad is considered a gem. Throughout the walk, virgin jungles alternate with virgin beaches. Leaving from Blanchisuese, it meets Paria Bay after two to three hours (depending on the hiker’s fitness level). A short trail from the beach leads to Paria Waterfall, where there is a deep, clear pool below the falls surrounded by heliconias, fringed lilies, and philodendrons. If you choose to continue the hike after Paria Bay, the trail winds over a succession of small ridges, crossing several small streams, until it meets Gran Tacarib, which is a 1.2 kilometer crescent-shaped beach. From Gran Tacarib, the trail continues to the Madamas River and then Madamas Beach. Both Playa Madamas and Gran Tacarib are nesting sites for leatherback turtles, during the nesting season from March to September. After Madamas it is a continuation of the walk up and down and crossing small streams and then the Petite Riviere river. The trail continues through abandoned land with cocoa, coffee, tonka bean, nutmeg and papaya until it reaches the Matelot River and the town of Matelot.
For those who want to lie on the beach but also partake in some outdoor activity, there are several less strenuous hikes. Argyle Waterfall on the outskirts of Roxborough in Tobago is an easy hike along the Argyle River to a three-tiered waterfall. The hike to the Rio Seco waterfall on the northeast coast of Trinidad traverses semi-cultivated land and then through majestic blackberry forests to a small waterfall with a refreshing emerald pool, ideal for swimming.
Both Trinidad and Tobago abound in birdlife, and an avian show can be seen on almost every corner. Trinidad and Tobago has some of the most diverse bird species found in one place with over 460. This variety of species can perhaps be attributed to the fact that the islands lie close to South America, so the Migration is easier, resulting in an unusually diverse fauna. . Asa Wright Nature Center, is Trinidad and Tobago’s premier birding spot and has been widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful ecotourism stories. The list of birds that can be seen in this center is too extensive for this article but they have been identified in the vicinity of 159. Purple Honeycreeper, Green Honeycreeper, Crested Oriole, Silver-billed Tanager, White-necked Jacobin Hummingbird, Bananaquit, Red-legged, White-breasted Emerald Hummingbird, Cocoa Thrush, Chestnut-chested Woodpecker, Large Batar Anteater. This Nature Center is located at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet in the foothills of the Northern Cordillera, seven miles from the town of Arima. It is reached by a single lane road that winds through green countryside dotted with small villages and isolated houses. There are numerous trails throughout the property and very knowledgeable guides.
Grafton Wildlife Sanctuary, Tobago, is a former cocoa and coconut farm that was destroyed by Hurricane Flora in 1963 and became a wildlife sanctuary as a result. is approx. 200 acres in size and is covered in secondary forest. There are three main forest trails. As you enter, the first trail on the right leads downhill and is relatively short. The second trail on the left also leads gradually downhill and then eventually climbs uphill. The main path, which is directly in front of the entrance, leads uphill and winds past several abandoned buildings and stables. There are benches along the main path and at some points they provide panoramic views. There are at least three smaller trails that branch off the main trail up the hill, but they are not always maintained. The three main forest trails are maintained. It is possible to spend a pleasant hour or four intense hours. The entire sanctuary abounds in birds of various species.
Trinidad and Tobago are islands in the Caribbean Sea, so there are countless opportunities for kayaking. However, for those who don’t want to deal with big waves, swells or ocean currents, Trinidad and Tobago offers a selection of sheltered saltwater and freshwater kayaking opportunities. Two kayaking areas of special interest are the Bon Accord Lagoon and the Godineau River.
The blue waters of Buccoo Bay and Bon Accord Lagoon in Tobago are protected by the offshore Buccoo Reef, providing an area for kayaking with only gentle surf. Kayak rentals are available at the nearby Storebay and also at Pigeon Point. The mangrove swamps that line Bon Accord Lagoon provide a scenic contrast to the white-sand beaches along Pigeon Point and in the center of Buccoo Bay. Branches of the reef are also home to adjacent Milford Bay, allowing for kayaking southeast from Bon Accord Lagoon around Pigeon Point and into Milford Bay or vice versa.
The Godineau River in southern Trinidad, also known as the South Oropouche River, is one of the rivers in Trinidad that provides year-round kayaking opportunities as the water level is always sufficient. Kayaking in the Godineau area takes you through a variety of habitats, from saltwater mangroves to freshwater swamps to partially cultivated areas. A variety of birds can be seen on these kayak trips, including the scarlet ibis, southern lapwing, osprey, sabanero hawk, baleen jacana, cattle egret, yellow-hooded blackbird, lesser yellow duckling, black-bellied whistling duck and a variety of migratory ducks (during northern winter). This kayak trip can be started from the sea along the area known as Mosquito Creek or inland from the Woodland area.
Trinidad’s network of old farm and oil roads, plus (relatively) quiet country roads, along with hiking trails, provide a variety of cycling surfaces and environments. More terrain varies from flat terrain to rolling slopes and hillsides. For those with a preference for road biking, almost all areas of Trinidad have rural roads with low vehicle traffic. The long-distance cyclist will be able to find undulating terrain with natural views. Those whose interest lies in mountain biking can find forest trails with logs, bamboo, and streams along the trail that require navigation and skill.
So next time you’re looking for a different kind of outdoor recreation, experience Trinidad and Tobago Islands of Adventure.