Upper Caribbean
Following the Lower Caribbean, the Upper Caribbean offers a variety of smaller and medium-sized bays, usually framed by impressive rock formations. On the way to the beach there is therefore often a great panoramic view of the Caribbean. For a comprehensive impression of the nature of this section, an organised boat trip is recommended, e.g. with Alibaba from Castara along the coast to No Man’s Land. The following list gives a small impression of the situation and the conditions clockwise.
NEW! Explore the beaches on our interactive map (opens in a new window). Click on the symbol of the respective section in the map and the corresponding information is displayed.
Anse Fromager
A small rocky section accessible via the Mot Mot Trail.
Culloden Bay
A small, rocky and quite unknown bay, which offers ideal conditions for snorkeling. Follow the signs of the “Eco Resort” and continue at the hotel. From Culloden Bay you can reach the two smaller bays Washerwoman’s Bay and Little Bay.
King Peter’s Bay
A lonely bay with dark sand that is perfect for snorkeling. Please do not take any valuables with you. Access is via an easy 4.5 kilometre path.
Gordon Bay & Celery Bay
This recommendable bay is also known as Cotton Bay and represents the mouth of the Cuffie River into the sea. It can be reached from the road or by boat from Castara or Bloody Bay. It is also visited by some boat tour providers for picnics. The small Gordon Bay can also be reached from here.
Castara Bay
Castara has two beautiful sandy beaches, about 2.5 kilometres long, separated by a rock. The Big Bay is home to the fishermen and their cooperative. In the mornings and evenings you can watch the fishermen preparing, leaving, arriving and unloading the small boats. In the late afternoon you can enjoy the fantastic sunset over the Caribbean. The small bay, also called Heavenly Bay, is usually almost deserted and perfect for snorkeling. With any luck, you’ll see a manta ray or a turtle.
Above the village many viewpoints offer a great view over the coast and the sea. The view from the terrace or balcony is also convincing for many accommodations. A small waterfall slightly away from the village with its lagoon offers an opportunity to cool off. The importance of tourism has increased significantly in Castara in recent years, fortunately the activities to date have been carried out largely in harmony with nature. The small restaurants in Castara are a good place to enjoy a snack or a cool Carb during an excursion day.
Little Englishman’s Bay
Little Englishman’s Bay offers good bathing conditions with quite difficult access
Englishman’s Bay
Away from the road lies this 800-metre-long sandy beach, which merges into deep and calm water. This secluded beach is one of the most beautiful on the island and very good for snorkeling.
Parlatuvier Bay
A great beach, even if the water gets deep quite fast and the sea gets rough. The small fishing village of Parlatuvier is synonymous with the original Tobago.
Dead Bay
The bay is named after a bloody sea battle after which the beach was flooded by lifeless bodies. Access is only possible through a strenuous hike. It is advisable to book a guide for this in Bloody Bay.
Bloody Bay
The unattractive name can be traced back to a battle in 1666 in which an English fleet crashed an alliance of Dutch and French ships. According to legend, the battle was so terrible that the sea turned red. However, there is also the variant that the fight between plantation owners and slaves took place. There is no concrete evidence for one story or another.
Bloody Bay is a beautiful and quiet bay with golden sand and crystal clear waters. Except for the fishermen, it is usually deserted. It is the last bay on the northern Caribbean coast before the road bends through the rainforest to Roxborough.
This beach is not easy to reach but beautiful. From the village L’Anse Fourmi a 600 meter long path leads through the rainforest to this 100 meter long sandy beach. The way is a bit difficult to find – but the friendly inhabitants of this small dreamy village are happy to help.
Man O’War Bay
This large bay contains smaller bays such as Hermitage Bay, Cambleton Bay and Pirate’s Bay. So here in Charlotteville is a great, approx. 1.5 km long sandy beach with good swimming conditions. Towards Cambleton there are changing rooms, a WC and a station with bathing supervision. There is also the possibility to buy soft drinks and snacks.
It is advisable to contact one of the men at the Fishermen Cooperative and ask for a ride to Lover´s Bay. The sand shines in different colors and the water there is probably one of the best places for snorkeling on the island.
Pirate’s Bay
This great bay was the scene of numerous scenes of the 1952 Robinson Crusoe film and is the epitome of the Caribbean beach. The name refers to the fact that about 300 years ago a group of plundering pirates had their retreat here.
From Charlotteville a dirt road leads to the beach – always left towards the sea. The walk takes about 20 minutes. A small sign shows the way out of the town. Since a long staircase with 170 steps leads down to the end, sturdy shoes are recommended. It is strongly discouraged to drive further than the city by car. The way to the bay is partly very narrow and offers no alternative possibilities. So go on foot and enjoy the view over the bay.
On the beach there is a toilet, a changing room and a small stand to buy coconuts and coconut water. The conditions for snorkeling are excellent.
Iguana Bay
A beautiful, secluded bay on the northern tip of the island that can only be reached by boat. From there you have a great view of St. Giles Islands. Due to the location not really suitable for snorkeling.
