Scarborough is the capital of Tobago — the smaller of the two islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, located at the southern end of the Caribbean chain just 20 miles northeast of Trinidad. While Trinidad is the larger, more industrial island, Tobago is its unspoiled twin — a lush, mountainous island of extraordinary natural beauty, pristine coral reefs, rainforest, and some of the finest beaches in the southern Caribbean.
Tobago has a complex colonial history — the island changed hands between the Spanish, Dutch, French, and British no fewer than 22 times before Britain took permanent control in 1814. This layered heritage is visible in the island's architecture, cuisine, and culture. Today Tobago is widely considered one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets — far less developed than most cruise destinations, with genuine local character and a pace of life that reflects the island's motto: "No problem."
The island is particularly renowned for its natural environments. The Main Ridge Forest Reserve — established in 1776 — is the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere. The surrounding waters are part of the Buccoo Reef Marine Park, home to some of the Caribbean's healthiest coral reef systems. Nylon Pool, Pigeon Point, and Store Bay are among the most celebrated natural attractions in the southern Caribbean.
Weather is warm and consistent year-round — temperatures range from 74–87°F with little variation. Tobago sits just south of the main hurricane belt, making it one of the Caribbean's safest year-round destinations from a weather perspective.
Know Before You Go
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Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago – Quick Facts
Where You Dock in Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
Pier locations and what's available at each terminal.
Ships dock directly at the Scarborough Cruise Ship Terminal on the southwestern coast of Tobago — no tender required. The terminal is adjacent to the Scarborough Ferry Terminal (which connects Tobago to Trinidad) and within easy walking distance of Scarborough's town center.
⚓ Scarborough Cruise Ship Terminal
Milford Road, Scarborough, Tobago. A modern facility with tourist information, souvenir vendors, registered taxi services, and excursion operators on site. Fort King George — one of Tobago's most important historic sites — is visible on the hill directly above the terminal and within easy walking distance uphill.
Getting Around Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
Transportation options once you're ashore.
🚶 Walking
Scarborough's town center, Scarborough Market, and Fort King George are all within easy walking distance of the terminal. The town is compact and hilly — Fort King George sits on the hill above the port with a rewarding climb. Most beaches and natural attractions beyond the immediate town require transportation.
🚕 Registered Taxis
The primary transport option for cruise passengers — registered taxis queue at the terminal. Always agree on the fare before getting in. Taxi drivers are generally knowledgeable and friendly — many offer informal island tours at reasonable rates. A round-trip to Pigeon Point or Store Bay runs approximately $20–$30 USD equivalent. For island-wide touring, negotiate a half-day rate with a driver at the terminal.
🚌 Route Taxis & Buses
Shared route taxis and public buses operate on the island's main roads between Scarborough and Crown Point (near Pigeon Point and Store Bay). Inexpensive but require local knowledge to use effectively — not the most time-efficient option on a port day with limited hours.
🚗 Car Rental
Available on Tobago — several agencies operate near the terminal and at the airport. Driving is on the left side of the road. A valid driver's license and credit card are required. Roads outside Scarborough and Crown Point can be narrow and winding. A rental car gives excellent flexibility for reaching the island's more remote eastern beaches and the rainforest. Book in advance as availability can be limited.
Things To Do in Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
Make the most of your time ashore.
🎯 Tobago offers extraordinary natural experiences alongside colonial history — here are the best ways to spend a port day:
Buccoo Reef Glass-Bottom Boat Tour & Nylon Pool — The most popular and accessible excursion from Scarborough — glass-bottom boats depart from Store Bay for a tour of the Buccoo Reef Marine Park (one of the Caribbean's healthiest coral reef systems with abundant tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral) followed by a stop at the magical Nylon Pool — a knee-deep natural sand bar in the middle of the open sea. About 2 hours total. Book through the terminal or directly at Store Bay. The essential Tobago water experience.
Fort King George — Visible on the hill directly above the cruise terminal — a beautifully preserved 18th-century British fort with spectacular panoramic views over Scarborough, the harbor, and the Caribbean. The fort contains the Tobago Museum with exhibits covering the island's complex colonial history, and the Fine Arts Centre. A short uphill walk of about 15 minutes from the terminal — free to enter the grounds, small fee for the museum. One of the most rewarding colonial forts in the Caribbean.
Pigeon Point Heritage Park — Tobago's most iconic beach — the long arc of white sand, thatched palapa pier, and calm turquoise water that appears on every Tobago postcard. About 10 minutes by taxi. Entrance fee applies. Beach chairs, water sports, and a restaurant on site. Best in the morning before the afternoon crowds. One of the genuinely most beautiful beaches in the southern Caribbean.
Main Ridge Forest Reserve — Rainforest Birdwatching — The oldest legally protected forest in the western hemisphere (established 1776) covers the spine of Tobago's interior. Over 210 bird species have been recorded here including the white-tailed sabrewing, blue-backed manakin, and Tobago's national bird, the scarlet ibis. Guided birding tours are available and the early morning forest atmosphere — mist, howling monkeys, birdsong — is extraordinary.
Scarborough Town Walk & Market — A short walking tour of Scarborough gives genuine insight into everyday Tobagonian life. The colourful Scarborough Market, the 1825 Methodist Church, the historic courthouse, and the waterfront are all within easy walking distance of the terminal. Combine with Fort King George for a complete half-day introduction to the island's history and culture.
Crab and Dumplings at Store Bay — Miss Trim's and Miss Jean's legendary food stalls at Store Bay serve Tobago's definitive dish — curry crab and dumplings that visitors travel from around the world to taste. Store Bay is also the departure point for Buccoo Reef tours and adjacent to Pigeon Point. Combining a morning at Pigeon Point with lunch at Store Bay and an afternoon reef tour is the perfect Tobago port day itinerary.
Beaches & Outdoors in Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
The best beaches, parks, and outdoor experiences for cruise passengers.
🏖️ Tobago has some of the finest and least commercialized beaches in the Caribbean — here are the standouts accessible on a port day:
Pigeon Point Heritage Park
The most iconic beach in Tobago and one of the most photographed in the Caribbean — a long arc of brilliant white sand with calm, shallow turquoise water and the famous thatched palapa pier extending into the sea. Small entrance fee. Beach chair and umbrella rentals, a restaurant, and water sports available. About 10 minutes from the terminal by taxi. The definitive Tobago beach experience.
Store Bay
Adjacent to Pigeon Point — a lively, local beach with excellent food stalls serving the best crab and dumplings and curry crab in Tobago (Miss Trim's and Miss Jean's are the legendary names). A more authentic and energetic alternative to Pigeon Point's manicured atmosphere. The departure point for Buccoo Reef glass-bottom boat tours.
Nylon Pool
A natural shallow pool in the middle of the sea — reached by glass-bottom boat from Store Bay. Crystal-clear warm water over white sand just knee-deep, seemingly floating in the middle of the ocean. Local legend holds that swimming in Nylon Pool restores youth and vitality. One of Tobago's most unique and beloved natural features.
Englishman's Bay
About 45 minutes east of Scarborough on the leeward north coast — a pristine, sheltered cove backed by dense rainforest with no development whatsoever. Widely considered one of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches in the entire Caribbean. Requires a rental car or organized taxi tour to reach but is genuinely worth the journey.
Castara Bay
A charming fishing village beach about 35 minutes west of Scarborough — one of Tobago's most authentic and picturesque communities. Fishing boats share the bay with swimmers, a handful of small guesthouses and rum bars line the shore, and the forest comes right down to the water. An excellent alternative for those wanting genuine local character.
Shopping in Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
Where to shop and what to look for.
🛍️ Tobago's shopping is centered on authentic local crafts, rum, hot sauce, and handmade goods — not duty-free mall retail. The best shopping is at the market and the craft stalls near Store Bay:
Scarborough Market
The authentic heart of Scarborough — a lively covered market a short walk from the terminal selling fresh tropical fruit, vegetables, spices, local crafts, clothing, and household goods. The best place in Tobago to experience everyday local life and buy fresh produce and spices to take home. Go in the morning for the best selection and energy.
Store Bay Craft Village
A collection of craft stalls adjacent to Store Bay beach — handmade jewelry, batik clothing, woodcarvings, straw goods, and Caribbean crafts sold directly by local artisans. More authentic and better quality than typical cruise port souvenir stalls. Bargaining is expected and normal.
What to Buy
Angostura bitters and rum — produced in Trinidad since 1824, Angostura bitters is the world's most widely used cocktail ingredient, made exclusively in T&T. Excellent locally produced rums are also available at good prices. Pepper sauce — Trinidad and Tobago's fiery scotch bonnet pepper sauces are extraordinary and widely available. Cacao and cocoa products — Trinidad and Tobago grows some of the world's finest Trinitario cacao; local chocolate and cocoa tea are excellent souvenirs. Batik and tie-dye clothing — locally made Caribbean resort wear in vivid colors.
Dining in Scarborough, Trinidad & Tobago
Where to eat and drink ashore.
🍽️ Tobagonian cuisine is some of the most distinctive in the Caribbean — a blend of African, Indian, Creole, and colonial British influences with extraordinarily bold flavors. Crab and dumplings is the island's signature dish:
Essential Dishes to Try — Crab and dumplings (Tobago's defining dish — blue land crab in a rich coconut curry with boiled flour dumplings — mandatory at Store Bay), curry crab, callaloo (dasheen leaf soup with crab or coconut milk), roti (flatbread filled with curried chickpeas, potato, or meat — a Trinidadian staple), doubles (fried bara bread with curried chickpeas and pepper sauce — the ultimate T&T street food), bake and shark, and fresh coconut water from the roadside. The Indian culinary influence from Trinidad's large Indo-Trinidadian population makes the local curry traditions outstanding.
Miss Trim's & Miss Jean's — Store Bay
Store Bay Beach · Legendary Local · $ · Crab & Dumplings
The two most famous food stalls in Tobago — generations of visitors have made the pilgrimage to Store Bay specifically for the crab and dumplings served here. Both women have been cooking their signature dish for decades. Arrive early as supplies run out. An essential and genuinely extraordinary Tobago culinary experience.
Kariwak Village Restaurant
Crown Point · Organic Caribbean · $$$ · Award-winning
One of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean — organic herb garden-to-table cooking using local and indigenous ingredients. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a menu that changes daily based on what's available. The Saturday barbecue with live steel pan music is legendary. About 15 minutes from the terminal by taxi.
La Tartaruga
Buccoo · Italian-Caribbean Fusion · $$$$
A beloved Tobago institution — an Italian chef who arrived in Tobago decades ago and never left, creating an extraordinary fusion of Italian technique and Caribbean ingredients. Homemade pasta, fresh local seafood, and a wine list that is exceptional for this part of the Caribbean. The most romantic restaurant on the island.
Café Coco
Crown Point · Caribbean · $$$
A stylish open-air restaurant with excellent Caribbean and international cuisine — consistently one of the most popular dining destinations near Pigeon Point and Store Bay. Good for a celebratory lunch after a morning at the beach.
Top Tours & Shore Excursions
Book before you board for best availability and pricing.
Argyle Waterfall and Adventure Farm Tobago
⏱ 5-6 Hours · Moderate activity
<p>This small tour is a combination of sightseeing and learning about Tobago’s flora and fauna. You will walk for 20 min...
Book This Tour →Englishmans Bay Day Trip Tobago
⏱ 5-6 Hours · Easy activity
<p>Just like a picture postcard, this beach will be a great place to spend the day swimming and snorkeling. Take a full ...
Book This Tour →Full Island Tour Tobago
⏱ 8.5 Hours · Easy activity
<p>A popular tour with visitors, you can go on a full or half day tour of the island. Learn a bit about the history and ...
Book This Tour →Tobago Buccoo Reef Glass Bottom Boat Tour
⏱ 3.5 Hours · Moderate activity
<p>Have the vantage point of a glass-bottom boat to see all the beautiful exotic fish, coral gardens and sea grass on th...
Book This Tour →Tobago Rainforest Tour
⏱ 3-4 Hours · High activity
<p>Hike the rainforest of Tobago. It is the oldest protected rainforest in the Western hemisphere. A professional guide ...
Book This Tour →Cruise Passenger Tips & Photos
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