The Lat Long coordinates for Scarborough, Tobago’s main port, is 11 degrees 12 minutes north and 60 degrees 44 minutes west. There are two main ports of entry to Tobago, Scarborough on the south side of the island and Charlotteville on the northeast side of the island.
Tobago is a very beautiful island twenty-seven miles long and seven miles wide with many bays to anchor and discover all parts of the island. The approach to Tobago is made from all the cardinal points but the popular accesses are from the north of Granada, from the east an Atlantic crossing from Cape Verdi, from the south, Brazil, Venezuela or its sister island Trinidad, and from the west it is more difficult for sailing yachts due to the prevailing easterly trade winds.
There are no marinas in Tobago yet, but there are plans that may materialize in the future. The main anchorages are on the Caribbean side, the north coast of the island and three on the south side, I will list the Caribbean side first as it is the most popular.
Milford Bay (known locally as Store Bay) 11 degrees 9.5 minutes north – 60 degrees 5.5 minutes west.
A very popular anchorage that can accommodate up to probably 60 yachts, there are mooring buoys but unfortunately these cannot be relied upon so it is advisable to anchor instead. The only marine facilities on the island are Store Bay Marine Services, in the shopping bay where you can get, repairs, fuel and water, an internet cafe with wi-fi and laundry services. In this area there are bars and restaurants with take away food. Grocery shopping is a short walk or taxi away. The places to visit are the very popular tourist facilities of Pigeon Point Beach with fantastic views over the turquoise sea to the Buccoo Reef, a glass bottom boat trip to the reef and the nylon pool that I would recommend and its excellent snorkeling.
Buccoo Bay
Located east of the reef there is a small shallow anchorage normally used by local fishermen, it has a small jetty to unload their catch. Mt Irvine Bay. Located north of Buccoo Bay, also known as Little Courland Bay, it is a good anchorage in about 20 feet of water, there are good beach facilities, a hotel and access to the main road.
Stone Haven Bay.
A not very popular anchorage with 6 meters of water, you must get into the north point which helps in a north swell. There are two hotels and a beach bar and probably the best restaurant on the island, The Sea Horse Inn.
Great Courland Bay
Located north of Mt Irvine Bay, the town of Plymouth is north of the bay and has a jetty, shops, and small bars and restaurants nearby. Anchor right around Courland Point, but watch out for the shallows running south of the point.
Running north of Plymouth there are a number of small bays to anchor, snorkel and swim during the day, Arnos Vale Bay, Anse Fromager, Culloden Bay, Washerwomen’s Bay, King Peter Bay, Gordan Bay and Celery Bay,
Castara Bay.
Now halfway across the island and set against a backdrop of the rainforest mountains, this is a very pretty bay with many facilities, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, and apartments in case you want a break in the Earth. At this anchorage you need to get into the north point and get closer as it is a deep anchorage.
Englishman’s Bay 11 degrees 17.5 minutes north – 60 degrees 40.5 minutes west
This is one of my favorite anchorages for its views and access to the rainforest. It is a very deep anchorage with around 14 meters of water, the east coast being a little shallower for anchoring. On the shore there is a restaurant on the beach and a bar with palm trees, bamboo, a river inlet and good bathing and snorkeling.
Parlatuvier Bay.
Another local fisherman serves with a small jetty and 13 feet of water. There is a bar and restaurant, a bit of a hike uphill on the main road, overlooking the bay for good pictures.
Bloody Bay.
This bay is fed by the Bloody River and nearby is quite shallow with rocks and drying areas, there are no beach facilities but it has access to the main road.
Man of War Bay (Charlotteville)
Port of Entry One of the largest and deepest bays on the island, smaller cruise ships sometimes use this bay. The mid-depth contour line runs at 50 meters and has restricted anchorages shown in the graphic, the best place to anchor is next to Pirates Bay to the east, but it will be in 15 meters of water.
The city of Charlotteville is a port of entry with customs and immigration facilities, shops, restaurants, and bars; It has a dingy jetty and pier that is a bit of luxury in Tobago. Again, the bottom of the rainforest at 500 meters makes it a popular favorite anchorage. From the boat you can fish very well here and I recommend that you visit this bay, this is a paradise, fabulous.
Brissant & Tyrrel’s Bays.
Having left Man of War Bay, we now go around the north of the island and sail between the mainland of Tobago and Saint Giles Island towards the Atlantic side of the island. As you head towards Brissant Bay you will see Goat Island and Little Tobago, there are five anchorages in this area, two to Little Tobago, two to Goat Island and one to the mainland with a jetty.
This is a bird watcher’s paradise, in fact Little Tobago’s other name is Bird of Paradise Island, Goat Island is famous because bond movie author Ian Fleming was held there for many years before his death. On the mainland there are hotels, shops and, not far away, one of the best seafood restaurants at Island Jemma’s Kitchen in Speyside, it is worth visiting for some fresh lobster!
Kings Bay.
Pointing south, this bay is a good refuge from a northern swell, some beach facilities, and access to the main road. A deep anchorage between 15 and 20 meters and is fed by a river.
Scarborough (port of entry)
This is the main port of entry in Tobago which has a passenger terminal for ocean ferries and cruise ships, customs and immigration and RoRo facilities. The anchorage is on the starboard side of the terminal upon entry and the entrance may be occupied. Scarborough is a typical capital city with everything it has to offer, shops, taxis, buses and local restaurants and bars. This is the place to stock up on available water and diesel, but you need to get permission to pass by the jetty!
Conclusion.
This is a fantastic place to visit for a boater and a great place to explore some of the best anchorages in the world with the most beautiful seabeds, very friendly and helpful locals who are great people to, as they say, “lime with” and enjoy. The day.
Disclaimer.
While this article has detailed information, it should not be used for any navigation purposes, it is only a guide. A warning in the letters indicates that anchorages along the north coast of Tobago should be avoided during the winter surf season from November to April. I hope this article has inspired you a bit about Tobago and its boating area and we look forward to welcoming you to this Paradise Island.
For more information on Sailing and Tobago, visit my website and my blog:
Thanks and excellent navigation Clive Peterson Author of “The complete guide to learning to navigate”