Major popular sports
Cricket. As in all the other islands of the English-speaking Caribbean, and more generally in most of the Commonwealth area, cricket is Trinidad & Tobago's favorite sport and the number one sporting activity in order of importance. The Queen's Park Oval stadium in Port of Spain is the island's premier venue for major matches.
Athletics. Athletics is a great sporting tradition in Trinidad & Tobago. The quality of Trinidadian sprinters has been recognized on the international scene since 1964, when the young Republic won 4 medals in the discipline at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Since then, the country has won 19 Olympic medals (including 2 gold), thanks in particular to the 4 medals won by the legendary Ato Boldon in 1996 and 2000.
Soccer. As on many Caribbean islands, soccer has a strong following in Trinidad & Tobago, and the population went wild for its Soca Warriors, the nickname of the national team, during its only qualification for a World Cup in 2006.
Tobago, a diving destination
In Tobago, scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular activities. A variety of sites, diverse flora and fauna, pelagic species such as the whale shark, tarpon and the famous manta ray, attracted by the rich nutrients coming from the Orinoco and not usually seen at such shallow depths, Tobago's waters offer a spectacular underwater display of great beauty. However, the diving is not always the easiest. Most of the dives take place in rough seas, requiring a good level of skill and mastery of the particular technique of diving in currents. In this respect, the choice of a good diving center is essential. Here are the most popular spots around the island.
Speyside, Goat Island and Little Tobago. For the community of divers who come to Tobago, this is where the underwater Mecca is located, in the extreme north of the island. This is where, from March to July, you can see the famous Atlantic manta ray. On average, more than a dozen of these rays are counted on the site each year. In 70% of cases, they appear during a dive at Little Tobago. Accustomed to the presence of humans, they often approach divers and allow themselves to be stroked.
Man o' War Bay. This bay is located in Charlotteville Cove. Diving here is generally on Bobby's and Pirates' reefs. Over 100 species of fish can be found here.
Diver's Dream - Crown Point. Located 5 km southwest of the island, in the Columbus Passage, this spot consists of a plateau whose depth varies between 15 and 30 m. It's not unusual to come across turtles, dolphins, angelfish, sleeper sharks and the occasional tiger shark.
Mount Irvine Bay. Located north of Buccoo, this bay features the wreck of an old ferry - the Maverick - deliberately sunk in 1997 to form an artificial reef, which lies on the sand at a depth of 30 m. But also, at a depth of around ten meters, a rocky barrier riddled with cracks and crevices providing an ideal refuge for moray eels, lobsters and octopuses.
Saint Gilles Island. This islet is located at the extreme north of the island, about 20 to 30 minutes by boat from Speyside or Charlotteville. At the confluence of the Caribbean and Atlantic seas, the fauna is highly diverse and well endowed with pelagic species. Eagle rays abound, as do mantas, tarpons and barracudas. The spot's major attraction is the "Tower of London Bridge", a rocky arch whose bases lie at a depth of over 20 m.
In Tobago, between water sports and golf greens
Water sports and deep-sea fishing. Aside from exploring the seabed, you can also enjoy Tobago's superb coastal scenery and coves on a catamaran (rented with a skipper for the day), glass-bottom boat, paddle or jet ski. You can also enjoy water skiing or wakeboarding.
As for big-game fishing, there's plenty to enjoy in Tobago's waters: wahoo, tuna, dolphin-fish, grouper, tarpon, barracuda, marlin, swordfish... There's no shortage of big fish!
Golf. Fans of small white balls will also be delighted, as Tobago has a number of golf courses, including the Tobago Plantations Golf Club, set in a wooded area dotted with mangroves on the south-west coast (Leeward Coast).
In Trinidad, nature lives!
Trinidad is a dream paradise for trekking enthusiasts (including a 38 km trek along the northern coastline between Blanchisseuse and Matelot), geologists, birdwatchers and, more generally, anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a richly preserved natural environment. There are many ways to do this, from simple hikes to kayaking around the island's various marshes, or even exploring underground the various cave and cavity systems that dot the island's largely limestone subsoil.
Kayaking. Kayaking is a popular way to explore the island's marshes, such as Oropuche Lagoon. You don't need to be an experienced kayaker to explore the gentle, flat waters of these marshes.
Big-game fishing. More than the Gulf of Paria, the north coast of the island is the preferred spot for big-game fishing in Trinidad. The waters here are rich in fish and, until now, have been relatively untouched. Enthusiasts often own their own private boats, which may explain why there are so few agencies specializing in big-game fishing tourism. However, some owners are willing to rent out their boats, including crew.
Get out your binoculars!
For birdwatchers, Trinidad & Tobago are two small paradises with some of the highest bird densities and diversity in the world. It would be a serious mistake to visit either island without observing them in their natural habitat. Early on, the Anglo-Saxon taste for naturalism led to the development of a tourist offer dedicated to nature observation. Not to be missed!
