Tobago At A Glance

For more on Tobago, see the special Tempting Tobago promotion.

Tobago is one of those islands that crop up in conversations about places reminiscent of the West Indies decades ago. Just don't confuse it with Trinidad, the sophisticated, high-energy other half of this twin-island nation deep in the southern Caribbean.

Tobago, in fact, is where Trinidadians go for holidays – a slow-paced, tranquil island of natural wonders. The lush tropical rain forests (and savannahs and wetlands) have an amazingly diverse plant and animal life (including more than 600 butterfly species), thanks to T&T's proximity to South America. Giant leatherbacks nest at Stonehaven and Courland beaches, and the skies are filled with birds throughout the year. Offshore, the pristine, coral-rich reefs of a new marine park near Speyside are no less bountiful – and have turned Tobago into the leading dive destination of the southeastern Caribbean.

Development has been slow to come to Tobago (although golfers will find a new Jack Nicklaus-designed course), but for now the island is still an island of goat races, hidden beaches, and endless natural charms.