myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 10 February 2003

I thought I would share with readers our recent experience at Pigeon Point. We first came to Tobago 5 years ago and thought Pigeon Point was one of the loveliest beaches we had seen -yes it had a bit of commercialism but nothing like you''d get say in Antigua. Since then we have rethruned frequently and have seen the growth of commercialisation some of it very eco unfriendly. On Friday, we ventured back and were very disappointed. Firstly the price of entry has rsien by 50% - still not much in the big scheme of things - to $18 per person. Secondly there is a real obsession with security to the point of issuing yellow tags for each beachgoer and having groups of security man armed with walkie talkies roaming the beach trying to keep the natives away. Thridly we were pressured on a couple of ocassions by ""approved"" beach vendors one playing a steel drum who made it quite clear we wshoudl give him a tip and then to cap it all as we were leaving the beach a man did a rap imprsession for us and again demanded money and made it quite clear we could not leave without paying. So my advice is stay away - there are plenty of superb beaches that treat you as though you are a welcome guest.

One case is Pirates Bay. Everything Steve said it would be - the snorkelling is superb as is the setting and the sand - in all one of the loeliest I''ve been to - a larger version of Heavenly Bay Castara.

Finally, Steve, one omission from the restuarant list - The Pavilion - Villas on Stonehaven Bay (just over from the Grand Courland).

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 11 February 2003

Hi Paul

By the strangest of coincidences, I had a ‘situation’ with Club Pigeon Point, the owners of the peninsula, on Saturday, when I was refused admission.

I want a photograph of the Pigeon Point jetty taken from a specific angle. An English friend resident on the island had tried to take the photograph for me, but was thrown out after walking to the jetty along the public beach. I decided to do things ‘properly’ and pay the fee, so drove up to the main gates. I was immediately surrounded by three private security guards who demanded, none too politely, to know what I wanted. I explained that I simply wished to photograph the jetty at sunset and offered the $18 fee. They conferred with someone by walkie-talkie. I heard mention of “white visitor”. They then said that photography was not allowed. I explained that it was a promotional shot for myTobago.info and they used the gatehouse telephone to speak to management. I was told to ring and make an appointment with the General Manager, Mrs McKenna. I was refused permission to use the gatehouse phone to speak to Mrs McKenna.

The issue is fundamentally about beach access (although why it should affect photography is beyond me). Pigeon Point is owned by Trinidadian-based magnate Anthony Sabga's McAl group of companies, who are trying to impose total control over access to the peninsula and to specifically exclude local fishermen and sea swimmers who haven’t paid an entry fee. This is contrary to Tobago custom of beaches being freely accessible to everyone. Although statutes exist, the legal situation appears unclear.

I think it was a little insensitive of Blackjohn to post the comment about someone being killed. Without in any way wishing to trivialise that tragic incident, it was a totally isolated case. Tobago is still, I honestly believe, the safest island in the Caribbean. As beautiful as Pigeon Point is, it has gone downhill rapidly in recent years.

Personally, I never visit the peninsula. It is scruffy, over-commercialised and seems to attract the very worst beach bums and most aggressive beach vendors, of which Tobago thankfully still has very few. My advice to all readers would be to avoid Pigeon Point.

Thanks for the mention of The Pavillion, Paul. I shall determine details and add this to the Restaurant section. How about a review of how you enjoyed it?

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 11 February 2003

one tourist was shot for arguing with the security guards at pigeon point. bad news and you best stay clear.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 11 February 2003

Dear Blackjohn this sad incident at Pigeon Point happened around Easter time about three years ago and it was a local person, not a tourist that was shot by a security guard.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 11 February 2003

A short addendum to my earlier post. I decided to telephone Mrs McKenna and arrange a photo shoot. She was polite, but her manner throughout the call was arrogant, bordering on confrontational. She kept stressing that Club Pigeon Point is private property and that taking photographs including any of the Club’s private land or buildings is only allowed on payment of an agreed fee, but refused to quote a fee. She said that I could walk up the beach to take the photograph, but stressed that it was impossible to take a photograph of the beach at Pigeon Point without including any private property. She intimated trouble, saying that if my camera lens was even partially facing the shore “the guards would only be doing their job”. She refused to say how much the licence fee would be, insisting that this could only be discussed in a ‘proper’ meeting in her administrative office. To be frank, I am totally disgusted by the entire matter.

These people need an immediate attitude transplant.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 12 February 2003

Hi Steve, I totally concur with your remarks ref the posting regarding the shooting which is why although I was aware of it I did not put anything in my posting about it. In my experience these events take on a life of their own and become a form of chinese whispers. While the incident is very regretable it was as you suggested and Tanja has posted a very isolated incident on what is a very safe Island. I will publish a review of the Pavilion in due course - to sum it up, the surroundings and view are superb, the food / drink costs twice as much as Amadeus but when we ate there last night we were the only guests. By far and away the most popular place is Pizza Boys who have opened a new outlet at Pleasant Prospect. Are you still departing Saturday?

We've just got back from Tobago and also have tales of woe from Pigeon point. Suffice it to say that I met the unpleasant Ms McKenna who was very rude about me not wearing my armband (I had paid my TT18 but was only there to load the dive boat on the pier).

It is still a very pretty beach and not all the guards have aspirations to the Gestapo, so I wouldn’t say don’t go there. The locals are as unhappy about the situation as are visitors but, until the government makes up its mind as to what will be done with regard to the public beach and state owned pier, Saba and his cronies have a free hand.

Hi Manfred

Thanks for your various reports today.

I totally agree that there are issues to be sorted by the T&T Government. However, this is not something that should concern or affect visitors.

My issue with Club Pigeon Point is much more fundamental. Whatever the issues between them and the Government or local fishermen, the fact is that treating visitors with contempt is beyond the pall.

Fine, you have rules. You ask people to pay an entrance fee and wear silly armbands. OK – they own the land so have that right. Anybody who doesn’t like it can stay away. However, why does the charming Ms McKenna need to be so aggressive and confrontational? She seems to spend her life patrolling the property (including the public beach) looking for a fight. Rudeness and lack of courtesy are inexcusable. She would achieve far more with a pleasant smile and a friendly word.

I’ve had more reports about ‘licensed’ vendors on Pigeon Point being aggressive towards visitors. It’s almost as if McKenna’s manner has rubbed off onto them and having paid their license fee, they feel it is their duty and right to intimidate visitors into buying their goods or services.

Personally I will not visit Pigeon Point and would recommend others to stay away. Not just because of the beach access issues – but simply because the management of Club Pigeon Point are rude and arrogant people with total contempt for their patrons.

Well I suppose to some extent I can appreciate the concern that anyone who has known this area for some years might have over the 'commercialisation' of Pigeon Point. The appearance of burger bars etc on what must have once been an idealic spot must be disturbing to say the least. However, having just returned from a very relaxing & enjoyable holiday in Tobago I have to say that having visited Pigeon Point my wife and I found it a lovely spot. Although there was a security guard at the entrance I can't say that we noticed any signs of gun toting militia on the beach as some posts to this forum suggest. I would also point out that I had rather anticipated that, with it being a segregated, privately operated concern that the price of drinks, food, sun beds etc might be a bit extortionate. I'm pleased to report otherwise - a beer was 7TT, a sunbed 10TT for the day and fried bakes (yummy) from 15 to 20TT depending on the filling - all probably the same (or cheaper than) most other places on the island that we visited. The staff in general seemed very pleasant - they seemed to get nicer the more beers I had !!!! As for the beach vendors, providing you were pleasant to them and gave them a firm but polite 'no thankyou' they didn't bother me too much.
The beach itself is superb - and the sea very calm and inviting even for occasional swimmers such as myself.
In short don't be put off by some of the reports - go and make your own impressions - I'm pretty sure most people will enjoy it,

Malc C