myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Thanks Steve, Your photos (like always) in Rob's "Tobago photos in categories" Topic are great. Feb. is in the time frame my surfer nephew is considering going to Tobago to visit me. I have always heard Tobago had decent surfing but never actually witnessed any. I don't know if you or someone else can answer this. Can you rent surfboards in Tobago or do you have to bring one from home? Phil

Hi Phil

It is hit and miss.

Generally the surf gets up more regularly from around February into May ... the latter part of which is the turtle egg laying season ... apparently turtles are attracted to the crashing sound of the surf on the beaches.

But I have spent some 2 weeks and seen little or no surf and on other visits it is heavy surf for most of the 2 weeks.

The best place is Mount Irvine where there are facilities for surfers but I think this beach is quite dangerous for surfers, particularly at low tide.

If you step one beach to the west from Mount Irvine there is a generally isolated and quite lengthy beach called 'The Wall' ... if the surf is up this is by far the best looking place to go ... I have seen some pretty awesome rollers coming in on this one ... looks safer but there are no guards around to help get you out of any trouble.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Hi Phil

There used to be a watersports shop on Mt.Irvine beach that hired out kit, but they've closed.

At the moment, the only place I can think that might be worth a try is a highly recommended outfit - Radical Sports on Pigeon Point. This is owned and run by one the ex-directors/founders of World of Watersports, Rikky Knowles and his wife Kim. The offer parasailing and windsurfing. I don't know about surfboards, but they are the guys to ask.

Contact details are available on our Watersports article (menu: Out & About/Activities/Sailing & Watersports).

Thanks Paul and Steve,
Paul, I stay in Charlotteville and don't get down the Mt Irvine way very often. This next year I will make a point to explore those beaches in Feb. and March. I know what you mean about the hit or miss surf conditions. This last Jan. and Feb. we had probably the most over all calm conditions in C'ville that I can remember for the last 4 or 5 years. When you mention awesome rollers, I have seen some pretty wild ones on the north coast Trinidad. It was scary just looking at the way down to the beach. It was fun watching the guys surf.
Steve, I know the Pigeon Point shop you are talking about. Have gone by it many times when trying to catch up with Kester but never stopped in. I will also make a point to stop and check them out and say you suggested I do. Phil

Phil, the bay before Mt Irvine is called Grange Bay, and I have seen surfers at that beach when the conditions are right. Having said that, the best place for surfing unfortunately is not in Tobago, but at Toco, which is on the north-eastern end of Trinidad. This is the place for the local surfing fanatics.
Hope this helps,
Clyde