Scarborough, Tobago Fly Cruise Holiday 2026/2027
Fly from Manchester or London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic
Start at Store Bay
Before the reef. Before the open-sea sandbank and the pirate tombstone and the ancient forest. Before any of it - start at Store Bay.
A row of beach stalls on the southwest coast, run by the same families for generations, serves Tobago's most celebrated dish: crab and dumplings. Blue crabs, slow-cooked in a deeply spiced gravy, with hand-rolled flour dumplings. It is unlike anything else in the Caribbean, and it is where the island shows its hand first. The rest of Tobago - the oldest protected rainforest in the western hemisphere, a coral reef, an open-sea sandbank a mile offshore - follows from here. But Store Bay is where you understand what kind of island this is.
Five Things Tobago Does Better Than Anyone
Mouthwatering Crab and dumplings at Store Bay
Tobago's defining dish - blue crab, slow-cooked in spiced gravy, with hand-rolled flour dumplings - eaten on the beach at a row of market stalls that have been serving it for generations. There is nothing else like it in the Caribbean.
The Nylon Pool
A natural sandbank in the open ocean, a mile offshore in the Caribbean Sea. Waist-deep, warm, turquoise. Standing there with the horizon on every side is an experience with no comparison anywhere in the region.
Main Ridge Forest Reserve
The oldest protected forest in the western hemisphere, established in 1776 and still largely intact. The Argyle Waterfalls trail runs through it - a guided hike to a three-tiered waterfall with swimming pools below.
Buccoo Reef
One of the finest coral gardens in the Caribbean. Reached by glass-bottom boat from the southwest coast - snorkel above the reef before continuing offshore to the Nylon Pool.
The Mystery Tombstone
At Great Courland Bay, an inscription carved into stone that has never been decoded. Local tradition says it marks the location of buried pirate treasure. It has never been confirmed. It has never been convincingly disproved.
READY TO EXPLORE SCARBOROUGH, TOBAGO?
Eat at Store Bay first - crab and dumplings on the beach, a cold Carib in hand, no particular rush. Then take the glass-bottom boat out to Buccoo Reef and further still to the Nylon Pool, a mile offshore and waist-deep in open ocean. In the afternoon, Fort King George stands above Scarborough with its cannon still pointed seaward and its views across the Atlantic. Inland, the Main Ridge Forest has been standing since 1776. Tobago is not trying to compete with the louder islands. It knows exactly what it is.
FAQs - Scarborough, Tobago Cruise Port
Can I walk from the cruise terminal into Scarborough?
Yes - the town centre and harbour are accessible on foot from the pier, with taxis available for those wishing to explore further afield.
What is the Nylon Pool?
A natural sandbank in the open Caribbean Sea, about a mile offshore. The water is waist-deep and warm, with a turquoise colour and calm conditions. Reached by glass-bottom boat as part of the Buccoo Reef excursion.
Is Buccoo Reef suitable for non-swimmers?
Yes - the glass-bottom boat allows you to view the reef without entering the water. Snorkelling is also available for those who wish to swim above it.
Do I need a visa to visit Tobago?
No. Trinidad and Tobago is a Commonwealth country - UK travellers need a valid passport but no visa.
What currency is used in Tobago?
The Trinidad and Tobago dollar. US dollars and major credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas. Worth carrying some local cash for Store Bay market stalls.
Is Tobago suitable for older or less mobile travellers?
Store Bay, the beach and town areas are easily accessible. The Argyle Waterfalls trail involves a forest walk on uneven ground - closed-toe shoes and a reasonable walking pace are advised for those venturing inland.
Crab, Forest and Open Sea — From Our Blog
More from the Ambassador blog:
Why Cruise to Tobago with Ambassador?
The arrival sets the tone. Entering Scarborough harbour - Fort King George on the hill above the town, the Atlantic on one side, the Caribbean on the other - is the way Tobago was meant to be approached.
A smaller ship for a quieter island. Renaissance carries fewer guests than the industry norm - closer to the dock, more space on deck, and the right scale for an island that doesn't shout. Explore on-board leisure facilities and drinks packages for the days at sea.
Fly with Virgin Atlantic. Direct flights from Manchester and London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic - so the holiday begins before you board. We can also help with airport hotels and parking.
