Getting to Town

10 mi / 16.1 km

Distance to Town

Best Time to Visit

Peak months for cruising into Scarborough are December through April, during the dry season with lower humidity and calmer seas. These months offer the best beach weather and clearer conditions for snorkeling and outdoor excursions.

Hottest and most humid conditions occur June–October, with brief but intense tropical showers.

Atlantic hurricane season runs June–November; Tobago is south of the main hurricane belt but can still see heavy rain, rougher seas, and occasional storm impacts.

Sun is strong year-round; heat and UV exposure can be intense midday, especially on open-deck and beach days.

Top Shore Experiences

✓Beach day at Pigeon Point or Store Bay with calm swimming areas, facilities, and food stalls suitable for kids.
✓Glass-bottom boat tour over Buccoo Reef so children can see coral and tropical fish without strong swimming skills.
✓Easy visit to Fort King George for open spaces to explore, cannons, and short, manageable walks.
✓Guided island highlights tour by minivan, combining scenic viewpoints, short photo stops, and light commentary.
✓Visit to Argyle Waterfall with a local guide, focusing on the lower pools and gentler paths for younger or older family members.

Local Food & Drink

Sample local specialties such as bake and shark, crab and dumplings, curried goat, pelau (one-pot rice dish), and rotis filled with curried meats or vegetables.
Try fresh seafood at simple beachside joints near Store Bay or along the Scarborough waterfront.
Look for local snacks like pholourie (fried split-pea dough balls), doubles (more common on Trinidad but sometimes found), and corn soup from street vendors.
Enjoy Caribbean rums, local beers, and rum punch at beach bars, keeping alcohol intake moderate in the heat.
Seek out homemade ice creams or fruit juices made from local tropical fruits such as soursop, passion fruit, and mango.

Shopping Tips

Browse the Scarborough Esplanade and craft market for hand-made jewelry, wood carvings, steelpan-themed souvenirs, and local art.
Look for locally produced cocoa, pepper sauces, spice mixes, and small-batch rum or liqueurs as edible souvenirs.
Textiles, batik, and beachwear are commonly sold at Pigeon Point and other tourist beaches, though prices may be higher than in town.
US dollars are often accepted in tourist shops and markets, but change is typically given in TTD and village shops may only take cash.
Duty-free items and basic gifts may be available inside or near the cruise terminal for last-minute purchases.

Agent insights

Advise clients that Scarborough is a low-key, authentic Caribbean port where planning a structured tour or pre-arranged taxi is the best way to reach top beaches and waterfalls efficiently. Emphasize bringing cash in TTD or small USD bills, strong sun protection, and realistic expectations of a more relaxed, less commercialized experience than larger Caribbean hubs.