Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2017 (#28)

evergreen
Why are eco escapes and adventures one of the main reasons that people
come to Tobago? Because of the incredible diversity per square
mile that you’ll find. Like Trinidad, Tobago was once joined to the South
American mainland, inheriting a continental legacy of flora, fauna, and
topography that make both islands distinct from their Caribbean neighbours. As a
result, Tobago has won four World Travel Awards — two for being the world’s leading
eco-tourism destination.
The lay of the land (and sea)
Tobago’s southwest is flat, undulating, and coral-based, with
limestone cliffs and white-sand beaches. The northeast features
coral-crusted rock formations, while the rainforest reserve
of the mountainous Main Ridge is full of waterfalls, rivers, and
streams. Rising to 876m (1,890ft), it encompasses the oldest
protected rainforest in the western hemisphere. There’s also
swampland and mangrove, and a variety of reefs offshore.
In these rich ecosystems,
you’ll find:
n Birds: 200+ recorded species
n Butterflies: 130+ species
(including the impressive
blue emperor)
n Coral: 300+ species
(including the largest
live brain coral — about
3m/10ft by 5m/16ft,
recorded off Speyside)
n Fish: 80+ species of tropical
reef fish
n Mammals: 12 kinds of
mammals, including 17 bat
species
n Reptiles & amphibians:
5 marine turtle species (including
the endangered giant
leatherback); 25 snake
species (none of them
poisonous); 14 frog species;
and 6 lizard species.
stephen broadbridge
Red-crowned woodpecker
118 discovertnt.com