Beaches Blanchisseuse Bay
Quinam Beach
Blanchisseuse Bay is one of Blanchisseuse village’s three main beaches. The bay is located on the north coast, approximately 18 km east of Maracas Bay. Access is through the North Coast Road or the scenic Arima-Blanchisseuse Road. The beach is 1.4 km long, with light-brown and medium-grained sand. It is characterised by plunging breakers and strong rip currents that can make swimming quite dangerous. Swimming at the shallow mouth of the Marianne River is safer, while kayaking is also done up the river. Caution is recommended for both activities.
Probably the most popular south coast beach, Quinam is approximately 1.6 kilometres long, with waters good for swimming, although there are moderate currents along the beach. The sand is fine and brown, although it disappears during high tide. A favourite for weekend family outings, Quinam offers an opportunity to explore trails into the woods. A lifeguard station is posted at this site and a large car park directly faces the beach. A recreational park 150 metres before the beach provides an interpretative centre, huts, tables, benches and barbecue pits. Camping and fishing are popular.
Macqueripe Follow the length of the Tucker Valley Road (off the main road in Chaguaramas) and encounter one of most unspoiled pebbled beaches in Trinidad. Uncontaminated by river activity, the water in this small bay is usually clear and calm, with the occasional chance of rough seas during November to April. Upon entering the water, you’ll find that the beach has a downward slope with the gradient increasing to make it surprisingly shallow further out. Facilities include a paved car park, picnic tables, benches, a children’s play area, changing rooms and toilet facilities.
Scotland Bay On the north-western tip of Trinidad in the Chaguaramas peninsula rests Scotland Bay. Primarily accessible only by boat, the U-shaped bay is very sheltered and an excellent location for boaters and campers, for swimming and snorkeling. Being a rain shadow area, the water is clear and calm for the majority of the year. Cliffs of rich vegetation lead to sand and shingle beaches, introducing one of the many gorgeous “down the islands” settings. Scotland Bay draws not only kayakers and snorkelers but a vast number of sailboats and cruisers, which take full opportunity to moor inside this haven.
Vessigny Beach Vessigny Beach trims the edge of Vessigny village in south Trinidad, just three kilometres past Trinidad’s famous La Brea Pitch Lake. The water is generally cleaner during the dry season, with calm seas and low waves. White sand has been brought in to enhance this beach’s natural dark brown sand. In addition to a car park and camp grounds, there are changing rooms, picnic tables and a snack bar open on weekends and during school holidays. Lifeguards stationed at the beach generally work from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This is a very popular beach and can be crowded on public holidays with beach parties and bus excursions.
Granville Beach One of best camping locations in southern Trinidad, this moderately sloping beach has low to moderate energy waves that are approximately 15 centimetres in height. The water is usually clear, except after periods of heavy rainfall, with a half mile of fine brown sand to satisfy campers and swimmers alike. Although quite popular, this is one of the smaller Trinidad beaches, where there are no lifeguards. A paved car park is provided for visitor convenience, along with toilet facilities and a private beach facility. There are a few beach houses along the northern section of the beach, which are also available for rental.
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Ins & Outs of Trinidad and Tobago
Salybia Off the Toco Main Road on the north-east coast, the two indentations of Salybia Bay with its blue-green water and a shore line of coconut and almond trees, guarantees an attractive sight. An expanse of reef on the eastern section of this windswept beach filters the water, making it a calm, clean swimming area at low tide and a surfers’ paradise at high tide. The western section of the beach does not have a reef and is deeper, with weak easterly currents. There is plenty of shade along the shore and although snack vendors abound in the vicinity, there are no facilities. Salybia is a popular camping location, with a beach resort located nearby.
Sans Souci Bay Sans Souci, together with Toco and Salybia Bays, is the surfers’ paradise in Trinidad. The best surfing waves break during the months of November to April. Competitions are organised by the Surfing Association of T&T and locals welcome visiting surfers. Sans Souci is approximately 300 metres long, with mediumgrained, dark grey sand. The water is clearer during the months of May to September, with more ideal swimming conditions during this time. Located along the Paria Main Road, this bay is some 7 km from the Toco Junction along the rugged north coastline and mountainous landscape.
Grande Riviere Bay Grande Riviere has become internationally known as an important nesting ground for the leatherback turtle (Dermchelys coriacea). The turtle’s nesting season lasts from March to August. There are several hotels nearby. For more on turtle watching see page 76. The beach is approximately 1.2 km long, with coarse yellowish sand and usually clear water. Swimming is safest from May to October; waves are much rougher at other times. The river, a beautiful feature of the area, enters on to the eastern side of the beach.
Mayaro Many Trinidadians own holiday homes along the CocosManzanilla-Mayaro stretch on the east coast of Trinidad. This beach strip is characterised by swaying coconut trees and Easter and the July-August vacation are popular times for visiting. “Chip chip” (Donax striatus), a bivalve, is commonly found in the sand and chip chip cocktail is served by locals. June to August are the best times for swimming at Mayaro, but surging breakers, tidal fluctuations and rip currents make swimming generally dangerous. The sand is fine-grained and light-brown in colour.