Best time to visit Tobago
You may notice that people like to carry umbrellas with them in Tobago. Don't panic; Tobagonians use them to shelter from the sun as much as they do from the rain.![]()
You may also notice how huge the umbrellas are – this is because sun and rain are dished out in equally fierce, tropical quantities. Temperatures linger in the high 20s and low 30s year round, and when it does fall, the “liquid sunshine” and breezes that may accompany it are usually a welcome break from the intense heat and humidity.
The rainy season is from June-November; downpours arrive – quite literally – out of the blue, but clear up just as fast. This is a great time for photography as the landscapes are emerald-lush with a rainbow of tropical flowers. Sea turtles also nest and hatch from March-August. Tobago’s festivals occur year-round – so you’ll be sure to catch some steel pan, limbo and calypso as you dance your way around this tiny isle.
The rainy season is from June-November; downpours arrive – quite literally – out of the blue, but clear up just as fast. This is a great time for photography as the landscapes are emerald-lush with a rainbow of tropical flowers. Sea turtles also nest and hatch from March-August. Tobago’s festivals occur year-round – so you’ll be sure to catch some steel pan, limbo and calypso as you dance your way around this tiny isle.
When to visit Tobago & when not to
Tobago Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
22
28
42
FEB
22
28
40
MAR
22
28
17
APR
23
29
29
MAY
24
29
56
JUN
24
29
130
JUL
23
29
197
AUG
24
29
173
SEP
24
29
129
OCT
24
29
131
NOV
23
29
166
DEC
22
28
99
Our top trip
Trinidad & Tobago nature holiday
The best of Trinidad & Tobago's widlife and natural scenery
From
£3790 to £4220
15 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
Call us until 6pm
Calling from outside the UK
Responsible Travel recommends
Gillian Howe, from our supplier Geodyssey, shares her best time to visit Tobago:
"The ‘best’ time to visit Tobago is during our winter. It’s generally dry and sunny on Tobago from around the beginning of December until May. It’s a lovely island and if you don’t need constant sunshine every day, then other times of year may suit you well; the island is quieter, things are even more relaxed, and hotel prices are a little lower."
"The ‘best’ time to visit Tobago is during our winter. It’s generally dry and sunny on Tobago from around the beginning of December until May. It’s a lovely island and if you don’t need constant sunshine every day, then other times of year may suit you well; the island is quieter, things are even more relaxed, and hotel prices are a little lower."
Newton George, one of the most experienced birding guides on Tobago, shares his advice on the best time to visit Tobago if you want to see some of the island’s incredible birdlife: “The best time of year for birders is from November to April. Most nesting begins in January but they start getting together in November. The red-billed tropicbird can also be seen on Little Tobago from November to March; that’s when they are nesting – and they can’t move from their nests. Some species nest early – especially hummingbirds. Outside of this time, from August to September, thousands of waders come in from North America.”
Festivals & events in Tobago
Tobago Carnival!
Trinidad’s carnival may cause all the fanfare – but don’t write off its Tobagonian cousin. In typical Tobago style it is a much more chilled, community based affair, with a focus on folk and theatrical events.
Swot up on the local lingo so that you can understand more about the celebrations. The parade is made up of bands: large groups of masqueraded performers, giving them the name mas bands. These have wild, themed costumes and floats. The party starts early, with the J’Ouvert (from the French ‘jour ouvert’ – day open) opening the ceremony at 4am on Monday with a thundering of drums and energetic dancing. Even if you’re not taking part – don’t plan on getting a lie-in! Tobago Carnival, as the locals will tell you, is truly bacchanal.
Tobago Carnival takes place in Scarborough in February or early March, and while the crowds are small compared to those in Trinidad, the streets will still be packed – early arrival is recommended for a good viewing spot.
Swot up on the local lingo so that you can understand more about the celebrations. The parade is made up of bands: large groups of masqueraded performers, giving them the name mas bands. These have wild, themed costumes and floats. The party starts early, with the J’Ouvert (from the French ‘jour ouvert’ – day open) opening the ceremony at 4am on Monday with a thundering of drums and energetic dancing. Even if you’re not taking part – don’t plan on getting a lie-in! Tobago Carnival, as the locals will tell you, is truly bacchanal.
Tobago Carnival takes place in Scarborough in February or early March, and while the crowds are small compared to those in Trinidad, the streets will still be packed – early arrival is recommended for a good viewing spot.
The Boeing 777-200 operates to both destinations offering 3 classes of travel to Tobago and 4 classes to Port of Spain. Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller are available to both destinations with First class available to Port of Spain.
Responsible Travel would like to thank Visit Tobago for their sponsorship of this guide.
More Tobago articles
As our Tobago travel guide reveals, this is the Caribbean as it once was, with a focus on nature, culture and relaxation, and a model for the future.
Our interactive map shows you where to go in Tobago - though as the island is so compact, you won't have to make too many tough choices.
Travelling in Tobago with kids is an absolute delight, with friendly guesthouses and a wide range of fun family-friendly activities.
Tobago's coastline may not be huge, but travelling along it is like working your way through an encyclopaedia of beaches.
Bird watching in Trinidad & Tobago is a treat with superb guides taking you to the rainforests & offshore islands to find upwards some 220 species.
As you would expect form an island that has protected its forest since 1776, nature and wildlife in Tobago is highly treasured.
Culture and music in Tobago takes centre stage - think calypso, steelpan and limbo - or limin' - simply chilling out.
The coastline may be gorgeous, but read on to discover that the true heart of this island lies well beyond Tobago's beaches.
Our Tobago Top Ten is a roundup of our favourite things to see and do on the island - though it was difficult to narrow it down to just ten!
Watersports in Tobago can be as active or relaxing as you wish, whether on a glass bottomed boat or getting closer to marine life by scuba diving.
Tobago may be in the Caribbean but there is much to do beyond the beaches, from walking trails to mountain biking and yoga retreats.
There's a good chance your holiday will coincide with one of the many festivals and events in Tobago.
The food in Tobago is a mouthwatering medley of Caribbean, Latin American and African ingredients and recipes.
Tobago's history and heritage is everywhere, with forts, cannon and monuments memorialising battles that played out on this island over centuries.
Clean, green and serene, Tobago benefits from respectful tourism - conservation and social projects in Tobago help keep paradise, paradise.
Our guide to Tobago accommodation reveals a world detached from the traditional Caribbean concept of gated off luxury and all inclusive resorts.
We visited Tobago to meet hotel and guesthouse owners, and sea turtle conservationists to ask them for their top Tobago travel advice.
What is the best way to travel to Tobago? It all depends on where you’re coming from. We explain more in our guide.
The Tobago Tourism Board share their thoughts on responsible tourism in Tobago and how it creates a unique experience for travellers.
