Location & General Information
Tobago (and Trinidad) are the southernmost islands of the Caribbean archipelago, and are geologically an extension of the South American continent. Tobago measures only 26 miles by 76 miles. It enjoys a tropical climate with average maximum temperature of 80°F, and cooling north east trade winds. The dry season is from January to May and the wet season from June to Dec.

The official language is English & currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TT$).

Marine Life
The waters of the great Orinoco river flood into the Atlantic not far to the south of Trinidad. They provide unusually nutrient-rich waters around Tobago, supporting a diversity of marine life unusual even for the prolific Caribbean. One major reef - Buccoo is easily accessible to non-swimmers, while for scuba divers there are outstanding reef formations along the west and northeast coasts of Tobago. All the known hard corals and most of the soft ones can be found around Tobago, plus hundreds of different reef fish, giant manta rays included. Turtles - the endangered leatherback, the green loggerhead and the hawksbill all nest on beaches along Tobago's west coast.

Birds
Trinidad and Tobago ranks among the top ten countries of the world in terms of the number of species per square mile. There are 433 recorded species, of which around 200 are known in Tobago. Some are annual visitors, escaping the northern or southern winter. Many others are permanent residents, including a long list of South American species not found elsewhere in the Caribbean. Few other places in the world support such a wide range of species in such a small area.

Flora
The vivid purple and yellow poui trees and the spectacular orange immortelles that splash colour so vividly along the hillsides are only the beginning. There are more orchid species than you can count, and in the rich, humid air of Tobago tropical trees and flowers abound. The island is a riot of palm, almond, banyan, breadfruit, flamboyant, cassia, African tulip, silk cotton, matchwood and teak, more and pout; amaryllis lilies and yellow allamanda, hibiscus and Turk's cap, chaconia and bougainvillea, giant anthuriums, and heliconias.

Why so many riches?
Long ago Tobago was joined to the South American mainland. That ancient continental link has left mainland as well as island life forms crowded into a small geographical area. Mountainous rain forests, mangrove swamps and rivers, seashore and tropical Savannahs all lie close to each other. The island is a major crossing point on the migration paths of birds moving both north and south. All this makes for unique diversity.