It appeared all too predictable as I equipped for my travels to the Caribbean.

Vibrant turquoise water to swim in, white sandy seashores to walk alongside and fruity cocktails to accompany my journey was what initially got here to thoughts.

However as I stepped foot in Trinidad and Tobago, the predictable ideas I had of the islands shortly modified.

Whereas the surrounding ocean took on many shades of turquoise and hues of blue and the seashores positively resembled paradise, Trinidad and Tobago’s eco-system got here to the forefront of my travels.

Trinidad and Tobago, positioned seven miles from the coast of Venezuela, boasts some of the richest pure communities of vegetation and animals in all of the Caribbean. Whereas most of the nation’s ecology comes from South America, which makes the islands very distinctive, Trinidad and Tobago aren’t as endemic as the relaxation of the Caribbean islands. Since Trinidad and Tobago share many of the identical flora and fauna as South America’s mainland, it creates a really wealthy eco-systems and supplies some of the greatest eco-tourism adventures. 

Plant Life

With each rainforests and dry forests masking Trinidad and Tobago, there are various totally different plant communities, which create very pure vegetation in dominant timber. Probably the most visited forest to discover the classification of flora is the Predominant Ridge Rainforest positioned in Tobago. It’s the oldest protected reserve based in 1765 by the French and managed below the path of the Tobago Home Meeting. Whereas the nation protects the primarily Evergreen timber from destructions, which develop ramped in the Predominant Ridge Rainforest, the reserve is now a watershed that gives 99.9 p.c of all the water utilized in Tobago. The Predominant Ridge Rainforest is dwelling to varied endemic species of flora and fauna and a protected leisure spot by UNESCO—a should see when visiting Tobago.

Animal Life

From crab-eating raccoons to nine-banded armadillos and neo-tropical otters, Trinidad and Tobago have a giant neighborhood of mammals residing in forests and swamps all alongside the island. Some of the 108 sorts of mammals sound weird, however a tour by Caroni Swamp positioned on the west coast of Trinidad, simply south of Port of Spain, would possibly carry you face-to-face with one of these creatures. The Predominant Ridge Rainforest in Tobago can also be a place to hunt out wild boars and agouti (just like, however bigger than a guinea pig). Monkeys may also be noticed in forests alongside the sides of roads all through Trinidad so cease alongside your travels and look in the timber. 

There are greater than 450 species of birds recorded and seen in Trinidad and Tobago. Whereas most are typical birds from South America, Trinidad and Tobago are generally known as one of the few locations in the world to have such a giant chook sighting in such a small space—Tobago has greater than 200 species of birds on a 116 sq. miles of land. Many of the birds are very distinctive and uncommon to the islands and the greatest place to look at birds, moreover the Predominant Ridge Rainforest, is at Asa Wright Nature Heart. Positioned in the Arima Valley of the Northern Mountain Vary in Trinidad, this nature resort is a world-renowned resort and birding web site in the Caribbean. From varied hummingbirds to honeycreepers, there have been greater than 150 species noticed in the forests at Asa Wright Nature Heart. Caroni Swamp is one other nice placefor birding. Right here you’ll get take a look at the Scarlet Ibis, Trinidad’s nationwide chook, flocking to a sand flat round sundown and feasting on their meals of selection—shrimp. They’re additionally joined by gulls and many different birds inside the Caroni Chook Santuary.

Reptiles and amphibians may be seen throughout Trinidad and Tobago. From shiny inexperienced iguanas climbing timber to lizards camouflaged in the bush, there are greater than 55 reptiles and 25 amphibians ranging in measurement and inside differing habitats. Snakes are additionally a preferred sighting together with turtles and the attainable caiman, which scare folks half to dying. Caroni Swamp is a well-liked vacation spot to see giant boas coiled in timber or frogs hopping alongside the path of your tour. You would possibly even get a peak of some of the reptiles and amphibians residing in Trinidad and Tobago in forests similar to Predominant Ridge Rainforest.

There are a number of invertebrates similar to the leaf cutter ant, which is definitely noticed on the islands consuming their method by leaves of vegetation. However Trinidad and Tobago is dwelling greater than 620 species of butterflies. Positioned in additional tropical dry forests similar to Little Tobago, an island off the coast of Tobago, the shiny blue Emperor Butterfly may be noticed there. The Royal Botanical Backyard in the outskirts of Port of Spain can also be an space the place you will notice many of the islands’ butterfly species flying alone or in swarms above your head.

Sea Life

The islands are identified to be a leisure vacation spot for sport fishing. Some of the fish that could be caught off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago embrace big grouper, purple snapper, kingfish and carite together with marlin, dolphin-fish and barracuda. Many of these fish are served recent in native eating places and cooked in lots of natives’ properties for households to feast on. There are additionally many fishing tournaments all through the 12 months. Diving amongst the fish can also be a very talked-about exercise and may be carried out in lots of elements of the nation, however Speyside, positioned in northern-eastern Tobago, is the hottest and accessilbe spot. From Speyside, you’ll leap on a ship and taken to Little Tobago, an island off its coast, to dive amongst the most colourful of fish.

Marine turtles are additionally swimming in the oceans surrounding Trinidad and Tobago. There are three sorts—big leatherback, hawksbill and inexperienced—native to the islands. Whereas swimming with the marine turtles is a well-liked exercise when visiting Trinidad and Tobago, there may be additionally the alternative to look at the nesting. Should you occur to be visiting (or wish to plan a visit) anytime between March and August is the mammals’ mating season. There are excursions to enroll in or sustainable journeys to participate in, which can provide you with the alternative to really watch the nesting course of of the feminine big leatherback turtles and probably participate in the conservation of these mammals.

At Matura Sea Turtle Nesting Web site, an vital nesting seaside positioned in the small city of Matura on the north-eastern coast of Trinidad, is the place most of the big leatherback nesting takes place every year—pure historical past of Trinidad and Tobago at its best.

Trinidad and Tobago’s eco-system is full of some of the richest pure communities to set it other than the relaxation of the Caribbean.

To dive in and turn out to be one with nature is an understatement when visiting these islands—Trinidad and Tobago present actions or excursions to swimsuit the adventurer in all of us.

Journey tip shared for Journey Dudes by Ashley

Disclaimer: Because of the Go Trinidad and Tobago for inviting Journey Dudes to Trinidad and Tobago. The images, phrases and opinions stay our personal.