The path leads down over the cliffs. In 2010 the tourism agency called it "a bit of a scramble", more climbing than walking. At the bottom: a small tide pool, the surf beyond. Never go to Back Bay alone: the beach is remote, with no lifeguards and no facilities. On that every source agrees.
- Access
- cliff path
- Facilities
- none
- Lifeguards
- none
- SOS Tobago
- index beach
On the location they do not. A beach list on discovertnt places Back Bay "near Plymouth", while a second discovertnt article, Rueben Clement's beach picks, puts it between Mount Irvine and Stonehaven. The turtle conservationists of SOS Tobago speak of "Mt. Irvine Back Bay". OpenStreetMap has no beach of that name. Ask in Mount Irvine for the path.
Bodysurfers and surfers come for the waves, the tourism agency wrote in 2010. Rueben Clement calls the swimming good. But Back Bay matters more to leatherback turtles: SOS Tobago lists it, alongside Turtle Beach and Grafton, as one of three index beaches where the group counts nests, season after season from March to September.
At a glance
- Access
- On foot only, via a path over the cliffs. Sources disagree on the location: near Mount Irvine or near Plymouth.
- Swimming
- Waves for bodysurfers, good swimming according to discovertnt, small tide pool. No lifeguards, go only in a group.
- Snorkelling
- Ask locally whether it is worth it in calm seas.
- Facilities
- None. Bring water and everything else you need.
Our tipWear sturdy shoes, the climb down the cliffs is no beach stroll. And bring water, there is nothing to buy at the bottom.
Back Bay: frequently asked questions
Where is Back Bay in Tobago?
Sources place Back Bay differently: SOS Tobago speaks of Mt. Irvine Back Bay, a beach list on discovertnt puts it near Plymouth, and another discovertnt article places it between Mount Irvine and Stonehaven. Ask in Mount Irvine for the path.
How do you get to Back Bay?
The only way to Back Bay is a path over the cliffs, which the tourism agency described as a scramble. Go in a group, the beach is remote.
Can you swim at Back Bay?
Rueben Clement calls the swimming at Back Bay good, and bodysurfers come for the waves. There are no lifeguards at Back Bay, so stay close to shore in heavy surf.
Do turtles nest at Back Bay?
Yes. SOS Tobago lists Back Bay near Mount Irvine, alongside Turtle Beach and Grafton, as one of three index beaches for leatherback turtles and counts nests there from March to September.