From the road it is about 300 metres. The path runs through bamboo, shady and quiet. Then the light opens up. The bay lies in front of you, and the only building on the beach is a restaurant with a souvenir shop. There are no hotels, no rows of loungers and no beach bars at Englishman's Bay.
- east of Castara
- about 3 km
- walk from the road
- about 300 m
- Coast
- Caribbean side
- Lifeguards
- none
How calm the water is depends on whom you ask. The island's tourism agency describes the bay as sheltered and calm, while discovertnt warns that the bottom shelves steeply and gets deep fast. English Wikipedia speaks of a heavy beach break. The Guardian found both in July 2026: usually very calm, rough on some days. There are no lifeguards.
A reef lies off the bay. In calm conditions you snorkel straight from the beach, as both the tourism agency and Rough Guides describe it. On days with waves it is hardly worth it, says English Wikipedia. And with the bottom shelving so steeply, the bay is no place for weak swimmers.
At a glance
- Access
- Along Northside Road. Opposite a building of the water authority WASA a blue and white sign marks a gravel track to a small car park. After rain the track is poor (Guardian, July 2026).
- Swimming
- Usually calm, some days with surf. The bottom shelves steeply and there are no lifeguards.
- Snorkelling
- Reef off the bay, reachable from the beach, worthwhile only in calm seas.
- Facilities
- Eula's restaurant and souvenir shop, toilets, loungers for hire at Eula's.
Our tipLeave nothing unattended on the beach and nothing visible in the car. Rough Guides reports thefts at the bay.
Englishman's Bay: frequently asked questions
Is Englishman's Bay in Tobago good for swimming?
Usually, though sources differ: the tourism agency calls Englishman's Bay calm, Wikipedia mentions a heavy beach break. The bottom shelves steeply and there are no lifeguards, so stay close to shore when there are waves.
How do you get to Englishman's Bay?
Englishman's Bay lies about three kilometres east of Castara on Northside Road. A blue and white sign opposite a WASA water authority building marks the gravel track to the car park, from where it is about 300 metres on foot.
Can you get food at Englishman's Bay?
Yes. Eula's restaurant and souvenir shop is the only building at Englishman's Bay, with toilets and loungers for hire.
Can you snorkel at Englishman's Bay?
Yes, a reef lies off Englishman's Bay within reach from the beach. It is only worthwhile in calm seas; with waves, Wikipedia says, it is poor.