Fishing boats lie at anchor in the bay. On the shore fishermen haul in a net, a few metres along someone is swimming. Man o' War Bay is both harbour and village beach for Charlotteville, a natural harbour that discovertnt says is deep enough for cruise ships. The bay belongs to the village: fishermen, food stalls and swimmers share the same sand.
- Sandy beach
- about 1 mile
- Coast
- Caribbean side
- by car from Scarborough
- about 1 hour
- Lifeguards per discovertnt
- yes (2018)
About a mile of sand, good for swimming: that is how the tourism department described the beach in 2010. Discovertnt mentions lifeguards in its 2018 version. Check on the spot whether the post is staffed, and note that red flags mark unsafe bathing areas, as discovertnt points out. The oil spill of early February 2024 did not reach the bay: in March 2024 the tourism agency named the Caribbean side as far as Charlotteville as unaffected.
The bay splits into smaller sections. Hermitage Bay, Campbleton Bay and, at the far north, Pirate's Bay, which the tourism department (2010) credits with some of the best snorkelling on the island. You get there on a dirt track and a long staircase, or a fisherman from Man o' War Bay takes you across by boat. Maps also spell it Man-o-War Bay or Man of War Bay.
At a glance
- Access
- In the middle of Charlotteville. About an hour by car from Scarborough (Wikivoyage), maxi taxis with a blue band run the route (Rough Guides).
- Swimming
- Long sandy bay, good for swimming (tourism department 2010). Lifeguards per discovertnt (2018).
- Snorkelling
- For reefs, walk on to Pirate's Bay at the northern end of the bay.
- Facilities
- Food and craft stalls next to the beach (discovertnt), a beach facility run by the island government THA (as of 2020).
Our tipA steep footpath leads up to Fort Campbleton at the edge of the village. An old cannon still stands at the top.
Man o' War Bay: frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Man o' War Bay?
Yes. Man o' War Bay in Charlotteville has about a mile of sand, and Tobago's tourism department described it as good for swimming in 2010. Discovertnt mentions lifeguards in its 2018 version.
How long is the drive from Scarborough to Charlotteville?
About an hour by car, says Wikivoyage. Charlotteville lies right on Man o' War Bay in north-east Tobago.
How do you get from Man o' War Bay to Pirate's Bay?
On foot along a dirt track from Charlotteville and down a long staircase, or by boat with a fisherman from Man o' War Bay.
Was Man o' War Bay affected by the 2024 oil spill?
No. In March 2024 Tobago's tourism agency named the Caribbean side from Pigeon Point to Charlotteville as unaffected, Man o' War Bay included.