A ridge of rock divides the bay. On one side the water lies calm in front of the hotel. On the other, at the Mount Irvine Beach Facility, surfing waves roll in from December to March. At Mount Irvine Bay you pick your beach by the water: calm for swimming on the hotel side, surf at the facility. Both sections are open to the public, the hotel side included.
- sections, split by rocks
- two
- Surf
- December to March
- Blue Flag
- pilot status 2020
- Lifeguards
- yes
Underwater, discovertnt praised corals, sponges and reef fish in 2018, and you can hire snorkelling gear, canoes and Hobie Cats on the beach. Since then heat has taken its toll on the reef. In 2023 the corals at Mount Irvine were bleached, and in 2024 TTT and the Trinidad Express reported more than 80 per cent bleaching here as at Buccoo Reef. Expect paler corals than older descriptions promise.
In October 2020 the bay received Blue Flag pilot status. According to Blue Flag (2023/24 season), the tourism agency is still working towards the full award. discovertnt mentions lifeguards. And at night there are sometimes visitors from the sea: discovertnt (2022) and the Guardian (2026) list Mount Irvine among the nesting beaches of leatherback turtles.
At a glance
- Access
- Along Shirvan Road (Rough Guides). The hotel beach is open to the public.
- Swimming
- Calm on the hotel side, surf at the Mount Irvine Beach Facility from December to March. Lifeguards according to discovertnt, keep away from manchineel trees.
- Snorkelling
- Reef with corals, sponges and reef fish, gear for hire on the beach. Heavy coral bleaching reported in 2024.
- Facilities
- Both sections with toilets, bar and loungers. Changing rooms at the facility, renovated in February 2019.
Our tipCome on a weekday in the late afternoon. In 2018 discovertnt mentioned a fish market on the beach, Monday to Friday from 4pm to 5pm; check locally whether it still runs.
Mount Irvine Bay: frequently asked questions
Can you surf at Mount Irvine Bay?
Yes. According to the tourism agency, surfing waves roll in at the Mount Irvine Beach Facility from December to March. For calm swimming go to the hotel side of Mount Irvine Bay; rocks separate the two sections.
Does Mount Irvine Bay have a Blue Flag?
Mount Irvine Bay received Blue Flag pilot status in October 2020. According to Blue Flag, the tourism agency is still working towards the full award.
Is snorkelling at Mount Irvine Bay worth it?
In 2018 discovertnt described corals, sponges and reef fish at Mount Irvine Bay, and you can hire gear on the beach. In 2024, however, more than 80 per cent coral bleaching was reported there, so expect pale corals.
Are there toilets and a bar at Mount Irvine Bay?
Yes, both sections of Mount Irvine Bay have toilets, a bar and loungers. The Mount Irvine Beach Facility with changing rooms was renovated in February 2019.