On Fridays and Saturdays the market is on behind the NIB Mall, the main days according to Rough Guides. Down at the port the ferry from Port of Spain comes in. Above it, on the hill, lies the fort. You come to Scarborough for the fort, the market and the ferry, and drive a little further for a swim.
- People in the community, 2011 census
- 1,167
- People in St Andrew parish, 2011 census
- 17,537
- by car to the airport
- about 20 minutes
- Coast
- Atlantic side
Scarborough has been the capital since 1769, and under French rule it was called Port-Louis. Today the Tobago House of Assembly sits here, and since 1991 the town has had a deep-water port. How many people live in Scarborough depends on how you count. The Scarborough community counted only 1,167 people in the 2011 census. English Wikipedia gives 17,537, which is the whole parish of St Andrew.
The British began building Fort King George in October 1777, according to Citizens for Conservation, while Rough Guides dates the start to after 1762. Under the French it was Fort Castries. The present name first appears in 1804, and soldiers were garrisoned here until 1854. In the former Officers' Mess the Tobago Museum shows Amerindian finds, pieces from the 19th century and Nigerian sculptures. The fort is free, the museum charges a fee; figures for prices and opening hours contradict each other, so ask on site.
Getting there, sleeping, eating
- Getting there
- From the airport at Crown Point it is 11 kilometres (Wikipedia) or 10 (Wikivoyage), about 20 minutes by car. Buses for the whole island leave from the Sangster's Hill bus terminal off Milford Road.
- Ferry
- The ferry to Port of Spain uses the terminal near Carrington Street, run by TTIT. The crossing takes three to four hours according to the German Foreign Office, economy one way TT$75 (as of October 2026). For October 2026 only the A.P.T. James and a cargo ship were scheduled at first, and at the end of September the government announced extra sailings with two fast ferries. The schedule says vessels change without notice, so check departure and ship with the operator before you travel. More under getting there.
- Sleeping
- According to Wikivoyage several hotels and many holiday rentals, with the upmarket places in the suburb of Bacolet. Which places our booking partner lists here is on the accommodation page.
- Eating
- Less choice than in Crown Point, and many places close early (Wikivoyage). Try cow heel or pig tail soup.
- Swimming
- Below the fort a flight of steps leads down to Bacolet Bay. Little Rockly Bay west of town lay within the area of the oil spill in early February 2024, and in February 2025 oil turned up again at Petit Trou. Ask locally whether the beach has reopened.
- Also
- The botanic gardens and the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. The island's history is written into the fort.
Our tipPlan your day in Scarborough for a Friday or Saturday, the main days of the market behind the NIB Mall. Afterwards walk up to the fort.
Scarborough: frequently asked questions
How many people live in Scarborough, Tobago?
It depends on the count. The Scarborough community had only 1,167 people in the 2011 census; the often quoted figure of 17,537 covers the whole parish of St Andrew.
Does the Tobago Museum in Scarborough charge admission?
Yes. Fort King George in Scarborough is free, but the Tobago Museum inside it charges a fee. Figures for prices and opening hours vary, so ask on site.
Where does the ferry dock in Scarborough?
The ferry between Port of Spain and Scarborough uses the terminal near Carrington Street, and the crossing takes three to four hours according to the German Foreign Office. The vessels change often, so check departure and ship with the operator TTIT before you travel.
When is market day in Scarborough?
The market in Scarborough is behind the NIB Mall. According to Rough Guides the main days are Friday and Saturday.