Caribbean Map
Tobago Map
Englishman's Bay Map
Englishman's Bay Estate Land Use Plan
The Environment of Englishman's Bay
The Englishman's Bay Estate Development
Englishman's Bay Tobago
The Environment of Englishman's Bay
Tobago is a 116 square mile Caribbean island located 11 degrees north of the equator off the coast of Venezuela. You can find plenty of information about Tobago on the net, so here we’re going to concentrate on Englishman’s Bay.
Englishman’s Bay is situated about midway along the northern coast of Tobago, between the fishing villages of Castara and Parlatuvier. Behind the bay is the Englishman’s Bay Estate, which was once a sugar plantation and later cocoa and coconuts were cultivated. In 1963, Hurricane Flora destroyed many of the trees and buildings on the estate and cultivation ceased. (Tobago lies just outside of the “hurricane zone”. It has been estimated that a hurricane may hit Tobago, on average, about once a century.)
The estate remained abandoned until 1987, when it was purchased by an American/Trinidadian couple (see The Englishman's Bay Estate Development).
In colonial times, flourishing plantations covered most of Tobago’s fertile lands. The higher rainforests were spared when, in 1776, the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Preserve was established (the oldest Forest Preserve in the western hemisphere).
Tens of thousands of years ago Tobago was connected by a land bridge to the mainland of South America and therefore has enjoyed a much higher level of biodiversity than other Caribbean islands.
Unfortunately, most of Tobago’s wildlife species have been extirpated or their populations drastically reduced from loss of habitat and over-hunting.
What remains is still impressive:
210 species of birds, over 123 species of butterflies and more than 2,300 species of flowering plants.
The forests are home to 12 species of mammals. There are 24 species of snake, none of which are
poisonous! There are three species of marine turtles that nest on Tobago’s beaches—the leatherback,
the green and the hawksbill. Tobago’s coral reefs are among the finest in the world with a complete
complement of reef species.
Englishman’s Bay offers the nature enthusiast a variety of healthy eco-systems to explore and enjoy. 
Underwater - the fringing coral reef along the bay’s northern side is home for an abundance of reef fish.
The snorkeling is excellent. The bay is well protected by the large eastern headland.
The rivers are clean and healthy. You’ll spot small fish, manicou crabs and crayfish in the cool flowing
water. Explore the rivers to find pools and waterfalls.
The beach is lined with seaside almond and coconut palms. Englishman’s Bay River meets Rockly River directly behind the beach. These rivers separate the beach from a patch of woodland between the beach and the road – clumps of giant bamboo, Immortelle trees, wild cane and dozens of other species of trees. Higher in the hills you will find rainforest - where the canopy stretches high overhead, providing shade for smaller species: palms; vines and the occasional homosapien hiker.
If you know where to look, you will find the ruins of the old (1700's) sugar mill, which was unique in Tobago as it was animal-powered.
Is this the Caribbean you dream about?
The Englishman's Bay Estate Development
In 1995 the owners first designated the entire 400 acre estate as a Nature Preserve and hired a watchman to discourage hunting.
The Englishman’s Bay Estate Development comprises (1) a low-density residential area, (2) a site for a nature based resort & villa project and (3) a wilderness area to be preserved and enhanced.
The residential area is above and behind the bay in the foothills below the Forest Reserve (see map). Thirty-four one-acre lots have been sold, three are currently for sale, and five more will soon be available. Twelve homes have been built and several more have been started or are being planned.
The residential lots are scattered throughout the hills, some standing alone and some in small clusters of two to four. It is expected that those who have purchased lots at Englishman’s Bay and who build residences on their land will abide by the environmental guidelines included in their deeds.
The 120-acre resort & villa site (see map) begins at the tree line of the beach and extends uphill to the south and east. For more information see the resort site.
Approximately 80% of the estate will remain natural.
- Lay of the Land -
The Magnificent Frigate Bird, known locally as the Scissor Tail. These large birds glide up the coast by the hundreds and nest off the northern tip of Tobago on St.Giles Island.
