Trinidad and Tobago: the ideal sports holiday
Sporting fans can expect to be fully taken care of when visiting either of these beautiful islands. From football and cricket to paddle boarding and windsurfing, there's something to keep all ages entertained
Trinidad and Tobago has long been synonymous with the gentlemen's game of cricket through its historical connections with the British Empire. The islands now boast of a plethora of sporting events that take advantage of the generally good year-round weather.
The two islands are home to a total of nine golf courses — with one European PGA-designed course on each – hosting a series of local, regional and international tournaments. Cycling continues to grow in popularity with Trinidad and Tobago enjoying success at regional events and international championships.
The sporting calendar is filled with series of road-racing events from the Tobago International Cycling Classic to the Beacon Cycling on the Avenue, which transforms the traffic-laden and activity-filled Ariapita Avenue into a cyclists' dream track with spectators almost at arm's lengths from the action. Cycling now has a new home with the National Cycling Centre located in Couva in central Trinidad.
Other world-class facilities have been opened to make way for large-scale tournaments in swimming, tennis and cricket. For example, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy has hosted the exciting Caribbean Premier League finals and will do so for the next two years. The initials CPL are now being interpreted as 'Cricket Played Louder,' as some fans are going to international matches in Trinidad and Tobago not so much for the excellent stroke-play, but more for the electric atmosphere, great food and fun.
Apart from the more organised sporting events, novelty sports are not to be left out. Tobago has now become synonymous with a five-day Easter weekend that culminates with goat racing. It's as fun-filled as it sounds and the 'jockey' must be as fit as the goats as they charge down a race track tethered to the animals. Visitors are always encouraged to participate in the races and sometimes do even better than some of the home-grown jockeys.
Watersports have become even more popular on both islands with the Dragon Boat Festival in Trinidad held every year in mid-October and mid-June in Tobago. In Tobago, sports such as stand-up paddleboarding, kiteboarding and windsurfing attract hardcore enthusiasts and novices alike. These sports can be accessed at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park on the southwestern tip of the island. Tobago is a haven for scuba divers. There are 40 dive sites around the island that have been given catchy names such as London Bridge, Japanese Gardens and Kelleston Drain, the last site being home to the largest brain coral in the western hemisphere.
Game fishing also continues to grow in international popularity. The season here runs from February to August, with the Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament held each May in Charlotteville, and Tarpon Thunder off Trinidad's northwestern coast in August. Expect deep-sea fishing coupled with the vibrancy, beauty and friendliness of the Caribbean.
Destination Trinidad and Tobago gives you two islands only a 20-minute flight away from each other, but both with sport activities galore. Come to Trinidad and Tobago to stay and play.
