Trinidad and Tobago are islands in the Caribbean Sea, so there are countless opportunities for kayaking. However, for those who don’t want to deal with big waves, swells or ocean currents, Trinidad and Tobago offers a selection of sheltered saltwater and freshwater kayaking opportunities. In this article we will explore some of these kayak areas.
Nariva River, Manzanilla, Trinidad
Nariva, on the east coast of Trinidad, is the largest wetland in Trinidad and Tobago with some 32 square miles of freshwater herbaceous swamp. It combines four main types of wetlands (mangrove swamp forest, palm forest, swamp forest, and freshwater marsh) and has been formally designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Most of the water in the area flows into the Atlantic through the short tides of the Nariva River.
The Nariva River provides a year-round opportunity for kayaking and empties into the sea at Manzanilla Bay. There are two easily accessible entry points; at the mouth of the river and on the bridge over the Manzanilla/Mayaro Highway that crosses the river. When entering or leaving the river at the river mouth at low tide, care must be taken to ensure that you are not washed out to sea, as the river flow can be quite strong. Along the river it is possible to see alligators basking in the sun, while tarpon (locally known as grande ecaille) are sometimes seen near the water’s surface.
The Nariva Swamp is home to an incredibly diverse variety of reptiles, mammals and birds, some of which are rare and endangered. There are more than 171 species of birds on Nariva, including manakins, tanagers, anteaters, caracaras, and nuthatches. There are 5 species of parrots (including macaws), 2 species of owls, 2 species of trogons, 11 species of hummingbirds, potoos, toucans, and limkins. It is within Nariva that blue and gold macaws have been reintroduced to Trinidad. There are 59 species of mammals that can be found on Nariva, including red howler and capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifrons), deer, porcupines, three-toed and silky anteaters, and opossums. Trinidad’s last surviving colony of the West Indian manatee is located within Nariva. Various reptiles including the giant anaconda, fer-de-lance snake and caiman are also found in Nariva.
Ortoire River, Trinidad
At the southern end of Manzanilla Bay, the Ortoire River flows into the sea and also offers year-round kayaking opportunities. In addition to the entry point at the mouth of the river, another easy entry point to the Ortoire River is located next to the bridge that crosses the Rio Claro/Mayaro highway on the outskirts of Mayaro.
Godineau River, Trinidad
The Godineau River is also known as the South Oropouche River. Kayaking in the Godineau area takes you through a variety of habitats, from saltwater mangroves to freshwater swamps to partially cultivated areas. A variety of birds can be seen on these kayak trips, including the scarlet ibis, southern lapwing, osprey, sabanero hawk, baleen jacana, cattle egret, yellow-hooded blackbird, lesser yellow duckling, black-bellied whistling duck and a variety of migratory ducks (during northern winter).
The Godineau River is one of the rivers in Trinidad that provides year-round kayaking opportunities as the water level is always sufficient. This kayak trip can be started from the sea along the area known as Mosquito Creek or inland from the Woodland area.
Marianne River, Blanchissesse, Trinidad
The Marianne River empties into the sea at Blanchisseuse and it is easiest to start paddling from the mouth of the river. This is not a long kayak trip for most kayakers, as upriver is an area known as Three Pools which makes for some difficult porting. It is best to kayak in this area towards the end of the rainy season, as the water level is high enough to allow paddling the entire trip. During the dry season there are parts of the river where the low water level forces kayaks to walk.
At the river mouth freshwater swamp vegetation exists along the river banks, while freshwater swamp forest exists inland with towering stands of bamboo. While kayaking down the river, a variety of birds can be seen, including spotted sandpipers, kingfishers, gray tyrants, and striped herons.
At the mouth of the river, kayaks are available for rent every day, year-round.
Fullarton, Cedars, Trinidad
The entire Cedros peninsula is a bird watching experience. The Fullarton Swamp is ideal for the armchair birder. The road from Fullarton Village to Icacos Village passes through the center of the Ciénaga, so it is possible to see the birds literally without getting out of your vehicle. However, it is most enjoyable when you park your vehicle and enter the water, allowing you to see many of the smaller birds that may be perching in the mangroves. The presence of the road makes getting in and out of the water very easy. In this area among the birds that can be observed are Greater Egret, Scarlet Ibis, Black Skimmer, Black-necked Stilt, Black-bellied Whistling Duck, Blackcap, American Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellow-chinned Lointail, Common Moorhen, snowy egret.
Chagaramas, Trinidad
Williams Bay, Chagaramas offers kayaking opportunities in relatively protected ocean waters. In the coastal bays in front of the Military Museum it is sometimes possible to see marine iguanas on the rocks and in the sea and capuchin monkeys in the trees.
Kayak rentals are available every day throughout the year from the Kayak Center.
Another Chagaramas area kayaking opportunity starts at the Almoorings Fishing Depot/Crews Inn Marina area. From this starting point it is possible to kayak along the coast to Bocas or turn south and paddle out to Centipede Island and then across the channel to Gasparee Island.
When rowing in this area, you should be aware of the different motor boats that enter and leave the different marinas, especially on weekends.
charlotteville, tobago
Charlotteville is located at the end of Windward Road in Tobago, this quaint little town sits on a bay with Tobago’s best deep-water harbor. It is bordered by the lush greenery of high mountains on one side and the brilliant blue waters of Man-O-War Bay on the other. This wide and deep bay was once an anchorage for English fighting ships, as the name implies. Today it is used as a sheltered anchorage for visiting yachts. The northern part of the bay is called Pirates Bay, which gives an idea of its past. In this bay are several marginal reefs that provide a protected anchorage. Kayaks are available for rent in the bay.
This bay is a nesting site for turtles.
Buccoo Bay (Tobago)
The blue waters of Buccoo Bay and Bon Accord Lagoon are protected by the offshore Buccoo Reef, providing an area for kayaking with only gentle surf. Kayak rentals are available at the nearby Storebay and also at Pigeon Point. The mangrove swamps that line Bon Accord Lagoon provide a scenic contrast to the white-sand beaches along Pigeon Point and in the center of Buccoo Bay. Branches of the reef are also home to adjacent Milford Bay, allowing for kayaking southeast from Bon Accord Lagoon around Pigeon Point and into Milford Bay or vice versa.
The next time you’re considering your vacation activities, consider kayaking opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago.