Sunday July 06, 2008
Great Courland Bay

Visitors who are looking for a quiet stretch of sand in a natural setting may want to venture a little off the beaten path to Great Courland Bay.

Great Cortland Bay, on the coast of Tobago, has clear blue waters and one of the longest sandy beaches on the island. The waters are calm, giving guests the perfect spot for a refreshing dip, or maybe even the chance to try out a new watersport; and the view from the Bay of the Caribbean is absolutely breathtaking.

Vacationers who are hoping for a taste of seclusion in Trinidad and Tobago might enjoy a stop at Great Courland Bay. Cities aren't far away, but you won't be too far from the beaten path, you may find it's the perfect middle ground.

It's best to remember that, despite Great Courland Bay's lack of seclusion, you'll find it's further from the crowds in Trinidad and Tobago than others. It's the perfect choice for families and groups of friends where a bit of beach activity is the preference - without visiting the most crowded areas of the coast.

For some visitors the amenities and attractions at or around a beach are particularly important attributes. For others, opportunities for privacy and spending a relaxing day in the sun are extremely important. No matter what you're looking for, Trinidad and Tobago has plenty to choose from, and you may decide that Great Courland Bay is right on target for you.

Location

This sandy stretch is on Trinidad and Tobago's southwestern coast; it is located near the Cocrico Inn, 0.4 miles away. Great Courland Bay is near Plymouth, so you can tour the town after your visit to the beach.

Nearby Hotels

The number of other people sharing the beach can vary widely, depending upon when you visit. You can typically expect to see hotel guests staying close by. There are a small number of hotels located near this beach. Those hoping to stay near this beach shouldn't have much difficulty.

Additional hotels are listed in the following table.

Nearest Hotels to Great Courland Bay
Hotel NameDistanceNo. of
Rooms
Cocrico Inn 0.4 mi. 18
Grafton Beach Resort 0.4 mi. 106
Rex Resorts Turtle Beach 0.5 mi. 125
Mount Irvine Bay Hotel & Golf Club 2.2 mi. 203
Ocean Point Apartment Hotel 4.2 mi. 12
Half Moon Blue Hotel at The Donkey Cart House 4.9 mi. 8
Hilton Tobago Golf & Spa Resort 5.3 mi. 22

Amenities and Ambience

Hotels, restaurants, and a marina flank the shores of this very popular area. Swimming and snorkeling, as well as many other watersports, can be enjoyed here. Neighboring Turtle Beach attracts giant leatherback turtles to nest in the area, and guests can often see them during season on Great Courland Bay's beaches.

The number of people on the beach is affected by the time of day, season, and other factors. Some of Trinidad and Tobago's beaches may rarely be crowded, while others are often crowded particularly during the high season. An important thing to remember when considering a day at the beach can be, for some beach goers, the possibility of crowds. While some prefer a crowded beach filled with people and activity, other beach bums like a quieter oceanfront setting.

Like many other aspects of Trinidad and Tobago this beach has a distinctive quality which will be more appealing to some than to others. The special qualities of this beach are somewhat different from most other locations in Trinidad and Tobago. Great Courland Bay is host to a number of hotels, restaurants, shops, and even a marina, drawing a multitude of people - both tourists and locals - to enjoy its shores. The beach sometimes gets rather crowded.

Attractions

If you're like most travelers, you want to experience plenty of incredible sights during your trip-- and also relax a little bit. The beach can be a relaxing experience, but natural attractions, like Arnos Vale Reef Dive Spot (located 1.9 miles to the northeast of Great Courland Bay) can be an wonderful part of your vacation experience.

Historical attractions like Flagstaff Hill offer a nice complement to the shores of Great Courland Bay giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about Trinidad and Tobago without venturing too far from the beach.

If your taste for travel keeps you looking for new activity and attraction options, you won't be far from the items in the following table when you're at this beach.

Attractions Near Great Courland Bay
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
Arnos Vale Reef Dive Spot 1.9 mi. NE Natural Attraction
Mt. Irvine Reef Dive Spot 3.6 mi. SW Natural Attraction
Botanic Gardens 3.8 mi. SE Natural Attraction
Fort King George 4.3 mi. SE Historical Site
Buccoo Reef National Park 4.4 mi. SW Natural Attraction
Pigeon Point Dive Spot 6.5 mi. SW Natural Attraction
Crown Point Dive Spot 8.2 mi. SW Natural Attraction
Eastern Tobago National Park 17.9 mi. NE Natural Attraction

Food

It doesn't matter if it's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, an absolutely wonderful way to start-- or end-- your day is often visiting a local eatery, where you can sample local cuisine without having to go far from the beach.

Some dining options are shown in the table below.

Restaurants Near Great Courland Bay
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
The Emerald Restaurant Creole varies 1.6 mi. S
Arnos Vale Waterwheel Restaurant Contemporary varies 2.5 mi. NE
Rouselles Creole dinner 4.6 mi. SE
Old Donkey Cart Creole breakfast, lunch, dinner 4.8 mi. SE
Best of Thymes Caribbean lunch & dinner 6.2 mi. SW
Eleven Degrees North Caribbean dinner 6.4 mi. SW

Trinidad and Tobago offers plenty of great restaurants, but not all meals have to be eaten in a formal setting. Some visitors enjoy having a meal right at the beach. Hence, you might want to have your hotel pack a picnic lunch for you, or you can find picnic supplies en route to the beach.

Other Beaches

You'll find multiple beaches in Trinidad and Tobago and Great Courland Bay is just one option. You might also enjoy Man-O-War; it's situated 16.6 miles to the northeast. Man-O-War beach in Charlotteville's small fishing village maintains a quaint atmosphere, beautiful beaches for swimming, and great dining where guests can purchase the fishermen's fresh catch right off the boat.

But, if you're interested in a more active beach, Stone Haven Bay may be just what you're looking for. It's found 1.6 miles to the southwest.

Another option worth considering is Little Rockley Bay; it is located 4.1 miles from Great Courland Bay. Little Rockley Bay on Tobago is a great spot for a stroll down the long, sandy shore, and swimming is good. However, the waters are murky and can get rough from the ocean gusts.

You'll find plenty to see and do in Trinidad and Tobago, including a trip to Great Courland Bay.