Where I Ate, Stayed, and Played for Tobago Carnival 2025

For me, Tobago Carnival 2025 was a great mix of music, culture, beach days, and local flavor that reminded me why Tobago is such an underrated destination. Having already visited the island three times this year, I had no plans to go back to Tobago until next year. Still, after attending Speyside Harvest and going to Tobago Day in NYC, I couldn’t resist returning for the October Carnival. From early-morning fetes to drives along the Caribbean coast, here’s a full recap of where I ate, stayed, and played for Tobago Carnival 2025.

Where I Stayed During Tobago Carnival 2025

For the Carnival weekend, I stayed at Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort, an adults-only beachfront boutique resort in Black Rock that gave me the best of both worlds: easy access to fetes in Crown Point and Mount Irvine Bay, but still a calm place to unwind after a long day on the road.

After the main events, I headed east to Speyside for a slower pace and a change of scenery. The drive itself was beautiful, whether I was taking in views from the Parlatuvier Bay and Englishman’s Bay lookouts, visiting small fishing villages like Castara and Charlotteville, or driving down the Windward Road heading back to town. Speyside was the perfect post-carnival escape to recharge before going home.

Where I Played: Tobago Carnival 2025 Fetes and Island Adventures

The theme for Tobago Carnival 2025 was Mud, Mas, and Music, featuring events such as Steelpan and Powder, Junior Calypso Monarch, Rox Glo, and a Night Mas. Since I arrived AFTER j’ouvert, I didn’t get to attend official events like Monarchs of Mas, Pan Omega, and Soca Titans, which are Tobago Carnivals’ respective versions of the National Carnival’s Dimanche Gras, Panorama, and Soca Monarch/Ultimate Soca Champion. I also missed Paynt x Stink and Dutty, and Pavement Lime, but I made it to three events.

• Sunset and Soca Cooler Party – This was a cooler fete by ValeVibe and 7° North at Mt. Irvine Bay Resort. This was my favorite fete for the weekend, featuring international DJs like DJ Blaze, Private Ryan, Jel, Sounds 4 Life, and Sound Assassin & Mc Kidane, along with live performances by GBM Nutron and Lady Lava. We arrived towards the end of Ryan’s set, and the vibes were there from the time we arrived until we left.
• #SSS Festival of Colors – If you’re familiar with #SSS/Secret Soca Society, they’re the team behind J’ouvert festivals, night fetes, brunch parties, and boat rides across the Caribbean, led by Freeze International and L.O.E.G Inc. This was their first-ever event in Tobago, and it had a solid turnout. Held at Pigeon Point, it was a j’ouvert-style cooler fete with paint, powder, and plenty of vibes. Since I missed Tobago Carnival’s J’ouvert, I decided to attend, but personally, I wouldn’t choose this event over the traditional J’ouvert experience. A bonus was the morning dip and washing off the paint at Tobago’s popular Pigeon Point Beach.
• Las Lap – For the second year in a row, I attended Las Lap, also in Pigeon Point. This was a perfect close-out to the weekend and a fete that can easily be paired with Fog Angels’ Beach to Beach parade.

On Carnival Sunday, I jumped up with Fog Angels J’ouvert and Mas Band, and it was everything. The theme this year was Wild Wild West, and compared to previous years, I had no complaints about costume distribution/pickup. I chose Entice Mas’ Rose Renegade section and loved everything about my costume, even without a backpack. I had Trini Chinese for lunch at the rest stop at the Scarborough Esplanade and also ate a bit of sushi and Caribbean food before heading back on the road for the last stretch.

The best part was crossing the stage, which was near the end of the parade route. This was the first time seeing a stage set up for Tobago Carnival, and I was so happy to jump up to Bunji Garlin’s “Carry It” while the majority of the band crossed to Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Road March winner, “PARDY” by Machel Montano.

When I wasn’t in full Carnival mode, I traveled with my cousin beyond Scarborough. Since our weekend trip to Tobago back in 2015, she’s never traveled outside the capital, so I used the opportunity to take her along one of the routes for my Tobago group trips with En Voyage Experiences.

We passed by the Remarkable Silk Cotton Tree on the Northside road, stopped for drinks in Castara, and made our way up to Fort Campbleton for panoramic views of Charlotteville before heading down to the beach. Charlotteville has some of the best beaches in Tobago, with calm, clear waters perfect for swimming. Our last stop was the historic Speyside Waterwheel and the estate ruins that powered sugar cane production in the late 18th century.

Toward the end of the week, I enjoyed a date night at Big Dawg Sports Bar & Lounge in Bon Accord to play pool, and we headed to the strip on Milford Road, a popular nightlife spot filled with bars and street food. On my last night, I visited the Speyside Beach Facility, where a live DJ and more pool was played to close out the trip.

What I Ate and Drank in Tobago

Whether I was grabbing a puncheon and pineapple from the drinks truck on Carnival Sunday, drinking Passionfruit Rude Boy or a Caribe Peach Bellini while liming with friends, picking fresh fruits from the yard, or enjoying my favorite snacks like Kiss strawberry cupcakes, and pommecythere (June plum) chow during the week, Tobago is a great destination for food.

After checking into my hotel, I stopped at the Buccoo Town Centre Food Court for some grilled shrimp skewers and a salad. During our time in town, we had breakfast every morning at Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort, which included foods like fried and coconut bakes, saltfish, smoked herring, bodi, pumpkin and tomato choka, and assorted fruits, as well as pancakes, French toast, and waffles.

We stopped by Store Bay Beach for some callaloo and dumplings, and on our way back from a full day on the North Coast, we grabbed a grilled mahi-mahi meal from Skewers in Argyle. I also enjoyed a lamb gyro from Gyro King.

Why Tobago Carnival Should Be on Your 2026 Travel List

If Tobago Carnival 2026 is on your mind, consider this your sign to make it happen. The dates for next year are scheduled from October 30 to November 1, and it’s the perfect mix of intimate Carnival energy, a growing Soca scene, culture, and beautiful beaches. Tobago Carnival gets bigger every year, so definitely secure your flights and accommodations by early to late spring, and register with a mas band, and purchase fete tickets before summer wraps up.

From playing mas with Fog Angels to taking in the island’s food and enjoying the North coast at a slower pace, Tobago Carnival gives you the right blend of vibes and freedom. Whether you’re planning your first trip or coming back, Tobago Carnival is the perfect way to end the Carnival season.

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