Looking for a Caribbean break with a difference? Tory Kingdon kicks back in Trinidad and Tobago, the vibrant twin-island nation that has much more to offer than your average beach holiday

1. Shore thing
Whether you find yourself relaxing on the calm, crystal-clear waters of the west coast, or strolling down the rugged windward sands of the east, Tobago has the perfect beach spot for you. The reef at Buccoo Bay features 40 different species of coral, as well as turtles, giant manta rays and all manner of vibrantly coloured aquatic life. Swim in the Nylon Pool, a balmy, metre-deep shallow between the shore and the reef. The area was named by Princess Margaret who claimed the water was as ‘clear as her nylon stockings’.

2. Paradise found
Take a boat from Charlotteville to the hidden cove of Lover’s Beach, where the sand is pink with crushed seashells that sparkle in the sun. Pigeon Point beach is often heralded as top of the pile when it comes to beaches. Part of a 125-acre nature reserve on the southwestern side of Tobago, palm trees line pale, powder-soft sand and a jetty, complete with a thatched-roof cabana, extends into bright turquoise waters.

3. Take a hike
For those not content with easy island life, there are many excellent diving opportunities, with premier sites such as Angel Reef, Kelleston Drain, Coral Gardens and Black Jack Hole. Check out the Argyle Waterfall on the west coast and hike alongside the breathtaking, three-tiered waterfall. If you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of kingfishers hovering by the river. Thrill-seekers can head to the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve for mountain biking, waterfall jumps and treetop trails – or cross over to Trinidad’s Macqueripe Bay if you fancy a zip-wire ride.

4. Beat of my drum
If the people of Trinidad and Tobago aren’t celebrating Carnival, they are either talking about the last one or preparing for the next. The annual parade is the biggest event in the calendar and includes parties and processions, elaborate costumes, dancing and live music. The calypso beat that booms through the streets will get even the most resolute dance floor-dodger shaking their hips and the familiar sound of the steel pan drum is rarely out of earshot.

5. A rum old time
Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Carnival, the islands are alive with vibrant sounds all year round. This infectious energy is evident in the dance clubs of Trinidad’s Ariapita Avenue, at the Shark and Bake beach shacks on Maracas Beach in northern Trinidad, and in Buccoo on, Tobago, where local musicians hold impromptu jam sessions as the sun goes down. The twin island republic is a melting pot of cultures, with African, Creole, south Asian, British, Spanish and Portuguese influences - so grab a rum cocktail and immerse yourself in a unique Caribbean experience.

Have an opinion on The Club that you’d like to share? Let us know

This article has been tagged Destination, Travel Tips