Tobago's capital greets ships at a modern deepwater pier steps from the town center — with rainforest reserves, coral reefs, and rum-shack beaches just a short ride away.
Most ships dock directly at the deepwater cruise terminal in central Scarborough — no tender required.
💡 Pro move: Some smaller ships may tender to Pigeon Point (~9 km from town) rather than the Scarborough pier — check your ship's daily program.
Scarborough's modernized deepwater harbor handles most cruise ships dockside in the town center.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines | Scarborough Cruise Terminal, town center📍 | Docked |
| Some expedition/small ships | Pigeon Point anchorage (~9 km from town)📍 | Tendered |
Tobago punches above its size — coral reefs, rainforest hikes, waterfall swims, and breezy hilltop forts are all within reach of a one-day call.
A classic Tobago excursion: snorkel the living coral of Buccoo Reef then wade in the shallow, milky-clear Nylon Pool sandbar — a short boat ride from the pier.
Find Buccoo Reef tours →Tobago's postcard beach: a thatched-roof jetty, calm turquoise water, and powdery white sand. Entrance fee applies; sun loungers and snacks available.
Book a Pigeon Point day trip →18th-century British fortification perched above Scarborough with sweeping views of the Caribbean. Cannons, barracks, and a small museum of Tobagonian history.
Explore Fort King George tours →Tobago's tallest waterfall cascades in three tiers through rainforest. A local guide leads you to the natural pool at the base — refreshing and photogenic.
Find Argyle Waterfall hikes →The oldest protected rainforest in the Western Hemisphere is a birdwatcher's paradise — motmots, toucans, and hummingbirds thrive in the canopy.
Book a Main Ridge birding tour →The colorful Municipal Market is a short walk from the pier — fresh tropical fruit, local spices, and handcrafted souvenirs. Wander Burnett Street for roti and local rum shops.
Book a Scarborough food tour →Scarborough's compact center is walkable from the pier; Fort King George rewards the uphill climb with panoramic views over both bays.
Exit the cruise terminal gate onto Carrington Street, walk through the downtown grid to the Scarborough Municipal Market, then continue to the seafront esplanade.
From the market, follow Fort Street uphill to Fort King George. The 18th-century ramparts offer panoramic views over the Caribbean — well worth the climb.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Scarborough, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 81°F / 27°C | 75°F / 24°C | 14 | 6:26 AM | 5:58 PM |
| Feb | 81°F / 27°C | 75°F / 24°C | 10 | 6:23 AM | 6:10 PM |
| Mar | 82°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 13 | 6:10 AM | 6:13 PM |
| Apr | 83°F / 28°C | 77°F / 25°C | 11 | 5:51 AM | 6:14 PM |
| May | 84°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 12 | 5:40 AM | 6:18 PM |
| Jun | 83°F / 28°C | 77°F / 25°C | 21 | 5:40 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Jul | 83°F / 28°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 5:47 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Aug | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 24 | 5:52 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 79°F / 26°C | 21 | 5:52 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Oct | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 22 | 5:52 AM | 5:44 PM |
| Nov | 83°F / 28°C | 77°F / 25°C | 23 | 5:59 AM | 5:35 PM |
| Dec | 82°F / 28°C | 76°F / 24°C | 19 | 6:14 AM | 5:42 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The cruise terminal is right at the edge of downtown Scarborough — most shops, the market, and Fort King George are within a 5–15 minute walk.
Licensed taxis (H-plates) wait at the pier. Fares are unmetered so agree on a price before you get in; US dollars widely accepted.
Blue-band maxi-taxis run set routes around Tobago at very low cost — budget-friendly but schedules are informal, so not ideal if you have a hard ship deadline.
Tobago FastRide, TT RideShare, and allRiDi are local app-based services available on the island. Driver availability can be inconsistent compared to larger markets.
Full- and half-day tours depart from the cruise terminal and cover beaches, Argyle Waterfall, Buccoo Reef, and Fort King George — the most stress-free way to see the island on a port day.
Upcoming cruises that call at Scarborough, Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.