Blue Waters Inn by Danny Sriskandarajah

Laid-back holidaying is what attracts many visitors to Tobago and laid-back is what Blue Waters does best. Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Tobago has retained plenty of its traditional charm. For more than 30 years Blue Waters Inn has managed to capture that laid-back feeling like no other establishment. Falling somewhere between a small, family-run hotel and a large resort, Blue Waters abounds in what one return guest calls ‘unsophisticated charm’.

At the South-eastern extreme of Tobago (just over an hour’s drive from the airport), tucked into its own private bay and sat literally at the water’s edge, Blue Waters Inn enjoys an idyllic location. Nature lovers and birdwatchers will love the resort’s 46 acres of grounds. Snorkellers will love the coral just off the beach and divers will love having one of Tobago’s best-known dives-shops next door. Those who want to do nothing will love that the beach is just a couple of metres from the rooms.

Blue Waters Inn is a great place to unwind for a week or two and enjoy the simple pleasures that Tobago has to offer. Prices are reasonable by Caribbean standards, especially in the winter when rates are about a third less, but this means that Blue Waters doesn’t offer the high-end luxury. Self-catering apartments have a few more amenities and offer a little more space than a standard. Bungalows are better still, offering extra privacy, but are usually double the price of a standard room. The Shipwreck Bar is a fantastic place to kick back with a rum or chilled Carib beer. The food at Blue Waters is reasonable but Jemma’s Kitchen in the nearby village of Speyside offers spectacularly large and delicious local cuisine (though bear in mind that Jemma does not serve alcohol). Given Blue Waters’ remote location, renting a car is advisable. Doing this at the airport is often the easiest.