Trinidad Northern Eco-Cultural Tour: Scarlet Ibis Sunset

Watch thousands of Scarlet Ibis settle into the mangroves as the sun drops over Caroni Lagoon.

A full-day tour from Port of Spain that covers Port of Spain's colonial heart, Maracas Beach on the north coast, and the Caroni Wetlands by flat-bottomed boat, with the defining moment a sunset viewing of the Scarlet Ibis roosting in the mangroves. Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional English-speaking guide, and bottled water are included. The tour runs eight hours and suits all fitness levels, with children welcome from age three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Queen's Park Savannah30m
2. Maracas Bay1h

Trinidad city and nature highlights

• City tour of Port of Spain
• Visit Queens Park Savannah
• Drive scenic North Coast Road
• Stop at Maracas Lookout for photos
• Try local snacks and listen to Calypso
• Relax and swim at Maracas Beach
• Taste Bake and Shark Sandwich
• Boat tour in Caroni Wetlands
• Watch Scarlet Ibis at sunset

The experience

How do you see the Scarlet Ibis without spending a full day chasing it? This tour builds the day around the bird's evening roost, which means you start in Port of Spain's Independence Square and Queen's Park Savannah (a 200-acre park ringed with the colonial mansions known as the Magnificent Seven), then head north along the coast road to Maracas Beach. The Maracas Lookout gives you a stop for photos of the surrounding bays and a chance to try local snacks from vendors. At the beach itself you can swim in the Caribbean or walk the sand, and the world-famous Bake and Shark sandwich is there if you want it.

The second half centers on the Caroni Wetlands, a 48-square-mile sanctuary of mangrove swamp and lagoon on Trinidad's western coast. You board a large flat-bottomed boat and move slowly through the waterways, where the wildlife includes neo-tropical cormorants, tri-colored herons, red-capped cardinals, snowy egrets and other species that nest and feed here. The mangrove roots host tiny oysters. Non-poisonous snakes move through the branches, and caimans surface in the water. As the sun sets, the Scarlet Ibis, Trinidad's national bird, fly in from feeding grounds and settle into the mangroves in a mass of red against the darkening sky, a sight the quiet lagoon atmosphere makes impossible to forget.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels.
• air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• a professional English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 11:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Island Experiences

Is this one for you?The eight-hour schedule is what fits all four stops (the city, the lookout, Maracas Beach and the wetlands boat ride) into a single day, so you see both the colonial capital and the Scarlet Ibis roost without splitting the experience across two trips.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Queen's Park Savannah and why is it on this tour?

Queen's Park Savannah is a 200-acre recreational park in Port of Spain lined with exotic trees and colonial mansions, including the Magnificent Seven: the finest examples of 19th-century architecture in the city. It anchors the morning city portion of the tour and shows you the capital's architectural heritage before you head to the coast.

Can I actually swim at Maracas Beach, or is it just a photo stop?

Maracas Beach is a full stop where you can swim in the Caribbean, walk along the sandy shore, or simply relax. The beach is lined with coconut trees and vendors selling local food, including the Bake and Shark sandwich the beach is known for.

What birds will I see in the Caroni Wetlands besides the Scarlet Ibis?

The Caroni Wetlands are home to neo-tropical cormorants, large-billed terns, tri-colored herons, red-capped cardinals, snowy egrets, and bi-colored cane-bills. You may also spot non-poisonous snakes in the mangrove branches, caimans in the water, and silky anteaters, though the Scarlet Ibis roosting at sunset is the tour's highlight.

Is the boat ride through the wetlands suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Yes. You travel by flat-bottomed boat with an outboard motor, so swimming ability is not required. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and you stay in the boat while viewing wildlife and the Scarlet Ibis roost.

What's included in the price, and what should I bring?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, a professional English-speaking guide, and bottled water are included. Dress in smart casual clothing and bring sun protection. The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for rain or sun.