TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BIRDING & Photo TOUR
BIRDS BY BIJS
They're Not Gonna Watch Themselves!
Trinidad and Tobago: Caribbean Birding Paradise
All images © BIRDS BY BIJS
Located just 7 miles off the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago is unique amongst other Caribbean Islands due to its shared geologic history with the nearby South American mainland, and the many West-Indian bird species found here. Our comprehensive 10-day tour offers excellent opportunities to see and photograph amazing birds like Tufted Coquette, Bearded Bellbird, Ruby Topaz Hummingbird, Black Hawk Eagle, Turquoise Tanager, White-bearded Manakin, Red-billed Tropicbird, Masked Cardinal, and the world-famous Scarlet Ibis.
Join us in observing and photographing the incredible birds, wildlife and environments of this stunning dual-island nation. This tour provides opportunities to swim and snorkel on Caribbean beaches, enjoy epic boat tours to photograph breeding seabirds like Brown Noddy, Roseate Tern, and observe nesting Leatherback Sea Turtles. Our top-notch eco-lodge accommodations will provide amazing relaxation opportunities and delicious meals throughout our travels.
So grab your camera and binos and join us for an unforgettable trip!
TOUR INFO
Dates: 26 Apr Apr – 5 May 2026 (10 days)
Price: $5,350 per person/double occupancy
Single supplement: $500.00
This tour is partnered with the Ventura Audubon Society, and enrollment is restricted to their members!
TRIP OVERVIEW
Type: Bird watching, Wildlife Viewing & Photography
Length: 10 days
Starting city: Port of Spain, Trinidad
Ending city: Port of Spain, Trinidad
Pace: easy to moderate
Physical difficulty: easy to moderate
Focus: Birding, Ecology, & Bird & Wildlife Photography
Max group size: 12 + 1 leader + local guide(s)
Trinidad and Tobago is a paradise for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Boasting a diverse avian population with 495 species of birds, a plethora of orchid species, captivating wildlife, and a vibrant cultural scene, Trinidad and Tobago has so much to offer to birdwatchers. Throughout our time together, we will explore various unique habitats as we search for some of the most stunning birds that make this sister-island nation special.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrivals Asa Wright Nature Centre
The first day of our tour kicks off as our shuttle driver collects us from either Piarco International Airport or your hotel. Head back to our lodging at Hacienda Jacana or similar. Our main focus tonight is settling in, getting comfortable, and meeting for opening dinner!
D & ON Asa Wright (or similar)
Day 2: Asa Wright Visit
Early breakfast and a full day in Trinidad’s Northern Range to visit Asa Wright Nature Centre. The Northern Range marks the northernmost stretch of the Andes Mountains, spanning the entire island horizontally. With peaks just shy of 1,000m, the habitat is primarily lower montane forests, but transitions to cloud forest at the highest slopes.
Upon arrival at Asa Wright’s world-famous veranda, we’ll be greeted by friendly staff, great birding, hot beverages, and delicious food!
From our stunning forest vantage, we can observe White-necked Jacobin, Black-throated Mango, Long-billed Starthroat, White-chested Emerald, Green Hermit, and Purple Honeycreeper. Plus Silver-beaked, Turquoise, and Bay-headed Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Spectacled Thrush, Violaceous Euphonia, and maybe even the locally rare Brown Violetear.
A brief walk around the centre’s trails holds opportunities to spot Little Hermit, White-bearded Manakin, Golden-headed Manakin, Green-backed, Guianan & Collared Trogon. Good chances to encounter Bearded Bellbird here too! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for the island’s tiniest bird, the flamboyant Tufted Coquette!
After a full day of birding, we’ll enjoy dinner at Asa Wright, review the daily checklist, and cover tomorrow’s plan!
B, L, D & ON Asa Wright Nature Centre (or similar)
Day 3: Nariva Swamp
Embark on a tide-dependent departure to Nariva Swamp, exploring Bush Bush Wildlife Sanctuary for a chance to spot Trinidad’s native Red Howler Monkeys, the endemic White-fronted Capuchin, and various birds including Plain Antvireo, White-flanked Antwren, Red-bellied Macaw, Blue and Gold Macaw, Savanna Hawk, Southern Lapwing, and White-tailed Goldenthroat.
We’ll spend most of the day exploring Nariva Swamp, a rich wetland bursting with diverse wildlife and lush vegetation. Its pristine beauty and ecological richness create an unforgettable experience that beckons exploration!
B Asa Wright L El Susan D, ON Asa Wright (or similar)
Day 4: Waterloo and Caroni Swamp
Early morning departure for Rahamat Trace, a haven for diverse wetland species like Red-breasted Meadowlark, Yellow-Hooded Blackbird, Masked Yellowthroat, Long-winged Harrier, Yellow-chinned Spinetail, Spotted Tody Flycatcher, White-headed Marsh Tyrant, and Yellow Oriole.
Next, we’ll visit the renowned Pointe-à-Pierre Waterfowl Trust, an essential sanctuary for waterfowl. Here we’ll look for Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Wattled Jacana, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Ringed Kingfisher, Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, and much more!
Enjoy a delectable lunch on the road, and continue Waterloo, where we will look for nearby shorebirds, waders, and more!
After a brief drive, our day concludes with a stunning visit to Caroni Swamp, the island’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem, renowned for its vibrant avian population, including the iconic Scarlet Ibis and American Flamingos. Amidst this birdwatcher’s paradise, we’ll seek out species like Short-tailed Swifts, Green-breasted Mango, Anhinga, Boat-billed Heron, Straight-billed Woodcreeper, Common Black Hawk, Tropical Screech Owl, Masked Cardinal, Black-crested Antshrike, Northern-Scrub Flycatcher, Little Cuckoo, Ringed, American Pygmy, and Green Kingfisher. Keep an eye out for the elusive Northeastern Silky Anteater and Cook’s Tree Boa, while savoring the sunset with a refreshing beverage as flocks of birds gracefully roost in the mangroves.
B Asa Wright L En route D & ON Asa Wright (or similar)
Day 5: Relaxed AM Birding, Bajnath Estate, Grande Riviere
Ease into the morning with on-site birding, followed by a leisurely breakfast. Depart at 10 AM for a few hours of birdwatching and lunch at the epic Bajnath Estate hummingbird garden. Soak in the birds and beauty of this emergent birding hotspot, which is most noted for its exhaustive quantity and diversity of hummingbirds like Tufted Coquette, Ruby Topaz, Copper-rumped Hummingbird, White-chest Emerald, Black-throated Mango, Blue-chinned Sapphire, Rufous-breasted, Green, and Little Hermit zipping around us.
After our visit, we’ll head northeast to settle in Grande Riviere, nestled in the lush coastal forest, where we’ll spend the next two nights. Grande Riviere’s lush vegetation, sandy stretches, and expansive coastline are a crucial conservation area, providing the most reliable habitat for the Trinidad Piping-Guan. Its beaches serve as one of the most important Leatherback Sea Turtle nesting locations in the Caribbean.
B Asa Wright L Bajnath Hummingbird Garden D & ON Le Grande Almandier
Day 6: Grande Riviere
A quick drive brings us into the forest for a sunrise adventure, aiming to spot the day’s highlight: the Trinidad Piping Guan!
While the night fades to morning, we’ll listen for nocturnal residents such as Common Pauraque, Rufous Nightjar, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, and Mottled Owl. Following this, other birds we’ll look out for include Guianan Trogon, Silvered Antbird, Trinidad Euphonia, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Due to the Trinidad Piping Guan’s critically endangered status, the guan will be our primary target for this location. After some good looks and a beautiful forested setting, we’ll make a drive back to our lodge for a delicious seaside breakfast.
Afterwards, we’ll explore the nearby Shark River, looking for more birds, and if the weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the water. Here, Magnificent Frigatebirds grace the sky, while Grey-lined Hawks keenly observe from their roadside perches.
In the afternoon, we can visit Galera Point, which is on the north-eastern tip of Trinidad. If it’s clear, we may catch our first glimpse of sister island, Tobago, just a few miles away in the Caribbean Sea.
At Galera Point we’ll look out for Common Tern, Roseate Tern, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Pelican, Brown Booby, and Ruddy Turnstone.
Other avian possibilities include Red-legged Honeycreeper, Grey Kingbird, Smooth-billed Ani, Common Ground Dove, and Scaled Dove.
Next will be dinner back at our hotel. Later in the evening, folks can enjoy an optional turtle watching tour where Leatherback Sea Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches. These behemoths – the largest turtles in the world – are easily seen up close and personal right where Sir David Attenborough sat to film Blue Planet II.
With a strong emphasis on responsible ecotourism, the tours ensure minimal impact on the nesting turtles and their environment. Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to witness the massive leatherback turtles laying eggs, covering their nests, and returning to the sea.
Day 7: Tobago Transfer
Following breakfast, we’ll load up and head to the airport for a short flight to Tobago. Once on Tobago, we will explore a few nearby wetlands to seek out some new birds like White-cheeked Pintail, Pale-vented Pigeon, Black-faced Grassquit, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Sora, Others include Purple Gallinule, Least Grebe, Northern Waterthrush, Gray Kingbird, Blue-and-White Swallow, Red-crowned Woodpecker and whatever else may be around!
After some birdy stops, we’ll proceed to Speyside, where Blue Waters Inn, our picturesque home for the next two days, awaits. We’ll settle into our rooms, and meet back for dinner and checklists while we soak up the amazing coastal ambiance! The hot tub and infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea are always a reasonable option after a long day!
B, BL Le Grande Almandier D & ON Blue Waters Inn
Day 8: Main Ridge Reserve & Little Tobago Island
Today, we depart Blue Waters Inn with boxed breakfasts and drive into the breathtaking Main Ridge Forest Reserve. Here, many local specialties like Collared Trogon, Blue-backed Manakin, Trinidad Motmot, White-tailed Sabrewing, Cocoa Woodcreeper, Rufous-tailed Jacamar, Rufous-breasted Wren, Great Black Hawk, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Venezuelan Flycatcher, Yellow-legged Thrush, White-necked Thrush, and Gray-throated Leaftosser await us.
After a mountainous morning, we’ll head back to BWI for lunch. Following lunch, we’ll depart on a breathtaking journey to Little Tobago Island.
During our brief but picturesque ride, we’ll search for Bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and flying fish. On land, we’ll take a short hike up to a panoramic view of one of the largest and most accessible breeding colonies of Red-billed Tropicbirds in the region. Additional seabirds here include Brown Booby, Red-footed Booby, Magnificent Frigatebird, and Brown Noddy, with the possibility of encountering Sooty and Bridled Terns. While exploring Little Tobago, we’ll also seek out the Scaly-naped Pigeon, Chivi Vireo, and Brown-crested Flycatcher. After reveling in this amazing experience, we’ll return to the boat and motor back to Blue Waters Inn for dinner and checklists.
BB, L , D & ON Blue Waters Inn
Day 9: Tobago Coast, Snorkeling, St. Giles Boat Tour
After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll drive to nearby Charlotteville for some Tobago beach time. Snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing on the stunning NE coast of Tobago will be our main concern for the next few hours.
From the beach, we’ll walk to a local lunch in town. After lunch, we’ve got a special boat tour to Saint Giles Island, a haven for Magnificent Frigatebirds. Here, the frigatebirds find sanctuary to breed. Overhead, their aerial prowess and massive wings are on display. Other exciting targets include nesting seabirds like Brown Noddy, Roseate, Sandwich, Common, Bridled, and Sooty Terns.
We’ll head from Charlotteville back to Speyside by vehicle, where a shower, dinner, and trip closing await us at Blue Waters Inn.
B, BWI, L Charlotteville, D Blue Waters Inn
Day 10: Trip Wrap + Departures
Today is our final day, we’ll have breakfast at 7:30, followed by a 10:00 AM departure to the Tobago Airport, transferring back to Port of Spain. From here we will part ways!
* Some folks aren’t ready to leave Tobago and opt to extend their stay at Blue Waters Inn for a night or two. Please reach out if you are interested, and we’ll help facilitate an additional stay and airport transfer.
B BWI, L En Route, Airport Transfer
Tour Includes:
- 10 days/ 9 nights lodging in Trinidad & Tobago
- Private transportation on a spacious bus
- Domestic flights (Trinidad <–> Tobago)
- World-class birding guide with Spotting Scope, portable speaker to play-back bird calls if necessary, and a laser pointer to help locate birds in the field
- 3 delicious meals a day (except for Breakfast and Lunch on Day 1) and safe drinking water/juice at meals and safe drinking water throughout the tour
- A printed and bound checklist to keep track of your sightings (given to you at the start of the tour)
- All park entrance fees or special tours
Tour Does Not Include:
- Optional tips for the tour leader or guide(s)
- Tips for luggage porters if you require their services
- International Flights, airport departure tax
- Snacks or additional drinks apart from those included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel Insurance
- Excursions not included in the tour itinerary
- Extras in hotels such as laundry service, minibar, room service, telephone calls, and personal items
- Medical fees or other items or services not specifically mentioned as being included
Questions
