by Shivanee Ramlochan, Paper Based Blogger

Published by the Institute of Marine Affairs, 2013.

Timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the Institute of Marine Affairs, Beaches and Bays of Trinidad and Tobago doesn’t claim to be a definitive guide to every single inlet or strip of littoral to be found on our nation’s shores. Instead, it improves on the indepth existing model of its first edition, highlighting thirty beaches and bays in Trinidad, and twenty-three in Tobago. Presented in a glossy, coffee table format, this handily sized primer will serve as a welcome refresher course to local sea loving enthusiasts, as well as a commendable textual compass for those new to T & T’s beach geography.

Beaches and Bays is laid out with attention devoted to both stunning outlays and maximum accessibility. Trinidad’s beaches are sectioned according to their position on the North, East, South and West coasts, while Tobago’s are ordered according to the Leeward and Windward sides of the island. Popular touristic choices abound: Store Bay; Maracas; Mayaro; Grande Riviere, alongside lesser-visited locales such as Grand Chemin Beach and Culloden Bay.

Each examination of these 53 beaches and bays is conducted using thorough observations and detailed descriptions. Not only are the portraits of sea, sand and surf vividly photographed, but several of the treatments include fact boxes of information on indigenous coastal flora and fauna. Each beach spotlight is further outfitted with a handy key, denoting the presence (or absence) of amenities such as parking; safe swimming zones; lifeguard services; hiking trails and picnic facilities.

Formulated to both educate and inspire, one of Beaches and Bays significant touches is its use of inspiration panels: photographs of local beach settings with accompanying quotes that speak to the best of beach experiences. One such quote summarizes the spirit and intent that fuels such an indispensable publication:

“In every outthrust headland, in
every curving beach,
in every grain of sand there is the
story of the earth.”
Rachel Carson