Caroni Bird Sanctuary
Caroni Swamp, Trinidad, Trinidad
The scarlet ibis is the fiery-colored national bird of Trinidad and Tobago, and its daily flight home to roost at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary offers birdwatchers and nature lovers an outdoor experience unlike others in the Caribbean. Tour the mangrove swamps with a guide to learn about the area and see the ibis’s stunning plumage.
The Basics
Explore the country’s largest mangroves, wetlands, and waterways at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. Most guided tours include a leisurely cruise through the green mangroves and tidal lagoons of the swamp, as guides discuss the natural landscape and point out the residing fauna including iguanas, snakes, and caimans. Sunset tours end with a wait in the quiet dusk for the scarlet ibis’s return home to roost in the mangroves.
Things to Know Before You Go
Since many tours are timed for dusk, mosquitos are abundant. Be sure to cover up and bring any necessary repellants to fully enjoy the avian show.
Children must be accompanied by an adult and are urged to remain quiet while the ibis’s roost in the mangroves.
Tours are not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
How to Get There
Some tours offer hotel pick-up and transfers. The wetlands are situated in a bay approximately 30-minutes by car from Port of Spain on Trinidad’s northwest coast.
When to Get There
Departure times vary by tour, though most leave in the late afternoon to coordinate with the ibis’s arrival back to the sanctuary. Visit Trinidad and Tobago during the dry season (January through May) for optimal weather.
Explore Port of Spain
Port of Spain hosts the country’s annual, world-famous Carnival, and this capital city blends its vibrant past with modern urbanity. Many travelers use this buzzing locale as a base before exploring the island of Trinidad. Take a city tour to get oriented, choose a food-focused tour to sample tasty street food, or find the time for a stop at the lush botanical gardens.
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