Macqueripe Bay- Tucker Valley (Trinidad)

Macqueripe Bay- Tucker Valley (Trinidad)

Last weekend my friends and I spent an entire day exploring the north-western tip of Trinidad. Our early-morning route took us through the outskirts of the island’s capital, Port of Spain. Typically, these roads are normally gridlocked, but this early on a Sunday morning, they were pleasingly quiet. We drove on, past the city, and joined the coast road to Chaguaramas. Our drive continued along Williams Bay, a wide cove with a very narrow strip of pebbly beach overhung by a concrete boardwalk. The area was already packed with Trinidadians enjoying the sunshine and swimming. 

We turned off the coast road to drive through Tucker Valley to Trinidad’s north coast. This area is all national park and is maintained by the Chaguaramas Development Authority. The scenery is certainly lush and beautiful. The road is exclusively shared with riders, walkers, joggers and other patrons, so please be particularly careful when on this road... 

Share the Road!

We continued right to the end of the road at Macqueripe Beach. We paid our $20TT to park and went to have a look. Our Rough Guide describes it as ‘a gorgeous spot’. This is somewhat of an overstatement, I feel! The beach, such as it is, is accessed via wooden fenced steps which zig-zag down to a concrete area behind the bay.

As we were descending, people were shouting out warnings to us about how slippy the steps were. They were right, and it was no use hanging on to the hand rail as this was flimsy, badly fitted and unlikely to support your weight if you fell! The area to either side of the steps is landscaped.

The water in this small bay is normally clear and calm, with a drop in the seabed upon entry. However, between November and April the water can become rough.This recently developed area is well equipped with beach facilities which provide multiple conveniences for visitors, which include huts, restroom facilities and ample parking. Activities here also include bike riding, zip-lining and a children’s play park. This area is ideal for families and picnics.