Store Bay is one of the best beaches in Tobago. This lively beach in the Crown Point area is the island’s most popular spot, loved for its easy access, soft sand, and clear blue water. It’s a two-minute walk from ANR Robinson International Airport. To explore beyond the beach, it’s best to rent a car. Driving lets you visit nearby beaches, local restaurants, and scenic attractions. The main roads around Crown Point are smooth and well-maintained, and free parking is available near the beach. This Store Bay travel guide will help you see everything and get the most out of your trip.
Store Bay is located on Tobago’s southwest coast. The beach stretches about 210 metres and slopes gently into the sea. The blue-green water is calm most days, perfect for swimming and light wading. The soft sand is comfortable underfoot, and waves reach around 40 centimetres high, which is gentle enough for families with small children. Lifeguards are on duty between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and lockers, and they close at 5 p.m. Beach chairs and umbrellas can be rented, and shaded areas under sea grape trees provide a break from the sun. Entry to the beach is free, but there’s a small fee for using the facilities.
Store Bay stays lively all year, but weather and crowd levels change with the season. The dry season, from December to April, is the most popular time to visit. During these months, temperatures stay between 26°C and 30°C, and rain is rare. This is when the sea is calmest and clearest, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and photography. It’s also the busiest season, so arrive early to find a good spot.
From May to November, Tobago’s wet season brings higher humidity and short tropical showers. These months are less crowded, which is ideal for quieter travel. The rain usually comes in brief bursts, so you can still enjoy sunny hours most days. Budget travellers often find better hotel and car rental rates during this time. The best hours to visit are early morning or late afternoon. You’ll avoid the midday heat and see the beach at its most peaceful.
Whether you plan to swim, relax, or wait for your flight, Store Bay offers everything you need for a smooth visit. Here are the top things to do in Store Bay:
The calm, blue-green water and soft sand make Store Bay ideal for swimming and relaxing. The waves are gentle, about 40 centimetres high, and the sea floor drops about 65 centimetres in one area. Families with children can enjoy the shallow zones close to shore, while stronger swimmers can move toward deeper water. As one of the busiest beaches on the island, Store Bay always has a lively atmosphere. Still, mornings and late afternoons are the best times for peaceful swimming and sunset views.
Store Bay is a great place to go if you like snorkelling and diving. Many spots are easy to get to. Fish like to swim close to shore, especially near the rocky edges of the bay. The nearby Kariwak Reef is a great place for beginners to try snorkeling without taking a long boat ride. There is a local center where you can rent diving gear and buy diving packages. They also set up kayak tours for people who want to stay above the water. Even people who don't snorkel often can see small coral patches and colorful sea creatures just a few meters from the beach.
Store Bay is one of the main departure points for boat tours in Tobago. From here, you can join a glass-bottom boat tour to Buccoo Reef, Nylon Pool, and No Man’s Land. These tours usually leave around 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. from Booth 15 near the main walkway. During these trips, you’ll see coral formations and tropical fish through the clear boat glass. The tours last several hours and often include stops for snorkelling or swimming in shallow sandbanks.
Store Bay has water sports options like jet skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The calm bay is a safe environment for beginners. During August, the beach becomes the focus of the Great Race, Tobago’s annual powerboat competition that attracts spectators from all over the region. Outside event season, you can see plenty of local activity along the shore. Beach vendors rent equipment; the sea is usually calm enough for light kayaking.
One of the main things to do in Store Bay is to eat like a local. The beach is surrounded by food stalls where you can try Tobago’s most beloved dishes. The most famous is the curried crab and dumplings, a signature meal that reflects the island’s rich flavour and culture. You can also enjoy bake and shark, a crispy fried fish sandwich filled with spices, or pelau, a mix of rice, meat, and vegetables cooked in caramelised sugar.
The open-air food area near the beach offers a wide range of Caribbean dishes, all freshly prepared and full of local flavour. It’s the perfect place to sit under the shade, enjoy the sea breeze, and savour Tobago’s traditional cooking. Beyond main meals, Store Bay is known for its sweet and savoury snacks. You’ll find vendors selling red mango, fudge, and benet sticks.
Before you leave, take some time to check out Store Bay's local shops. The area around the beach facility has long been a center for Tobago's craft community. There are about 35 vendors near the beach, and each one sells one-of-a-kind handmade items. Stalls sell beach wraps, handmade jewelry, wooden carvings, and bright paintings that are inspired by Tobago's landscapes and traditions. A lot of these artists use natural materials like coconut shells, calabash, and wood from the area to make beautiful and long-lasting works of art from simple raw materials.
One of the most significant annual events here is the Great Race, a powerboat competition that ends at Store Bay every August. Thousands of people gather to watch the colourful boats arrive from Trinidad. Another unique feature of Store Bay is plane-spotting. The beach is only a few minutes from the airport, so you can see aircraft fly low as they land and take off. Many travellers enjoy taking photos of the planes gliding above the turquoise water, adding a special touch to the visit.
Before you explore Store Bay, it helps to know a few practical tips to make your visit smooth and enjoyable. Here are some tips before going to Store Bay:
Store Bay is one of those places that perfectly captures the spirit of Tobago. You can swim in clear blue water, enjoy tasty island food, shop for local crafts, and watch stunning sunsets. Store Bay offers something special for everyone, whether you want to relax by the sea, take a boat to Buccoo Reef, or watch planes glide over the bay.
To make your journey easy, rent a car in Tobago with Final Rentals and pick up your vehicle at Robinson International Airport. Choose from compact cars or spacious SUVs, perfect for exploring beaches, towns, and scenic roads at your own pace. Final Rentals makes renting a car easy, smooth, and reliable with instant booking, free cancellation, and no hidden fees. For extra convenience, you can also download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
