×

Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇹 | beachesMacqueripe BayZip line, sheltered Caribbean cove, ridge trail, wartime bunker | things to do and best time to go

Explore Mayaro BeachExplore Grande Riviere Beach

Backpacking in Macqueripe Bay
👌 Worth visitingbeach ranked #11
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Macqueripe Bay sits in a sheltered cove on the north side of the Chaguaramas peninsula, facing the Caribbean, so the water is usually calm enough for a relaxed dip rather than board-and-barrel surf. It lies in the northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, past Chaguaramas, down a road that twists through forest. The sand is small, tidy and shaded by trees, and snorkeling over the rocky edges is decent when the water is clear. Weekends bring families and loud speakers, weekdays bring almost nobody. Food is basic, mostly snack vendors, and the bay is a taxi or car job. Arrive early, swim, walk the trail above the cove, and let the zip line screams provide your soundtrack.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Trinidad and Tobago Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #11 beach in Trinidad and TobagoReasons people choose to visit here

Macqueripe Bay beach earns its stop because it packs a forested cove, a cliff trail and a small zip line park into one compact bay on the northwest peninsula. The beach is sheltered, so the water stays gentle compared with the rougher beaches farther east on the north coast, which makes it an easy first swim after a long haul to the island. You can snorkel along the rocky margins, then climb to the old lookout paths for views over the Caribbean toward the Bocas islands. It also works as a break from Port of Spain, close enough for a half day yet green enough to feel like a different island. Weekdays are quiet, and locals who show up are quick with directions and food advice.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Macqueripe Bay

  1. Macqueripe Bay Zip Line: Strung over the forest above the bay, this is the activity the place is best known for. You get a canopy-level view of the cove and the sea, and the brief rush is better than the price suggests.
  2. Swimming in the Cove: The sheltered water stays calm most days, with a gentle slope and a sandy bottom. It is one of the easier swims on the island for nervous swimmers.
  3. Snorkeling the Rocky Edges: Rock outcrops at the sides of the bay hold small reef fish when the water is clear. Bring your own mask, and go early before swimmers stir up the sand.
  4. Macqueripe Bay Trail: A walking trail climbs through forest above the beach to lookout points with views across the water to the Bocas islands. Expect shade, steady uphill steps and birdsong.
  5. Wartime bunker: An abandoned two-level concrete
… read more 👉
  1. Macqueripe Bay Zip Line: Strung over the forest above the bay, this is the activity the place is best known for. You get a canopy-level view of the cove and the sea, and the brief rush is better than the price suggests.
  2. Swimming in the Cove: The sheltered water stays calm most days, with a gentle slope and a sandy bottom. It is one of the easier swims on the island for nervous swimmers.
  3. Snorkeling the Rocky Edges: Rock outcrops at the sides of the bay hold small reef fish when the water is clear. Bring your own mask, and go early before swimmers stir up the sand.
  4. Macqueripe Bay Trail: A walking trail climbs through forest above the beach to lookout points with views across the water to the Bocas islands. Expect shade, steady uphill steps and birdsong.
  5. Wartime bunker: An abandoned two-level concrete bunker from the Second World War US base still stands, gutted and mossy, good for a short wander.
Start with the zip line first thing in the morning, because the queue is short, the light is soft and you can spend the rest of the day swimming without the excitement hanging over you.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Macqueripe Bay

The Grand Circle 12-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

The Grand Circle 12-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

5.0(397)
From €363
per personViator
Hidden Gem: Avocat Waterfall Hike & Beach Stop in Trinidad

Hidden Gem: Avocat Waterfall Hike & Beach Stop in Trinidad

5.0(51) 8h
From €124
per personViator
Fun Fishing Tour (Snacks & Light Refreshments Offered)

Fun Fishing Tour (Snacks & Light Refreshments Offered)

5.0(29) 3h 30m
From €136
per personViator
Snorkel, Spearfish & Seafood Adventure, Trinidad

Snorkel, Spearfish & Seafood Adventure, Trinidad

5.0(28) 6h
From €91
per personViator
Saturday Markets & Brunch Tour

Saturday Markets & Brunch Tour

5.0(21) 3h
From €58
per personViator
Around the Island

Around the Island

5.0(15) 8h
From €118
per personViator
Mountain Village Adventure

Mountain Village Adventure

5.0(14) 4h
From €80
per personViator
The Grand Circle 24-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

The Grand Circle 24-Hour All-Inclusive Island Experience

5.0(12) 24h
From €354
per personViator
Trinidad Airport Transfer To Port of Spain hotel's or AirB&B

Trinidad Airport Transfer To Port of Spain hotel's or AirB&B

5.0(10) 1h
From €35
per personViator
Fishing Experience in Buccoo

Fishing Experience in Buccoo

5.0(8) 3h 30m
From €263
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (January to May): Calm, clear water and the best visibility for the bay. Days run 24 to 32°C (75 to 90°F), with about 11.5 to 12.5 hours of daylight. Weekends fill with Port of Spain families.
  • Wet Season (June to December): Afternoon downpours and murkier water, with temperatures of 23 to 31°C (73 to 88°F). The beach is quiet midweek and the hillside forest road is greener.
  • Carnival Weeks (February or March): Port of Spain accommodation climbs, and taxis cost more.
  • Public Holidays: Expect crowds and loud music, especially on Easter weekend and August 1.
Go on a weekday morning, when the sand is nearly empty and the zip line park is quiet.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: good for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: below average for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
trinidad-and-tobago-beach-macqueripe-bay
© Google |

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutTrinidad and Tobago Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Trinidad and Tobago
The digital guide (222 pages) contains:
✅ 58 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 2, 3 & 5-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ Local customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Port of Spain is the best base for Macqueripe Bay beach, roughly 30 to 45 minutes away by car depending on traffic, with guesthouses and small inns from about US$40 to 90 a night. Look at the Woodbrook and St. Ann’s neighborhoods. Woodbrook has the best restaurants, bars and street food, and it is where solo travelers tend to meet others over a late dinner. It is also easy to get shared taxis and maxi vans from there. St. Ann’s is quieter and greener, a good pick if you want sleep and a short ride out. Chaguaramas, closer to the bay, has marinas and a few apartment rentals, and suits sailors and … read more 👉
Port of Spain is the best base for Macqueripe Bay beach, roughly 30 to 45 minutes away by car depending on traffic, with guesthouses and small inns from about US$40 to 90 a night. Look at the Woodbrook and St. Ann’s neighborhoods. Woodbrook has the best restaurants, bars and street food, and it is where solo travelers tend to meet others over a late dinner. It is also easy to get shared taxis and maxi vans from there. St. Ann’s is quieter and greener, a good pick if you want sleep and a short ride out. Chaguaramas, closer to the bay, has marinas and a few apartment rentals, and suits sailors and anyone with a car. Nothing sits right on the sand, so plan on day-tripping. Book ahead around Carnival, when Woodbrook fills early. Stay on the Port of Spain side, since evening transport out to the bay is thin.
Best hostels in Trinidad and Tobago


Best quality hotels in Trinidad and Tobago

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Macqueripe Bay is a sheltered, well-run beach, and most days the water is calm enough for relaxed swimming. Waves build in the wet season and during swells from the Caribbean, so watch the surf for a few minutes before wading in. Lifeguards are normally on duty in daylight hours, and locals swim near them. Sea urchins and rocks can be a nuisance at the edges of the bay, so wear water shoes there. The sun is strong from mid-morning, so bring shade and reef-safe sunscreen. Keep valuables to a minimum, since car break-ins and unattended bags can be an issue in the parking area. Leave before dusk, as taxis are scarce after dark.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Macqueripe Bay beach is about 30 to 45 minutes by car from Port of Spain along the Western Main Road to Chaguaramas and then the hillside Tucker Valley road. Without a car, take a maxi taxi or route taxi from Port of Spain to Carenage or Chaguaramas (about US$1 to 2), then a private taxi for the last stretch, usually US$10 to 20. A taxi round trip from Port of Spain with waiting time typically costs US$35 to 60, so sharing helps.
Macqueripe Bay beach is good for swimming, especially in the dry season from January to May when the water is calm and clear. Snorkeling is possible near the rocky edges, though visibility drops after heavy rain. Surfing is not a draw because the bay is sheltered. Bring water shoes for the rocks and urchins, and swim in the lifeguarded section.
Macqueripe Bay beach has no entrance fee, though parking and facilities may carry small charges of around US$1 to 3. Changing rooms, showers and lockers are typically cheap, and food vendors sell drinks and snacks for a few dollars. The adjacent zip line experience is separate and costs roughly US$35 to 60. Carry cash in the local currency, since vendors may not take cards.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Trinidadian and Tobagonian beaches near Macqueripe Bay

Explore more nearby:

  • Maracas Bay—Bake and shark, big rolling waves, Maracas Lookout, waterfall hike| 21 km away
  • Las Cuevas Beach—Tan sand arc, lifeguards, pirogues, fried fish stalls| 25 km away
  • Blanchisseuse Beach—Marianne River mouth, dark sand, Paria Coastal Trail, forest edge| 36 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Trinidad and Tobago including Macqueripe Bay and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all beaches

Or checkout all Trinidad and Tobago has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Trinidad and Tobago
Country photo of Trinidad and Tobago
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Macqueripe Bay beach fits neatly into a day along the Chaguaramas peninsula, paired with a boat trip toward the Bocas islands or a slow lunch back in Chaguaramas. I would go on a weekday, bring water shoes for the rocks, and carry cash for snacks and the zip line.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Trinidad and Tobago. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story