The Tobago holiday guide. Written by tourists for tourists.

For a tiny island Tobago has a wonderful calendar of cultural, sporting and fun activities throughout the year. From Buccoo's famous goat and crab racing day, Carnival, of course, food festivals and fishing tournaments - to prestigious regattas and golfing championships. The wonder is how it all fits into one small island. If you want peace and quiet on your holiday, then you might want to avoid the Carnival season!

January

Carnival season starts. Carnival in Tobago is a much smaller affair than Trinidad's, but taken just as seriously. In January you'll see children busy making their costumes and rehearsing their dances in their back yards with the big build up to Carnival.

February

Carnival season continues.

Tobago Carnival Regatta. 24th-26th. A fabulous annual event to watch or take part in - for more info www.sailweek.com

20th and 21st Carnival real is over two days of music and mayhem on the Monday and Tuesday before Lent. The island closes down and just throbs with music and dance.

March

Tobago Game Fishing Tournament. Charlotteville. 28th - 31st March. A well organised weekend event staged at Charlotteville, growing in popularity. Website: www.tgft.com

April

Crab and Goat Racing. Yes, really. Takes place in Buccoo on Easter Tuesday, and has to be seen to be believed. The goats are accompanied by jockeys who run alongside them, and the crabs are guided toward the chequered flag with bits of string.

Tobago Jazz Experience - 21st - 29th

May

1st Mar to 31st Aug - Leatherback Watching in Tobago

30th - Indian Arrival Day

30th to 3rd Jun. - Third Annual National Open Long Course Championships (Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago - ASATT ... website at www.swimtt.com)

June

1st Mar to 31st Aug - Leatherback Watching in Tobago

3rd - Bloody Bay Fest

10th - Roxborough Harvest Fest

17th - Lambeau Harvest Fest

29th to 1st-Jul - Charlotteville Fisherman Festival @ Charlotteville

July

1st Mar to 31st Aug - Leatherback Watching in Tobago

29th Jun to 1st-Jul - Charlotteville Fisherman Festival @ Charlotteville

1st - Castara Harvest Fest

2nd - St Peter's Day (Fisherman's Fete)

16th to 1st Aug. - Tobago Heritage Festival

22nd to 29th - Tobago Underwater Carnival 2012. For more information visit: http://www.tobagounderwatercarnival.com

25th to 29th - Great Fete Weekend in Tobago.

Info: www.visittobago.gov.tt

August

1st Mar to 31st Aug - Leatherback Watching in Tobago

16th Jul to 1st Aug - Tobago Heritage Festival

5th - Speyside Harvest Fest

Great Race from Pier 1 Chaguaramas to Store Bay, Tobago

September

Tobago International Cycling Classic. www.trinbagowheelers.com

October

Tobago International Cycling Classic. Attracts cyclists from all over the world in an event that covers the whole of the island.

World Food Day Exhibition.

November

Diwali. Festival of Lights celebrated by the Tobago Hindu community.

Eid-Ul-Fitr. Marks the end of Ramadan. Tobago has a multi-cultural society and this Muslim festival is just one of many for those of different faiths on the island.

December

Christmas. Without the snow and tinsel but just as jolly. The island is usually full to capacity at this time of year.