Caroni Lagoon National Park
Caroni Lagoon National Park
4.5
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This new national park was recently commissioned to help preserve Trinidad's wildlife.
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4.5
41 reviews
Excellent
29
Very good
8
Average
3
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0
Terrible
1
Prof_Leone
West Barnstable, MA37 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
The vast Caroni Swamp is like a Louisiana bayou, with dense mangroves divided by narrow waterways opening to expansive open waters and islands populated by every imaginable type of wildlife. Caimans (alligators), tree crabs that climb mangrove shoots like little spiders, blue crabs than disappear quickly into holes and, very oddly, no bugs (until after sunset by the dock).
The boat carried us out to a spot in the shade behind a mangrove thicket, with the setting sun behind us. About 400 yards before us thick green island rose abruptly from the warm, still water. Every evening as the sun sets, the Ibis return here from the day's wide-ranging rounds to roost. Safe from predators, this island has been home to both the white and scarlet ibis since time immemorial.
At first there appear only random white ibis, skimming inches from the surface to rise into a desired perch. They waste no time looking around. They fly in and roost, ones and twos at first. Then in squadrons of ten or twenty, they appear from within the mangroves from the great perimeter of the vast preserve. In the bright, low light they are indiscernible at a distance from the blinding ripples of the waters, like a incandescent mirage. From all point of the compass, those which are not merely tricks of the eye reveal themselves, and the entire visible plane of light becomes a vortex of commuting ibis-isms, appearing en mass as bright sparks amid the dark green island dome. Yet it is only the first 'story' lit up by the white ibis' squawking reunion from the belt line down to the mangrove roots. The top tier of the island is empty.
And then the fireworks begin. An explosion of Scarlet Ibis appears from behind the island, like Sicilian confetti. The sun, by now low enough to reflect the most eye-piercing scarlet hues as the larger red cousins glide victory laps above the verdant dome, as if to demonstrate discerning tastes while choosing the priciest perches. Wayward whites too high on the trees leap to lower perches as the larger red wings beat the bush.
Again and again from the great perimeter, against a backdrop of lush mountains sharply defined by the setting sun, appear flocks of scarlet brethren, flying high above the mangroves, but beneath the skyline. Barely visible from a distance, hundreds suddenly hit the mottled swaths of light and suddenly appear brazenly from the camouflage, converging upon the vortex from all directions, like the replacement of water rushing together for the splash. The island dome is all at once a Christmas tree of green, white and scarlet red as the sun crosses below the horizon. The sparks of light settle into secluded roosts and the fireworks' grand finale recedes into the night, and the boats themselves stream home to dock.
At morning's first light, the latent splash release again the explosion of confetti toward parts unknown to begin again.
The boat carried us out to a spot in the shade behind a mangrove thicket, with the setting sun behind us. About 400 yards before us thick green island rose abruptly from the warm, still water. Every evening as the sun sets, the Ibis return here from the day's wide-ranging rounds to roost. Safe from predators, this island has been home to both the white and scarlet ibis since time immemorial.
At first there appear only random white ibis, skimming inches from the surface to rise into a desired perch. They waste no time looking around. They fly in and roost, ones and twos at first. Then in squadrons of ten or twenty, they appear from within the mangroves from the great perimeter of the vast preserve. In the bright, low light they are indiscernible at a distance from the blinding ripples of the waters, like a incandescent mirage. From all point of the compass, those which are not merely tricks of the eye reveal themselves, and the entire visible plane of light becomes a vortex of commuting ibis-isms, appearing en mass as bright sparks amid the dark green island dome. Yet it is only the first 'story' lit up by the white ibis' squawking reunion from the belt line down to the mangrove roots. The top tier of the island is empty.
And then the fireworks begin. An explosion of Scarlet Ibis appears from behind the island, like Sicilian confetti. The sun, by now low enough to reflect the most eye-piercing scarlet hues as the larger red cousins glide victory laps above the verdant dome, as if to demonstrate discerning tastes while choosing the priciest perches. Wayward whites too high on the trees leap to lower perches as the larger red wings beat the bush.
Again and again from the great perimeter, against a backdrop of lush mountains sharply defined by the setting sun, appear flocks of scarlet brethren, flying high above the mangroves, but beneath the skyline. Barely visible from a distance, hundreds suddenly hit the mottled swaths of light and suddenly appear brazenly from the camouflage, converging upon the vortex from all directions, like the replacement of water rushing together for the splash. The island dome is all at once a Christmas tree of green, white and scarlet red as the sun crosses below the horizon. The sparks of light settle into secluded roosts and the fireworks' grand finale recedes into the night, and the boats themselves stream home to dock.
At morning's first light, the latent splash release again the explosion of confetti toward parts unknown to begin again.
Written 15 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warwick C
Brisbane, Australia225 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
The West coast of Trinidad is deeply indented to form the Gulf of Paria, and the coast of this for 40 km. is a huge mangrove swamp 5 to 10 km. wide that is now a national park. We were driven to the Caroni Bird Park where we boarded broad flat bottom boats and slowly cruised the channels of the swamp to see birds (egrets mainly), snakes and even a tiny ant eater.
Eventually we reached a large mudflat with a thickly forested island in the centre into which vast numbers of crimson ibis were descending. This was the particular attraction of the park, and it was very impressive. The ibis live up to their name and are the most brilliant crimson imaginable, and as they flocked in their hundreds overhead the setting sun caught their colour beautifully, and after roosting in the trees it appeared that there were huge crimson flowers in the forest.
Eventually we reached a large mudflat with a thickly forested island in the centre into which vast numbers of crimson ibis were descending. This was the particular attraction of the park, and it was very impressive. The ibis live up to their name and are the most brilliant crimson imaginable, and as they flocked in their hundreds overhead the setting sun caught their colour beautifully, and after roosting in the trees it appeared that there were huge crimson flowers in the forest.
Written 29 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jsm317
Ocala, FL132 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
This is mostly about birds, although other wildlife is certainly present. We were here for birds and especially the scarlet ibis. Its a glorious sight, watching thousands of bright red ibis coming in to roost accompanied by many others, mostly snowy egrets. Our guide was Lester, and he is excellent at spotting things and helping you find them. I would recommend carrying even a small pair of binoculars to get the most out of this visit.
Written 25 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lenny1995
London, UK30 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
Excellent trip throught the Caroni Swamp. The spectacle of the Scarlet Ibis is one of the most beautiful sights ever, Definitely worth the trip.
Written 16 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisey
Chelsea, Canada566 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
I was with a group of 20 birders and we all really enjoyed our leisurely boat ride along the waterways. Our guides were excellent at spotting birds and wildlife. This included many bird species including a Potoo, Tropical Screech-Owl as well as a Tree Boa. The climax was the Scarlet Ibis "show" as they arrived by the 100's coming into roost along with some Tri-colored Herons. There was a total of approx 1700 Scarlet Ibises. Really enjoyable tour with excellent guides.
Written 6 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
quinde42
Winnipeg, Canada57 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
The highlight of any birding trip to the Caribbean is a late afternoon boat trip through this mangrove swamp. On the way to the ibis roosting island our guides pointed out caiman, a tree boa, a porcupine, and other marsh denizens. But to experience the return of thousands of scarlet ibises, plus hundreds of white egrets and blue herons to their nightly roosting spot is a lifetime achievement. Spectacular.
Written 31 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chrisrog
london43 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
The boat trip into the swamps was interesting but the hilight is at the end with the streams of birds approaching high overhead from far away in the distance before swooping down to their island roosting spots - totally awsome!
Written 27 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cutiemichelle
Trinidad27 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The history and the lecture about this sanctuary for birds is interesting.What a sight to behold when all the Scarlrt ibis comes in at sunset and fills a tree with a bright pink.
Written 19 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian P
New York City, NY31 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Hopped into the boat with about twenty other passengers and headed into the swamp with our worthy guide. There actually was not very much fauna to see but much flora. We were shown some tiny crabs which we were told make for some good eating by the birds. We saw a snake coiled up on a tree above us which we were told was waiting for the hapless bird. Unfortunately we did not see an alligator which I was hoping to observe. When we got to the main part of the swamp, which I thought was huge, we were able to see the scarlet ibis and the white egrets which were turning in for the night. I thought it was worth the visit.
Written 5 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Layces
United Kingdom141 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
The boat trip through the swamp revealed a great many bird species as well as snakes and the extraordinary 4-eyed fish. The icing on the cake was just before dusk when flocks of scarlet ibis fly in to roost for the night. Unmissable!
Written 6 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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