The sand on Trinidad's beaches is darker in color than places like Anguilla and Grand Cayman. That doesn't mean the sand is dirty, as some people think. It's only a different composition.

And there's a big plus to darker sand: It doesn't produce as much glare.

Sunday is beach day for many Trinidadians, so the sand do get crowded then. However, that's also the day all the food stands are set up.

Even if you don't get in the water, it's worth a trip to Maracas Beach for a lunch of bake and shark.

Chagville Beach

Located about 15 minutes from Port-of-Spain in Chaguaramas at Carenage Bay, opposite the Convention Centre. This 1,800-foot long man-made beach is popular for wind surfing. Facilities include changing rooms, showers and toilets. No lifeguards

Maracas Beach

About 45 minutes from Port-of-Spain, this is the most popular beach on the north coast. Over 5,000 feet long, it's popular for surfing and a good family beach with lifeguards daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Red flags warn when swimming is unsafe. Facilities include tables, benches, changing rooms with showers, toilets and lockers.

On weekends vendors provide a variety of dishes, the most popular is bake & shark, a fish sandwich where you add all the trimmings laid out like a smorgasbord.

Las Cuevas

More sheltered and calmer than Maracas, Las Cuevas is located east of Tyrico, about an hour from Port-of-Spain. Its name comes from the Spanish word for caves and indeed there are many caves on this beach.

Facilities at the top of the cliffs include changing rooms with showers and toilets, snack bar, tables, benches. Lifeguards normally present between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Manzanilla Bay

This long beach with fine brown sand is 1.5 hours from Port-of-Spain along the East Coast Road. Lifeguards usually on duty. Facilities include changing rooms with showers and toilets, snack bar and picnic tables.

Mayaro Bay

Trinidad 's longest beach, Mayaro Bay is a little over two hours from Port-of-Spain on the East Coast. Lifeguards are present from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (up to 6 pm during summer vacation). Guesthouses and small hotels along the beach. Stay in the designated swimming area.

Vessigny

This is one of the most distant beaches, about 2 hours from Port-of-Spain and two miles south of La Brea and the Pitch Lake, west of Vessigny village. The water is usually calm but affected by runoff. It's cleanest during the dry season. Facilities include changing rooms with showers and toilets, campground and snack bar. No lifeguards.

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