Goat Island

Long before Goat Island became a quiet silhouette off Speyside, this small rocky cay had already watched centuries of arrivals and departures between Tobago and Little Tobago.

In Amerindian times, the Kalinago used its surrounding waters for fishing and temporary landings. European powers contested Tobago for over 250 years, yet the islet itself remained mostly unnoticed, just a rocky outcrop valued for its rich coral gardens.

In the 20th century, it became private American property, then was bought by Tobagonian businessman I.T. McLeod after World War II. The only house on the island, a West Indian-style villa, still stands today. (The old story that Ian Fleming once lived there has been thoroughly debunked.)

In 2006, the Tobago House of Assembly purchased the island to keep it under local control and protect the reefs. Today it remains uninhabited, while Angel Reef and Japanese Gardens continue to draw divers from around the world.

A small, steadfast island that once sheltered canoes, later became a private retreat, and now rests as a quiet, protected corner of northeast Tobago.

Photo by @lemniscate

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