caroni lagoon national park

To explore an eco system by travelling through it on boat gives you an amazing insight and flavour of life in a mangrove swamp. I could see this could get a tad busy but lots of unused boats when we have been here. Well worth the trip

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.

1) Wear bug spray...you don't want to get that funky Carribean disease from mosquitos2) Wear pants. Don't be the guy wearing shorts and getting bit from mosquitos.3) Did you follow step 1? In that case the trip will be fun!Highlights: 1) 1 dead iguana floating in the water2) 1 snake curled up in a tree3) All the birds congregating togethe on one island at the end of the tripEnjoy!

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!

We made it just in time for the 4pm boat trip to see the Scarlet Ibis (Trinidad's National bird). Minutes into the boat ride our guide stopped to explain the difference between the 4 types of mangrove (red, brown, white & mushroom). A short distance further along he spotted an alligator lurking at the edge of the river course. We could just make out the head in between the mangrove roots, then we spotted a snake (Cook's Tree Boa) twisted around the branch of a tree just above our heads!As we motored further along into the swamp we began to see more and more Scarlet Ibises flying in the same general direction. About 1 hour into the trip we arrived at the island where the Ibises were heading for the night and we watched in awe as they flew in their thousands to land on the branches of the trees. What a phenomenal sight! The vibrant colour of the ibises in the trees looked like beautiful, scarlet blossoms, dotted with the white of the egrets and the blue of the herons. Fabulous! We can definitely recommend this trip.

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.

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.

loved every bit of the Trip the guide Sean knew his stuff and he had an eye for things that most of us missed on the boat ride into the swamp. we got to see snakes ant eaters and various birds that would have missed us if our guide did not know what to look for. the highlight of the trip is at the end of the ride where the scarlet ibis birds comes in to nest what a beautiful sight.

Maybe it is my failing eyes, maybe it was a bad day, but I expected to see more in the swamp. The boat ride was pleasant, the guide friendly and knowlegdable; saw some birds and reptiles (in the distance). The Scarlet Ibis were the highlight - beautiful.

A not to be missed experience. Arrived just in time for the last boat. Motored through swamps and rainforests with snakes hanging from trees. Opened up to lake with Scarlet Ibis coving the sky flocking to their roosting trees. What a spectacle of flowing pink.

I was on a trip with Caligo Ventures at the Asa Wright Nature Centre and a guide took us to Caroni one afternoon. Riverboat guide was great and knowledgable. Amazing wildlife, and the scarlet ibis nesting grounds are spectacular. You might also see some tree boas, tree crabs, and silky anteaters.

If you go to Trinidad this is a must. The sight go the scarlet Ibises coming into roost is one you will never forget.

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!

I'm not a missive bird watcher, but this was definitely a fantastic way to spend a few hours. First you go out on a swamp 'tour' which is interesting and then you tie up and settle in to watch the Ibis come to nest at dusk. Just as you start to worry that they won't come and you are starting to get a little fidgety they will appear and that is when the trip really becomes great value. I don't think it matters that much with company you go with, they all seem to be similar in price and watch from the same place. It is so peaceful yet so close to Port of Spain.

As keen birders we booked a private boat trip with Lester. Excellent bird guide and we found our target bird - the common pottoo - as well as many others. The scarlet ibis evening spectacular is just that. If you have a choice find a date when high tide occurs before sunset - otherwise the birds come in to roost as the light is fading