Manzanilla Beach, Trinidad & Tobago

So did you guess it? Here amongst the preened-to-perfection sands which define much of the Caribbean’s primetime, honeymoon image, lies this rough diamond. Manzanilla Beach on Trinidad’s wildly rugged east coast is the tropical nonpareil, basking in its own unassuming, natural glory.

Lined by swaying palms and neck-craning craggy mountains, Manzanilla is a whopping 17 miles long, hemming the green tangled landscape of the lesser-known side of the island. Given the sheer space and untouched backdrop, it may just be you, and the odd wandering goat, soaking your toes (hooves) in the gently lapping waters.

Trinidad, with bucket loads of genuine Caribbean charm and grand colonial relics firmly breaks the faux-Caribbean island mould. And its magnificent Manzanilla takes the top spot for authentic, enchanting tropical sands.

We love it. Just as it is.

WHEN: Dec – June

WHAT TO PACK FOR OUR BEACH OF THE WEEK:
We’re on hand to guide you all the way to the water front. With a Marc Jacobs preppy straw beach bag and a playlist full of super chilled beach tunes (and a bit of Bob Marley for good measure), these are our must-have items for sunning yourself on this Trinidanian treasure…

the bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Preppy Straw Rosa tote

the swimwear: Undrest bikini

the playlist:
Vampire Weekend’s Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Florence and the Machine’s You Got the Love
The Mama’s and Papa’s California Dreamin’
Groove Armada’s At the River
Fleet Fox’s Mykonos
Miike Snow’s Animal
Snoop Dogs ft. Pharrell’s Beautiful
Kings of Leon’s On Call
Boy and Bear’s Mexican Mavis
Bob Marley and The Wailer’s Get Up, Stand Up
The Coasters’ Down in Mexico
Matthew and the Atlas’ I followed Fires

the products: DuWop’s butter rum lipbalm and Green People’s SPF25 sun lotion

the read: V.S. Naipaul’s House for Mr Biswas

Is this whetting your beach appetite?
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