Full of Energy: Tobago Carnival 2024 Review

For the third year, The Tobago House of Assembly hosted a week of events for the Tobago Carnival 2024, Monarchs of Mas, Soca Titans, a Carnival event for kids, ending with a Parade of the Bands on Sunday, October 27. Here’s my full Tobago Carnival 2024 review.

Tobago Carnival 2024 Band Registration and Costume Distribution

For Tobago Carnival 2024, I played pretty mas with Fog Angels, which had a theme of Cocktails & Bacchanal. My section was Mai Tai, designed by Anya Elias and marketed by Entice Mas, based in Atlanta.

Fog Angels had the option to customize your costume. While it included a jeweled Wire Bra, hammock-style panty, and a Jeweled headpiece, I added jeweled body pieces (Neck/Shoulder/Upper Arms/Upper Legs) and a feathered tail for an additional fee.

After spending the night at the Hilton Trinidad, my cousin and I flew from Trinidad to Tobago and immediately went to Magdalena Grand Resort to pick up my costume. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available yet, so we headed to Lal’s Roti Shop in Scarborough before checking into our hotel at Bacolet Beach Club.

We returned to Magdalena Grand Resort later that evening for my costume, minus the feathered tail. I eventually got it on Saturday night. I also received my wristband, cup, and goodie bag, which included snacks like chips, granola bars, and tea.

One of my cousins decided to play mas with me and had a different experience. She chose the Tipsy Bartender section, which was supposed to be a VIP section, but received less than VIP treatment. Not only did she wait all night to get her costume, but it wasn’t ready until the day of the parade, and she didn’t receive all the pieces.

Sadly, this was the same story for many other masqueraders in this section. My only hope is that Fog Angels will vet the designers and section leaders next year before agreeing to work with them, to ensure a more seamless costume distribution.

Tobago Carnival 2024 Fetes

Our first fete for Tobago Carnival was Payntin’ Bago, a breakfast fete in Pigeon Point. We arrived around 5 AM and left before it ended at 8 or 9 AM. The fete included paint, powder, and water, with live performances by Lady Lava and Father Philis, and we had a good time. Before going to the beach in Pigeon Point, we collected our bake and shark breakfast. There was also an option for bake and saltfish.

We didn’t attend, but we heard music and performances from FAWW!!! #F___AwayWithWork, when leaving Pigeon Point, and some friends attended Nirvana at Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort on Saturday with live performances by Kes and Erphaan Alves.

On Saturday night, we went to Sunset Soca on the Beach with Lady Lava, and I ended the Carnival weekend by going to Las Lap with Iwer George, Nailah Blackman, and other local performers.

@msjoannae Tobago Carnival Part 2 #tobagocarnival #tobagocarnival2024 #joannaetravels #tobago #traveltiktok #tiktoktravel #visittobago #joannaeintnt #caribbeantiktok #carnivaltiktok ♬ Ring Finger – Lady Lava

Tobago Carnival 2024 J’ouvert

As it was last year, Tobago Carnival’s j’ouvert was in Scarborough. We started moving with Fog Angels, which had two music trucks, at about 5 AM and stayed primarily between the Fog Angels trucks and the Tobago Carnival bus.

Once we left the highway, we followed Bago Limers. This band had good vibes and a water hose, and I enjoyed jumping up with them. Having played j’ouvert every year since 2022, 2024 was my best experience.

After turning onto Milford Road, we watched the other bands pass before heading to Buccoo Beach. We checked out of the Bacolet Beach Club and headed to Le Grand Courland Spa Resort, where my cousin stayed for the rest of her trip, while I checked into my Airbnb in Crown Point.

@msjoannae J’ouvert morning in Tobago #tobagotiktok #tobagocarnival #bagolimers #fogangels #joannaetravels #joannaeintnt #caribbeantravel #carnivaltiktok #jouvertmorning ♬ Riot – Trinidad Killa

On the Road with Fog Angels

After getting ready, I grabbed some breakfast at Rituals in Crown Point before heading to Scarborough for the grand parade. I met up with my cousins, and we were on the road for the rest of the afternoon into the night. I did not enjoy the lunch this year, but I was happy to get some KFC before going back to the Airbnb for the night.

Getting drinks from the truck was a breeze. I was happy Fog Angels learned their lesson from last year and had multiple trucks available for drinks. I rarely use the bathroom on the road and always pack sanitizer and other essentials from my carnival packing list, but the porta-potties were pretty clean.

@msjoannae On the road with @Fog Angels Jouvert+Mas Tobago #tobagocarnival #prettymas #carnivalsunday #carnivaltiktok #tobagotiktok #joannaeintnt #caribbeantiktok #caribbeantravel ♬ Energy – Mical Teja

Discovering New Things to Do In Tobago

I stayed an extra two days after the festivities and decided to tour the island. With my home base being Crown Point, I went to Store Bay Beach almost every morning after breakfast. Since I love exploring different activities when I visit, I walked the Mangrove Forest boardwalk to Petit Trou Lagoon in Tobago Plantations, visited Fort King George and the hospital where my grandfather worked, and took a glass-bottom boat tour to Nylon Pool and No Man’s Land with Frankie Tours. I also went to Black Rock Beach for photos and to Quench near Buccoo Beach for fresh smoothies.

@msjoannae Things to do in Tobago outside of the carnival: Visit Fort King George Do a Glass Bottom boat ride to Nylon Pool and No Man’s Land Take a morning dip and have Crab and Dumpling in Store Bay Go to the beach in Pigeon Point Take a stroll on the boardwalk at the Petit Trou Lagoon in Tobago Plantations Enjoy the nightlife in Crown Point #visittobago #101reasonstobago #joannaetravels #joannaeintnt #caribbeantravel #tobagobeyond #meetmeinbago #welcometobago #tobagocarnival2024 #traveltiktok #traveltiktok #tobagotiktok #tobago #trinidadandtobago ♬ Beat Rum Bad – Wadicks & System32

With new events and ever-growing crowds, Tobago Carnival keeps getting bigger and better. After attending for the past three years, it has become a staple carnival that I will continue to attend.