Located to the North-West of the island, Pointe Gourde is a picturesque limestone headland off Chaguaramas that leads to a series of shipwrecks and marine life. The trail starts at the car park behind Anchorage, next to the WASA station (quick google maps or waze would take you there directly). Directly behind the car park there is an uphill dirt road with a barricade that prevents one from driving in. There’s your trail!
The trek is an easy one with small inclines and descents taking a total of 30 minutes to the end. The time goes by quickly as one can’t help but be in awe of the lush greenery framing the trail. What’s truly fascinating is how the environment changes from almost arid limestone, an ode to it’s days as a limestone quarry, to a mini rain forest and back.
Along the trail, you will be met with a series of choices. Keep left at all times (straight ahead); unless you’re a choose your own adventure person. Be sure to keep an eye out for the local wildlife as Tufted Capuchins, White Tailed-Emerald hummingbirds and even Agoutis can be spotted.
As you make your way closer to the end, the trail gets more and more narrow. Almost as if nature is protecting her prized possession and as you walk deeper into the unknown, you can’t help but be captivated.
After four left ‘turns’, the path comes to a point where it splits left and straight. Going straight gets you to the Point but for those brave, take a left. From the main trail an impressive limestone structure is visible, mere meters, through the bushes. This structure has an opening leading to a short cave but beware! This is home to dozens of harmless bats. Be sure to not harm or chase them as you explore.
It takes less than five minutes from the cave to the shipwreck so keep going! At this point you will encounter the shore and in the background, the buildings that line the main road. Another couple steps and you will encounter the first breathtaking sight.
This ship was launched in the 1950s as ‘John Bluhm’ in Hanburg, Germany. She bounced around to Honduras, Antigua then to Belize where it was renamed ‘Hanna-1’ in 2000. She then came to Trinidad in 2008 and eventually was semi submerged and abandoned.
Today she has a new purpose as she supports countless marine life and coral structures which seem to fuse to her metal frame like the other abandoned ships.
Though this ship graveyard can melancholic, the fact that they are capable of boosting the local ecosystem should be celebrated. This is why Pointe Gourde is an ideal snorkeler’s spot. The sea bed is littered with various types of marine plants and fishes and the water is calm enough even for the beginner snorkeler. But be warned, there are spots that are deep.
The greatest takeaway from Pointe Gourde is the resilience of nature. The man made structures are overgrown with giant roots, tearing them apart; the sunken ships are encrusted in oysters and plant life providing a safe haven for fish and crustacean. It is a stark reminder that we are mere visitors on this planet and even when mistreated, nature prevails. Be safe knock about-ers!
Sources:
Mey, C. “Maritime History and Archeology : Expensive.” Histamar Foundation, www.histarmar.org.
Sookdeo, K. “The Fate of Pointe Gourde.” The Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 14 Apr. 2016.
Knock About Trini 