Port of Port of Spain

Ships at Port of Spain tie up alongside a wharf in the heart of downtown, on the Gulf of Paria, so there is no tender to plan around. The Port Authority's Cruise Ship Complex uses Berths 3 and 4, and the port gives its position as latitude 10°39' North, longitude 61°31.5' West.

Berths 3 and 4 on the marginal wharf

The Port Authority lists Berths 3 and 4 as the cruise ship berths, fitted with cylindrical fenders, and its facilities table marks Berth 3 as the passenger berth for cruise shipping. Depths alongside the marginal wharf vary from -9.75 m at Berths 1 to 5 and Berth 8, with -12 m at Berths 6 and 7. The port's maximum length overall is 294 m and its maximum berth draft is 12 m. POSINCO, the Port Authority's landlord unit, runs cruise terminal operations, and Port Authority Police secure the Port-of-Spain Cruise Ship Terminal. The port says it complies with the ISPS Code. Its switchboard is 1 (868) 623-2901/4.

Up the Grier Channel

The approach is the Grier Channel, about 8 km long with a dredged depth of 12 m CD. It opens into a turning basin about 550 m across. A vessel above 1,000 GRT takes one tug and a vessel above 20,000 GRT takes two or more.

Downtown, and the streets the UK asks you to watch

The UK FCDO's safety page for Trinidad and Tobago names downtown Port of Spain east of Charlotte Street, south and west of Picadilly Street and north of Independence Square as an area for extra care. It reports a high level of violent crime in the country, including gang-related attacks and shootings, and advises avoiding walking or hiking alone, deserted beaches or isolated areas. It also asks you to be careful at ATMs and when changing money: use well-lit machines, withdraw small amounts and preferably in daylight. Camouflage clothing is an offence for anyone, children included, so leave it on the ship. The same page says robberies and opportunistic crime may occur during the carnival period, and that the islands are rarely hit by hurricanes but can have severe storms.

Taxis, maxi taxis and PTSC buses

The FCDO suggests well-established taxi firms recommended by locals or your hotel, and caution about accepting lifts in a private car or a maxi taxi. PTSC public bus tickets range from TT$2 to $12, according to the operator's services page, which is undated (read 2026-10-26). PTSC's head office is at #60 South Quay, Railway Buildings, Port of Spain.

Tours from the Port Authority's list

The Port Authority's touring services page lists local operators, among them Trinidad & Tobago Sightseeing Tours and Nanan Bird Sanctuary Tours.

Piarco airport

At Piarco, a public bus runs from 6am to 8pm and reaches the kerbside bus stop at a quarter past the hour. The taxi desk sits outside the Customs Hall exit, and rates are available there or at the Airport Information Booth. Car rentals are west of the Arrivals area, also outside the Customs Hall exit.

The US$5 head tax

The Port Authority's rates page lists a head tax of US$5.00 per person for non-CARICOM residents (checked 2026-10-26).

Port of Spain calls on Berths 3 and 4

Berths 3 and 4 on the marginal wharf are the cruise berths. WakeRadar's AIS tracking counted 2 calls at Port of Spain over the dates shown above, a pace of about 0.2 a week. The Port Authority publishes its expected cruise ship arrivals for Trinidad, and its 2026 to 2027 schedule carries the note that the schedule is subject to change. The Port Authority says it will not be held liable for claims arising from those changes.

How this page is made

Ship calls come from WakeRadar's AIS tracking (date range shown above). Facts were checked on 2026-10-26 against the sources below. The text is reviewed by the WakeRadar editor.

Sources

• https://www.patnt.com/infrastructure/cruise-shipping/arrival-schedule/trinidad/cruise-ship-arrivals-2026/
• https://www.patnt.com/infrastructure/about-us/
• https://www.patnt.com/infrastructure/land-use/
• https://www.patnt.com/cargo-handling/port-operations/facilities/
• https://www.patnt.com/infrastructure/cruise-shipping/rates-and-charges/
• https://www.patnt.com/contact-information/
• https://www.patnt.com/port-police/
• https://www.patnt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/POS-Cruise-Ship-Schedule-2026-2027.pdf
• https://www.patnt.com/infrastructure/cruise-shipping/touring-services/
• https://ptsc.co.tt/ptsc-transportation-services/
• https://ptsc.co.tt/routes-and-schedules-2/schedules/
• https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/trinidad-and-tobago/safety-and-security
• https://tntairports.com/travel/when-you-arrive/car-rental/