ORTOIRE RIVER

Ortoire River
Photograph By: Pond 5

The deepest river in Trinidad and Tobago is located here in Mayaro, the Ortoire River. It is one of the longest and widest streams on the island, running 50km. The Ortoire River forms the northern boundary between Nariva and Mayaro County and its mouth is located at the southern end of Manzanilla Bay where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This river is not just the largest but it also has a long standing history, this said river was previously used by ships to transport goods around the island.

Mayaro was one of the most isolated places in Trinidad during the 19th century even though it boasted rich plantations of cotton, sugar and coconuts. Its only link with the rest of the island was via the Island Steamer which operated from 1818-1928. There was no road to Mayaro and the overland route from Sangre Grande utilized the long, firm beach of the Bande L'Est (Manzanilla) with its thousands of coconut trees. At Point Radix, a headland juts out and obstructs the beach as a road which then turns inland. This inland road had to cross the mighty and broad Ortoire River, being navigable by boats for more than 15 miles. From the 1870s at least, a wooden punt served as a ferry bridge over the Ortoire.

Ortoire River Ferry 1914
Photograph By: Trinbago Yesteryear

On each bank was a bell and one had to ring it to signal the ferryman who would pull the raft over and take one across for a penny. Horses, buggies and later automobiles crossed the river in this way.

It is usually green in color, however during the raining season it appears brown due to sediment in the water.

I remember growing up as a kid my dad would take us to the river for a swim and to me this was the best experience ever. People from Mayaro and outsiders both join together to make a cook or be entertained by the young men who would jump of the trees and “splash” into the waters. The Ortoire River is indeed a historical stream of water that we the people can still enjoy today.