Microscopic plankton have been lighting up the Ortoire River in Mayaro for the past week. News 19 TT visited the area on April 18 for a midnight boat tour. Watch our adventure here.
Ortoire River glows blue: Rare bioluminescent plankton lights up Mayaro
BySharlene Rampersad
Apr 19, 2026
The Ortoire River in Mayaro, lit up a brilliant blue on April 18, 2026, owing to microscopic plankton.
By Sharlene Rampersad
Sharlene Rampersad is a Trinidad and Tobago-based investigative journalist, multimedia reporter and editor. She is the founder of News 19 TT. With more than a decade of experience in Caribbean journalism, she specialises in in-depth reporting on social issues, governance, crime, climate change and inequality. Her work focuses on accountability journalism, uncovering underreported stories and amplifying the voices of communities across Trinidad and Tobago. Through News 19, she produces original video reports, on-the-ground coverage, and digital-first storytelling designed for modern audiences.