Manzanilla Beach

Manzanilla is a rural coastal community located on the East coast of Trinidad, just below the north-easternmost point, Toco, and above the southeastern county of Mayaro. The coastline, popularly called Manzanilla Beach, extends for 15 miles and fronts the Nariva Swamp, the country’s largest protected wetland system. Littered by coconut trees, the coast is frequented by nature-lovers and persons seeking a peaceful and scenic road trip. 

Receiving waters from the Atlantic Ocean, the coast experiences constant high wave and wind energy, causing severe progressive erosion on its shoreline. A seawall was erected along the Manzanilla Beach Facility and has since undergone rehabilitation works to address severe erosion and wave overtopping. In 2015, a boardwalk was erected for beachgoers around the same time as the rehabilitation works. Remnants of abandoned beach houses can be seen throughout the length of the coastline.

Our video cameras on site measure wave run-up and will be processed to generate numerical models that can determine changes in the shoreline over time and contribute to the generation of nature-based guidelines for coastal engineers. The photos below show some of the observations captured on-site.

Wave Action Wave and Wind Action

Wave run-up during high tide. Photo taken December 2023
Wave action. Photo taken December 2023.
A boat previously used as a tourist attraction is now collapsing into the sea.
Various materials used to mitigate the erosion impacts are seen along the coastline
Partial loss of concrete barriers
Effects of erosion on materials used for mitigation
Sandbags and tires commonly used to mitigate erosion effects
Tire being covered by sand
Progressive property damage on the shoreline
Effects of erosion on coastal property
Erosion impacts seen along the length of the shoreline
Sunken concrete barriers