 Saint Laurent du Maroni : Profile
Saint Laurent lies on French Guiana's biggest river, the Maroni, which marks the border with Suriname. The port is about 15 miles from the entrance and is opposite the town of Albina in Suriname. It contains many restored building from the period when it served as a French penal colony.
Position 5°30.2' N, 54° 1.5' W.
This is an offical Port of Entry.
For clearance, visit the PAF (police aux frontières ) at the car ferry to have your passport stamped (entry and exit). Not obligatory for European citizens, but prevents issues when your next stop is Suriname.
Customs (la douane) is in the administrative centre.
Last updated January 2012.
A buoyed channel for cargo vessels marks the route (3m minimum depth at high tide). If in doubt (buoys are widely spaced), keep as close as possible to the French side of the river.
Beware of fishing nets when approaching the Maroni river's safe water mark.
While night entry is possible, it is not recommended as buoys closer to Saint Laurent are not lit.
Yachts anchor on the upriver side of a semi-submerged (tree covered) wreck in 4 to 6m. Holding in mud and sand is good.
It is proposed to build a marina here and development is currently underway. It will provide finger pontoons, mooring buoys, secure dingy dock, club house, and WI-FI.
For more information contact David of SY Eileen of Avoca (via www.ifno.info/blog). He is involved in the project to promote and develop Saint Laurent du Maroni as a commodious stopover for visiting yachtsmen.
Last updated January 2012.
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