Suriname Starting to Open Up To Yachts: 2005 Update

Created by doina. Last modified on 2005-11-01 10:49:21
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Countries: Suriname

Could you please update my former report on Surinam from February 2004 as there are a lot of yachts reacting to this writing and they do travel much more to Surinam coming from Brasil. I have heard that a larger number is planning to visit soon. We are now again in Surinam and having a good time.

Anyone is most welcome here; tourism is very well on the move. The authorities in Paramaribo do not - repeat not - treat all foreigners with suspicion especially not arriving yachts and yachtspeople.

Suriname was acknowledged as Dutch Guyana, but always carried the name Suriname. The coast is flat but not marshy. The rivers are not muddy as to make navigation difficult especially not towards the sea (just a bit cloudy).

The interior civil war was a minor dispute that ended in 1992 and no dangers or activities are reported since then. The whole interior in Surinam is as safe as can be. One is free to travel and to go anywhere. No violent crime except the sporadic incidents as elsewhere in the whole world.

Surinam is a fantastic country to visit by yacht or otherwise. Provisioning is superb in supermarkets and marvellous local produce. A large market in centre of town shows it all.

It is a beauty to visit as a country. Lots of ecotourism. Individual inland tours can be made to see tropical nature in pure form. Bush-Negro and Amer-indian villages included. Best is to join via a touroperator. In the capital city Paramaribo, beautiful old architecture can be seen. Bicycle trips are available to visit the various ex plantations.

Foodwise it is superb, with more than 10 nationalities offering their fantastic dishes. The people of Surinam are most friendly, one gets to love them from day one. Dutch and Sranang tongo are mostly the languages spoken, but English is well understood everywhere.

We visited Surinam by MY, but many sailing yachts do visit too. There are always approx. 10-15 yachts there. It may not sound much but it is because of the lack of knowledge among yachters about Suriname. Hopefully this report will help make a change.

Mas (Maritime Authorithy Surinam) can be contacted by channel 12 on reaching the river mouth. The operator of MAS on channel 12 will guide you to where you could or should anchor. Best is to plan to enter with the tide coming in at daytime. No difficulties will be met coming in. MAS does not provide water, diesel,or moorings anymore. This is all available elsewhere.

Anchoring is possible in front of the Torarica Hotel (for a charge), or in front of cafe-restaurant Broki a bit further up. There are also two moorings at at the Merodia pier(for a charge). All these are next to centre of town. The MAS operator can let you know where that is. When anchoring use all the chain you have, as the current can be strong sometimes.

Anchoring is also possible at Domburg (no charge), a beautiful quiet spot approx. 6-8 nm. upriver from Paramaribo. It is a beautiful quiet spot with all foodsupply and daily fresh market. Most yachts anchor there. Soon a new pier is to be built. Daily local buses to town and internet available.

Formalities can be completed at the foreign police(vreemdelingen dienst) at the Jaggernath Lachmon street 167 Paramaribo. Visas needed can be obtained at the visa office, Henk Aaron street opposite the Suriname Bank.

Water is available along the many fishing trawlers on the way upriver to Domburg, who are willing to take you alongside for a short while (perfect clean water). Diesel is available approx. 1 nm after the Suriname bridge, at Shell, Winston Churchill road. Preferably by advance order tel. 481057.

Surinam should not be visited for a short time. Best is to take a few weeks or months as most people do when yachting. Its a perfect way to escape the hurricane months, from the Caribbean island chain. After cruising through Brasil, Surinam is the best next option coming from the south. But coming from the north is not too much a problem, the tide against is not too bad.

Good luck, I love it here!!!

Mieke Koenraadt, October 2005.