Suriname - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
January 2022
- All crew members (regardless of nationality) over the age of 18 arriving in Suriname on pleasure vessels, will only be permitted to enter if they hold a Covid-19 vaccination passport.
- Yachts can only enter the country with a confirmed marina reservation.
- The Yellow Fever passport is also required for all crew members.
- Crew members aged 12-18 will need to show on entry a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, taken within 48 hours of departure from last port. Children under 12 years old don’t need this test.
- Yachts that have been at sea longer than 12 days before arriving in Suriname DO NOT NEED A PCR TEST PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. After 2 days all crew will be required to take a rapid test.
- All arriving yachts must submit the Notice of Arrival form to MAS at least 48 hours before arrival in port, plus a crew list with ID or Passport information and proof of Covid vaccinations (also send to MRW if headed there).
- When entering, contact must be made with the Vessel Traffic Control of the MAS on VHF channel 12. See Clearance for more details.
- MAS must be kept informed of all vessel movement in port and on departure.
- It is not permitted to move your vessel to another part of the Surinam river or the Commewijne and Cottica rivers, without written permission by MAS.
- Apply for E- visa by email (see Immigration for details).
Information confirmed by Marina Resort Waterland (MRW), who can also assist if problems are encountered with e-visa applications etc.
History:
- Suriname closed its borders on 14th March, 2020, to air and sea arrivals.
- On 15th May, 2020, authorities gave permission for private yachts to enter Suriname under certain conditions due to the coming hurricane season.
- Until June 2021, yachts were able to enter with negative test results and a 7-day quarantine on arrival (with passage time deducted).
- June 2021 the rules changes and over-18’s could only enter with a vaccination passport.
- Rules then remained the same throughout the rest of 2021.
Resources:
Reports:
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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I left my boat, a Oceanis 473, in the water from may to october 2019 in the small marina Waterland Suriname. The owner Noel and his crew took very good care of it. The electrician Aad Smit is great, and sympathetic. As in many small countries, he is skilled in many crafts. He also did an excellent plastic job on my boat.
Its important to cover the properly, the deck was stained by yellow dust.
Currently moored in Domburg in Suriname and planning to clear in tomorrow in Paramaribo (27 May 2019)
After meeting and discussing the issues/process with Netti (Harbour Resort Domburg), it “seems” to me that MAS is basically acting as “Customs” and if I understand the process, a private vessel must “1st” go there to receive entry documents for the vessel then “2nd” secure a tourist card (or visa) with the Consular Affaires (which also requires a trip to the Bank with USD or Euro ONLY no SRD – not sure why they don’t take their own money) and then “3rd” the Military Police to get passport stamped (basically acting as Immigration). While I admit this might seem a little “opposite” them most places (where Immigration is 1st and Customs next) it seems to be how they want it done and it’s their country.
Also for information, we attempted to notify MAS on VHF 16 and 12 of our arrival at the mouth of the Suriname River as suggested in the Noonsite “Clearance” section but no response was received so we continued up river to Domburg.
TY bclark.
To all visitors who plan to come to Suriname.
Do not fear or think that anything is hard to get.
All is there for you to explore.
All you wil meet is very friendly people to guide you to where and what to do, after entering Suriname river by yacht.
My strong advice is never to enter at night, so plan your arriving at incoming tide, at daylight.
This due to many lights at shore at night who may confuse entering even with a good map or electronic charts!
Anchor out at 5 mtr dept and wait to daylight and incoming tide.
Never enter in sailing, due to ships who enter as well, but motor in.
When at Domburg or at Waterland Resort you have three days before going for a visa.
And believe me from there you will receive all the help you need, to start a beautiful time in Suriname.
And remember, this is a very special country and you will not get this grand arrival feeling elsewhere, not in many other islands .
Enjoy and have a wonderful stay.
Mieke mv Southern Cross!
We stayed for almost 1 month at Waterland resort. Highly recommended as it is a secure place to leave your ship when visiting inland.
On Sundays, you can have a very good brunch at the resort and from time to time also BBQ in the evening. Beware: dinghies have been stolen at Waterland and at Domburg this year. Be sure to keep them well locked!
They currently have BBQ on Saturday afternoon and excellent all you can eat buffet on Sunday afternoon. Bar is open every day and snacks are available. The dock has electricity and water. There are plans for another dock to double the capacity. I think this is the only marina between Brazil and Trinidad. Noel was most friendly and helpful for getting us a rental car, help for a diesel a problem and information on batteries as ours had died en route. We stayed a week and a half before continuing north and it was an excellent experience.
The sail across from Ascension Island to the Suriname River mouth took us 25 days – about 2652nm. Crossing in the path of the Amazon River, we were affected by cross-currents, even 260nm out. Coming in closer to Suriname, there were a lot of fishing boats with nets extended all over the place and it was very difficult to pick your way though it all, especially at night, so take great care on the approaches or come around at higher latitudes and then turn South heading straight for the entry markers.
We anchored just off the river mouth to wait for a full days light. MAS (Maritime Authority Suriname) would not allow us to anchor closer in, we had to either proceed up to Domburg or wait outside, and so we waited. The current was hectic at 2 am so you have to very careful as of where to anchor and keep watch.
We arranged a docking at Marina Resort Waterland which is about 27nm up the river. GPS – 05deg39’.503N and 055deg03’.833W (see their website http://www.waterlandsuriname.com and they have a facebook page). Fees were €27 + 8% tax per day with water and electricity. Very nice, relaxing place to recuperate after the long sail.
The owner, Noel, arranged a taxi for us to go into Paramaribo to check in. This took about 6 hours as we needed a visa from Immigration. Visa fee was $45 each and had to be paid at the Central Bank which was a short walk away. Everyone was friendly.
We stayed on a dock for 2 weeks then moved 6.7nm back towards Domburg and went on a mooring ball at Harbour Resort Domburg GPS – 05deg42’.222N and 055deg04’.899W. Also very nice with a restaurant (River Breeze Restaurant & Bar), swimming pool, showers and a small laundry machine. Fees were €8.75 for the mooring ball.
Although while we were there, there was construction working in progress along the bank retaining wall so there was no floating dingy dock and difficult access to land. There was no “water supply” to your boat as part of the facilities/services and the “cooking gas service” entails hiring a car or taxi and going to town yourself.
The Tourism Foundation has a fairly comprehensive tourist destination guide and there is also the Suriname Travel magazine and a variety of smaller brochures/booklets that will assist any visitor to Suriname. These are available at the immigration visa office and Marina Resort Waterland.
Regarding clearing out in Paramaribo, please note that you do not go to Vremdelingenspolitie, but to the Military Police on the corner of Tourtonne Laan, same police post you have been visiting when checking in.
I was told that this is the case since 2 or 3 years already.
Please note that sometimes you get your crew list stamped, sometimes not – we did not get a stamp.
Vremdelingenspolitie is still the point to go when you stay longer than 4 weeks and you have to get you 3 months visa re-stamped.