Guyana
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Revision as of 20:23, 24 July 2013
Guyana Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Guyana.
| Guyana | |
 Map - click for larger view | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Georgetown  6°46′N, 58°10′E
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| Language: | English |
| Currency: | Guyanese Dollar (GYD) |
| Timezone: | UTC-4 |
| More notes about the country | |
 Latest News
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| Content - news items, etc. | |
Overview
Guyana is an independent country situated on the North Eastern seaboard of South America. It is the only English speaking country in South America and is culturally Caribbean rather than Latin.
Though its name translates from its Amerindian origin to mean Land of Many Waters, Guyana was not, until recently, considered a cruising destination. But in 2004 a flotilla of some four yachts sailed up the majestic Essequibo River, the largest river between the Orinoco and the Amazon, to discover that its fresh waters offered amongst the most attractive anchorages in the South American and Caribbean region.
Jack Cooley, captain of the yacht Mystic Adventure, one of the four cruisers, making the voyage from Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago to Essequibo, was later to write in the Caribbean Compass "cruisers bored with sitting out the Hurricane season in Trinidad, often look for additional areas to cruise that are out of the 'Hurricane belt'. Popular destinations include Grenada, Tobago, the Delta Rivers of the Orinoco and other nearby rivers… I believe that Guyana can be added to this list of Hurricane season cruising favourites". Cooley observed that the sail from Trinidad to Guyana was "not overly rigorous" and noted that "for voyages from South Africa to the Caribbean, Guyana could be a welcome respite and in fresh water too".
Encouraged by the first flotilla, in 2005, a second flotilla of 8 yachts arrived and were full of praise for the hospitality they received and the beauty, seclusion and security of the anchorages which they found.
Today, the mining town of Bartica, 50 miles from the mouth of the Essequibo and at the center of the confluence of three great rivers, the Mazaruni, Cuyuni and Essequibo, where a number of Guyana's leading nature resorts are located, is an official port of entry and welcomes the arrival of cruisers. It's about 10 hours motoring (rarely sailing) from the river's bar to Bartica. There you can clear customs, immigration and health authorities within an hour of checking in by completing the simplest of customs clearance forms to be found at any cruising destination in the Caribbean and South America.
The Essequibo River now features prominently in the Third Edition of the Chris Doyle Cruising Guide for Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana. After visiting at the invitation of the Government of Guyana, having been encouraged to do so by former international sailor, Simon Wall, former Cabinet Minister and Public Relations Consultant, Kit Nascimento and Trinidad and Tobago's, Donald Stollmeyer, Doyle, regarded as the guru of pleasure cruising in the Caribbean and North Eastern South American, decided to feature Guyana in his guide.
The Doyle Guide provides full chart and waypoint navigational advice on approaching the Essequibo River and sailing upriver to Bartica and the attractive anchorages in the vicinity off Baganara Island Resort, Hurakabra River Resort and the Shanklands Resort.
Simon Wall, known internationally for his single-handed transatlantic crossings and vice President of Canadian Bank Note which operates the Lotto in Guyana, in his introduction to the Guide, noted that he first ventured on his 50-foot sloop into the Essequibo River in 2005 and has been attracted back on a number of occasions since then.
He writes "I would urge cruisers to visit Guyana and enjoy some of its many attractions that include being outside of the hurricane belt, fresh water, exceptional low cost of living, quality services, English speaking and extensive safe anchorages". According to Wall, the more he cruises the Essequibo, the more he appreciates "the spectacular beauty and many attractions that Guyana has to offer".
Navigation up the Essequibo River to Bartica, using the Doyle waypoints, is relatively simple for yachts drawing less than 15 feet. Cruisers should keep a look out for small outboard power boats, water taxis, fishing nets and floating debris. Cruisers must, however, take notice of 10 foot and more tidal variations and a somewhat shifting sandbar of about 10 foot in depth at the mouth. Entering on a rising tide and for sailing upriver is therefore recommended. The river floods at 1.8 knots, roughly, and ebbs at about 3.5 knots. Muddy at the mouth, the river waters gradually turn a golden brown coloured by vegetation. The banks display magnificent white sand beaches
The Baganara and Hurakabra Resorts, in particular, now cater to receive cruisers anchored close off-shore. These Resorts are exceptionally beautiful nature destinations which offer exceedingly comfortable and well appointed accommodation, jungle walks, birding, beach front dining, well stocked bars, recreation facilities, water sports and dingy docking.
Cruisers can make arrangements with the resorts for support services such as fuel, laundry, ice, potable water, groceries, garbage disposal and fast boat transport to Bartica and river and road transportation to the capital city of Georgetown. Baganara has a small, light aircraft landing strip and Hurakabra, similarly, at a close by Island.
Bartica, with a population of about 10,000 is a bustling, somewhat quaint, hinterland town servicing Guyana's flourishing gold and mining activities in the upper reaches of its rivers. It offers small Creole, Chinese and Brazilian dining, a wide range of fresh vegetable and meat market and supermarket shopping, banking facilities, hardware shops, general merchandise and a very active native nightlife. Boatyard facilities are not available, but, Bartica has workshops capable of carrying out most running repairs
Guyana is home to much of what remains of the Amazon Basin's untouched tropical forest, virgin savannah lands and almost 800 species of bird life and a huge variety of wild life and flora. In the middle of the rain forest you can find the magnificent Kaieteur Falls, the most powerful waterfall in the world, with its combination of very high drop and large water volume. Cruisers visiting Guyana can easily access all of this from anchor by making arrangements with Evergreen Adventures, who operate Baganara and Public Communications Consultants/GEMS who run Hurakabra. (Submitted by Kit Nascimento)
Climate & Weather
Guyana is outside the recognised "hurricane belt". The climate is hot and humid, particularly from August to October. The rainy seasons are from April to August, and November to January.
Sources of weather forecasting:
Charts
- BA527, Approaches to Demerara & Essequibo Rivers
- BA533, Mouth of Essequibo River, Guyana
- BA2782, Essequibo River, Mouth, & 20 miles inland.
- BA2783, Essequibo River (Mamarikuru Island to Bartica).
Any navigation notes here.
Local Radio Nets
Also see the Cruisers Nets for regional nets.
- The local Coast Guard monitors VHF 16
- The Georgetown lighthouse monitors HF 8281.2
Arrival/Departure procedures
Clearance is best done at Bartica as the officials (Customs, Immigration and Health) are best geared up there to handle cruising yachts. The procedures are quick and easy. Clearance is also possible at Georgetown but far more difficult for yachts.
Immigration, Visas & Customs
Immigration
All visitors require visas except those from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, North and South Korea, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Caricom countries (who can enter without a passport if they have an ID card or driver's licence). All other countries must obtain a visa in advance. A single entry up to 30 days is normally given. Visas can be obtained in neighbouring countries. Visas are valid for three months from the date of issue.
Sometimes you may be required to show proof of sufficient funds for your visit. Visitors who arrive without a visa will have to surrender their passport and collect it the following day from the Immigration office at Camp Street, Georgetown. An application for an extension takes about two weeks.
Customs
Firearms, ammunition and pets MUST be declared when checking in.
Health
A Yellow fever vaccination certificate is necessary if arriving from an infected area. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended.
Security
Details?
Ports & Popular Stops
- Ports of Entry
- Other
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
- The new Doyle Guide now has a Guyana section which you can download for free.
- Update information for the Doyle Guide, including GPS waypoints for the Essequibo West Channel.
Links to Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
- Cruising and sailing in Guyana (on CruiserLog)
- Guyana Sailing and Cruising Discussions on Cruisers Forum
External Links
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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Names: Lighthouse, TaoJones, Haiqu |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | North Atlantic | South America | Guyana | |
