September 2010: Guyana is certainly an emerging yachting destination and is considered a safe haven for yachts as several yachts can currently be found along the mighty Essequibo River.

Published 14 years ago, updated 6 years ago

At the moment there are seven yachts in the waterways including “Follower Too” owned by Peter Ward and Mariana Niehaus of Namibia; “Sara” – Ian Trail and his wife Glenys from the UK; “Azimut” – Ursula and Eckhardt Westphal from Germany/Austria; and “Inguaz” captained by Malte Onvlee from Germany/Argentina.

Honorable Manniram Prashad, Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, met and interacted with the cruisers last Friday (3 September) at the Hurakabra River Resort. Prashad commented that over the years a few yachts have been trickling into Guyana, but for the first time, so many yachts can be found in one place, with people from Germany, South Africa, Denmark, Argentina and London. He added, “So we are very happy that the yachting tourism has taken off.”

He said this is a small step but thinks “the yachting tourism is here in Guyana for the future”. He said the challenge now is to develop a boarding dock. He said several yachts in the Essequibo River at the same time is a huge achievement, and anticipate that more and more yachts will come into Guyana.

Also, he reminded everyone that Guyana is now in the Chris Doyle yachting guide with 46 pages dedicated to the Guyana yachting industry, and importantly, the government has made the mining town of Bartica an official port of entry.

He said Guyana is favored for many reasons including being a safe haven during the hurricane season and that the waterways are safe. “This augurs well for tourism in Guyana, and “word of mouth” will certainly help to promote Destination Guyana.”

Husband and wife team Peter Ward and Mariana Niehaus said they spent three years in Brazil and came to Guyana during the hurricanes after reading about the country in the yachting guide, and hearing about its amazing flora and fauna, and also being the only-English speaking country in South America.

The couple, who have certainly fallen in love with Guyana, arrived in July and plan to stay in Guyana until November.

Ian and Glenys Trail said they also learned about Guyana through the Chris Doyle yachting guide and described Guyana as a very beautiful country.

Our thanks to the Hurakabra River Resort for sending this report to noonsite.