Suriname - Clearance
Suriname Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts
While there are official pre-arrival procedures to carry out with both Immigration and MAS (Maritime Authority Suriname), the systems in use are clunky and may or may not work. Don’t expect a reply or confirmation e-mail either. However, it is definitely worth having a go.
Immigration Entry Fee Vouchers / E-Visas
For Immigration purposes an entry fee voucher (EFV) must be applied for and paid online in advance. If you require an E-Visa, this also must be obtained in advance.
See the Immigration section for details.
Note: Cruisers report having difficulties paying for the EFV online and instead paid in cash on arrival. It should be noted that cash is king in Suriname and foreign debit/credit cards are not accepted, except to withdraw cash at an ATM – although these don’t always work or indeed have any cash to offer.
MAS (Maritime Authority Suriname) Notice of Arrival
Two days (48 hours) in advance of arrival, the MAS “Notice of Arrival” must be completed and submitted to ldjoe@mas.sr. The form can be found at https://mas.sr/notice_of_arrival/.
Cruisers report that this online form only partially works. It is not possible to add a crew list at this time, however, the Health Declaration works. MAS will not reply.
Contact your chosen marina prior to arrival (either Marina Resort Waterland or Domburg Marina) and send them the same information you sent to MAS, plus:
- Copy of passports
- Copy of vaccination book (yellow fever)
- Copy of Entry Fee Voucher
They will forward the same to MAS and help speed up clearance on arrival.
Ports of Entry
See Paramaribo for entrance notes and cautions when entering the Suriname River.
While Immigration formalities must be completed in the city of Paramaribo, a new government rule does not allow yachts to anchor near the town or in front of Torarica Hotel (unless special permission has been granted), so all visiting yachts must proceed directly upstream to Domburg, or Marina Resort Waterland a little further up-river, and travel to Paramaribo from there.
- Paramaribo is approx. 8NM up-river.
- Domburg is approx. 13NM up-river.
- Marina Resort Waterland is approx. 18NM up-river.
Visiting yachts have 2 days after arrival to complete Immigration formalities in Paramaribo.
Suriname Arrival Procedures for Yachts
Advance Notification
From 12.8 km (eight miles) out, call MAS on VHF Channel 12 or 16, to advise them of your arrival.
MAS can also be contacted on:
Telephone: +597 474575/597 231585, or
Cellular phone: +597 8168461
E-mail: info@mas.sr
Proceed to Domburg, under the bridge over the river (height 41 meters). The navigation channel is clearly marked with buoys.
General Procedure
Clearance in Suriname is fairly relaxed, however, remember the dress code when visiting official offices – long trousers, collared shirt and closed-in shoes. Being polite and always greeting an official or person before asking a question will serve you well.
Clearance is not required immediately – you have 2 days to complete clearance.
The day before you plan to head into Paramaribo, get three copies of your crew list ready. Remember, all crew (with their passports) must complete clearance.
The easiest and quickest method to deal with clearance is by taxi between all the offices. If you take a taxi from Domburg expect to pay approx. SN$1,000. Alternatively, there is a direct bus link from Domburg to the Heiligenweg bus stop in town. From here, take a taxi to the various offices and agree a set price. Buses run into town from 06:00 to 16:00 and it is strongly advised to go early (around 07:00) as offices close early. See transport for more details.
- On arrival, the marina will send copies of your MAS clearance, EFV, passports and boat papers to MAS (if not already sent in advance).
- MAS: When your paperwork is ready for collection, go to MAS in Paramaribo for collection [Cornelis Jongbaw Street #2 (between Hofstede and Wilhelmina Streets)].
- Immigration: Next, go to (Vreemdelingen Politie) Immigration/Foreign Affairs [Grote Combeweg (near the intersection of Henck St and Tamarindelaan Streets)] to pay the tourist levy. Although one can stay 90 days, you have to go back to Immigration every 30 days to get an extension.
- To pay the tourist levy, you have to go to the bank with a taxi to pay it (in USD or Euros), then come back with the receipt to Immigration.
- Military Police (MP): You will be given a form to take to Military Police [on the corner of Henck Aaronstraat and Tourtonnelaan], who then stamp the passports. They will want a crew list.
Suriname Departure Clearance for Yachts
International Clearance
Clearing out requires a visit to the MP. When leaving the country, just an exit stamp on your crew list is needed.
If however, you have changed crew in Suriname, let your marina know at least 3 days prior to departure so they can arrange a revised crew list. This will need to be taken to the MP to be stamped for departure.
Cruisers have reported; “The MP will ask you when you are leaving. It cannot be further away than “tomorrow” otherwise they will tell you to come back. In practice, nobody checks to see that you have actually left”.
Last updated: November 2024
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).
Next Section: Formalities: Clearance Agents
Related to following destinations: Suriname
Country Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Suriname
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comFormalities
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
Feedback from cruising boat that cleared into Suriname 01 Nov. 2024:
Hello Noonsite,
We checked into Suriname today and the online clearance from French Guyana was not a problem. We had added a physical customs stamp to the digital stamp though.
However, the online system in Suriname does not work or works only partially.
What one should do 48 hours before arrival is check in with MAS. They do not reply to you. Part of the website does not work, one cannot add crew lists.
One should also pay for a 50 euro or dollar tourist levy, but sections of the application via VFS do not work and we had to pay cash on arrival.
Foreign credit cards can only be used to withdraw cash and we have been told that nobody accepts foreign debit or credit cards.
We contacted Noël from Waterland Marina before we departed from our previous port. His staff sent us all the required documentation, which we filled out and returned. A day after arrival, Noël organised a taxi for the day (SRD 900 / about USD 25) to take us from Waterland to an ATM, the downtown marina office (where Noël gave us our forms with stamps from MAS), and the Military Police (for which Noël joined us, as he wanted to make sure we were seen by the chief officer, who knows the procedure). We then got sim cards, lunch, groceries at one of the “Western” supermarkets in town, and fruit and vegetables at one of the market stalls along the “highway”. Great service at no cost other than the taxi.
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.