Thanks Kit Nascimento for the following corrections and updates.

• Full Customs, Immigration and Health service facilities are now in place at Bartica for clearing yachts and a simple one page form is now in use. Cruisers should proceed up river and anchor off Bartica and contact the Customs office at Bartica on (592) 664-3465 or 684-4054 or call the Commissioner of Customs (ag) on (592) 225-4698 or contact Kit Nascimento on (592) 226-0240; 225-3557 (H&O); 640-4497(M), email kitnasc@gol.net.gy . Customs and Immigration will come on board by boat to effect clearance.

• Cruisers choosing to anchor off Roeden Rust marina for the night before heading up river should remain on board and must clear Customs at Bartica before landing.

• (592) 226-0240; 225-3557; 624-8694; 640-4497; 455-3200

Kit Nascimento recently sent me some writings by  Rory & Wendy on the yacht Zingara. I feel some of these gives information not in the guide so I add them here. Thank you Rory and Wendy and I hope posting this is OK, if not get in touch!

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.

Names to look out for in Bartica are:-

Lashley's Boat Park -   located between Cool Breeze Bar and the Dock, where your tender can be left safely and also supplies lovely  Chicken.

Bhagwandas of  "D" Factor Interior Guest House -  who does some 'Not to be Missed' guided tours of the Rivers and Waterfalls and is also a great local contact, he arranged for our UK Gas Bottles to be refilled amongst other things.  Telephone (592) 455 2544

Freddie's Meat Market - supplies the best fillet steak you will ever taste, and an opportunity to catch up on the latest soap opera.

 

 

 

 

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