Marina Resort Waterland
Suriname's first full-service marina paired with riverside bungalows in sleepy Domburg
Why Go
Tucked down a quiet lane in Domburg, Waterland is where transatlantic sailors moor up to escape Caribbean hurricane season ΓÇö and where in-the-know Surinamers slip out from Paramaribo for a weekend of BBQ, river breeze, and the rare pleasure of a hammock with no city noise.
The Experience
The setting is unmistakably 'binnenland' Suriname ΓÇö big trees, brown-water river, the clink of rigging on the floating jetties, and the smell of woodsmoke from the Pavilion's grill. Guests stay in one of a handful of thatched-roof bungalows (Alen Aka, Bana Beki, and Kolibrie among them), each with a private terrace pointed at the water. Days move slowly: coffee at the Pavilion Bar & Restaurant, a swim off the private beach, a paddle out on the Suriname River, then sundowners while yachts bob at the marina's twelve-berth pontoon. It feels less like a hotel and more like a small nautical village where cruising sailors, families from Paramaribo, and curious travelers all end up eating at the same long tables by Saturday night.
What to Try
Time your stay around the Saturday evening BBQ & Pasta night at the Pavilion ΓÇö it's the social heartbeat of the resort and the easiest way to meet the international yacht crews wintering here. Sunday's lunch buffet is the other must-do, best followed by a lazy afternoon canoe or a cycle along the river dyke. If you're not sailing in, ask about a short boat tour from the marina to see how the Suriname River widens on its run to the Atlantic.
Insider Tip
The Domburg turnoff from the East-West Link is easy to miss and Muurvarensweg has no street lights ΓÇö arrive before dusk, or call ahead on +597 878-6938 so staff can guide you in. Also, freshwater at the marina means far fewer mosquitoes than the interior lodges, but bring repellent for evening walks along the dyke anyway.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Muurvarensweg 52, Domburg (District Para/Wanica), roughly a 40-minute drive southwest of Paramaribo ΓÇö about 28 km from the Central Market. Taxis from the city run around SRD 300ΓÇô400 one way; a rental car makes day trips much easier. The Pavilion Bar & Restaurant is open to non-staying guests, with weekend events (Saturday BBQ, Sunday buffet) as the main draws. Marina berths take yachts up to 80 ft with 4 m draft, fully serviced with water, power, and 24-hour security. Contact info@waterlandsuriname.com or +597 878-6938 to reserve a bungalow or a berth; book well ahead for hurricane season (JuneΓÇôNovember), when Caribbean sailors fill the marina.
Pair It With
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A short hop away, this is the easiest way to add an adrenaline hour on the Suriname River to an otherwise slow-paced Waterland weekend.
- 'T VAT Sidewalk Cafe Guide — Grab a cold Parbo and a bite here on your way back into Paramaribo ΓÇö it's the classic city-side bookend to a Domburg escape.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Waterland is genuinely rural; picking up a rental in Paramaribo makes the drive down Muurvarensweg and onward day trips through Para district much easier.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — If you want to extend the river-and-jungle theme with a proper interior adventure after checking out, this 4x4 outfitter is set up for exactly that.