Commewijne River
Commewijne River
4.5
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:15 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
211 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
84
Average
22
Poor
2
Terrible
1
SunnyW358
Albuquerque, NM6,528 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our river trip. The evening started with some rain and we were worried that we would see nothing, but gradually the rain abated and we could enjoy the calm on the water. We were on Suriname river for a while and then moved toward the Commewijne River where we saw quite a lot of dolphins. However, it was not very easy to photograph them close.
We also stopped by a plantation and returned to the boat to enjoy the sunset and a sun-downer. The sunset colors on the water was just beautiful and the mood was very serene.
We really enjoyed this trip.
We also stopped by a plantation and returned to the boat to enjoy the sunset and a sun-downer. The sunset colors on the water was just beautiful and the mood was very serene.
We really enjoyed this trip.
Written July 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
matt
Amsterdam, The Netherlands23 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
Boating is nice, but for the best of both worlds, rent a bike in the center, bike to leonsberg (paramaribo north) or de waterkant and take a boat across. then you can cycle through all the old planatations and villages, see the cross the commewijne to fredricksdorp or rust & werk, and head to the old coffee factory at katwijk. The entire loop of Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam -> Alkmaar -> Tamanredjo -> Meerzorg is about 50km, not including anything you ride from the city center on the west bank of the suriname river. You pass some grea little villages, it's relaxed, flat cycling, and you can also sometimes see dolphins in the commewijne (so I'm told). For anyone who loves cycling it's a fntastic relaxed ride, super chill and easy, and you can choose to turn around or do as much of the loop as you want. On the north end you can also choose to cross the river with ferries to the northern plantations of the commewijne river.
Overall a great cycle, but bring water and sunscreen!
For practical info, I started early from diakonessen hospital, rode north to leonsberg (14km) in about an hour, waited for a bit for other people to arrive and with 7 of us we shared a boat across to the other side (kabel) with bikes for 5 SRD per person. Then we rode to the fort, and I rode on alone to do the loop. The loop in total was 65km, so start early. The portion Fort - Marienburg sugar factory is about 30-45 minutes cycling, and then another 30 or 45 minutes to alkmaar, from there katwijk is maybe 15-25 minutes. Tamanredjo is 10km from alkmaar so about 40 minutes, and then another hour or so to meerzorg where you can take another boat across and then 14km back to the hospital was a few km again
Overall a great cycle, but bring water and sunscreen!
For practical info, I started early from diakonessen hospital, rode north to leonsberg (14km) in about an hour, waited for a bit for other people to arrive and with 7 of us we shared a boat across to the other side (kabel) with bikes for 5 SRD per person. Then we rode to the fort, and I rode on alone to do the loop. The loop in total was 65km, so start early. The portion Fort - Marienburg sugar factory is about 30-45 minutes cycling, and then another 30 or 45 minutes to alkmaar, from there katwijk is maybe 15-25 minutes. Tamanredjo is 10km from alkmaar so about 40 minutes, and then another hour or so to meerzorg where you can take another boat across and then 14km back to the hospital was a few km again
Written August 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Minneapolis, MN265 contributions
Oct 2013 • Business
Took a boat cruise from the Toratica Hotel up the river with many interesting stops. The tour was guided and done in both Dutch and English. A lot of stops related to colonial history, a fantastic lunch at a restored plantation and a swim in the river (much cleaner than the Paramaribo River) on the way back. A great day.
Written August 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise V
Philipsburg, null, Netherlands Antilles4 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
Many tour operators offer Dolphin trips. And even without a tour company you can go out on the Commewijne river to spot dolphins. just go to Leonsberg and charter a boat. My friends and a randomly booked a dolphin trip. Coincidentally it was with Waterproof tours, we already did another trip with them that left us very satisfied so we were happy. Unfortunately this trip was a disappointment.
The day that we went on the trip, the dolphins weren't where they usually hang out, so we had to go a far out to see them. luckily we saw a couple of them, unfortunately not for long. but hey it's nature so you can't complain. Hence this doesn't explain the poor rating I gave waterproof tours. on the boat we had enough to drink (incl alcohol) and there were snacks (chips). that part was okay. but the part that I really disliked is the passive attitude of our guide. he hardly gave us any explanation and on the way back he gave us some laminated A4 papers to read (info about the dolphins and the area). doesn't he understand that I came on this trip to relax? I do not want to read like 10 pages. the information should have been shared verbally. the documentation should have been for those who wanted more back ground information. furthermore the boat stopped at a small village on the river back and left again after 5 minutes, without giving any kind of explanation. the guided could hardly answer any questions. eventually we stopped at another place (I can't tell you where, because we weren't given that information) where we had some cold snacks such as "baka bana" "loempia" and "bara" and the mosquitoes out there were killing us. so everybody returned to the boat as quick as possible. we returned to leonsberg way after dark, tired and unsatisfied.
the only nice thing is that the guide called a taxi for us. because there was no way we have gotten back to town at that time.
The day that we went on the trip, the dolphins weren't where they usually hang out, so we had to go a far out to see them. luckily we saw a couple of them, unfortunately not for long. but hey it's nature so you can't complain. Hence this doesn't explain the poor rating I gave waterproof tours. on the boat we had enough to drink (incl alcohol) and there were snacks (chips). that part was okay. but the part that I really disliked is the passive attitude of our guide. he hardly gave us any explanation and on the way back he gave us some laminated A4 papers to read (info about the dolphins and the area). doesn't he understand that I came on this trip to relax? I do not want to read like 10 pages. the information should have been shared verbally. the documentation should have been for those who wanted more back ground information. furthermore the boat stopped at a small village on the river back and left again after 5 minutes, without giving any kind of explanation. the guided could hardly answer any questions. eventually we stopped at another place (I can't tell you where, because we weren't given that information) where we had some cold snacks such as "baka bana" "loempia" and "bara" and the mosquitoes out there were killing us. so everybody returned to the boat as quick as possible. we returned to leonsberg way after dark, tired and unsatisfied.
the only nice thing is that the guide called a taxi for us. because there was no way we have gotten back to town at that time.
Written January 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan T
Leidschendam, The Netherlands1,409 contributions
Nov 2019
We saw several dolphins during taking the ferry from Johan en Margaretha and Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. This was not the short ferry trip most people do.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve W
Birmingham, UK16 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Took the Dolphin watching trip from Leonsburg along the Commewijne River. Correct timing is a must to see Dolphins, usually when the tide turns and thy are about to feed.
Guides usually know where the Dolphins will be and we experienced an amazing display.
Well worth the effort.
Guides usually know where the Dolphins will be and we experienced an amazing display.
Well worth the effort.
Written October 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liz M
Vancouver, Canada44 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
I took a river cruise on the Commewijne River through Orange Tours in Paramaribo. I took a taxi to Leonsberg and boarded the small authentic riverboat with 6 others. We stopped at Nieuw Amsterdam (an historic government centre) and Fort Nieuw Amsterdam, which is an open air museum. We enjoyed lunch at the restored Frederiksdorp, which was once a coffee plantation. On our way along the river, we saw monkeys, scarlet ibis, flamingoes and, where the Commewijne River meets the Suriname River, we stopped to watch dolphins.
The fee for the day included a guide, entrance fees, a snack, water, sodas and lunch. It was a worthwhile day; the tour offered much diversity and the guide was very knowledgeable.
The fee for the day included a guide, entrance fees, a snack, water, sodas and lunch. It was a worthwhile day; the tour offered much diversity and the guide was very knowledgeable.
Written May 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KammiC
Toronto, Canada51 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
It was quite a long drive over the bridge, it was surprising that Suriname had such a wide river given the size of the country, and even more pleasantly surprise that there is no fee associated with the crossing of the bridge. Lovely and often bragged about bridge.
Written October 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nyron2015
Trinidad142 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Most google searches for Dolphins tours in Suriname list several tour operators with varying prices of USD $30-40, it includes the dolphin tour, a plantation visit and drinks, however, if you wish to just see the dolphins you can make your way to Leonsberg anytime during the day, buses work from Paramaribo to Leonsberg, I am unable to say what the fare is, but it may just cost about $3 SRD person, but the buses are far and few, on the other hand a taxi from the waterkant food area may cost about $25 SRD, you need to negotiate with the driver, upon arrival at Leonsberg head down the wooden jetty (watch your step), there are several boat operators, they will take you to see the dolphins, one boatman wanted $300 SRD for my wife and I, but he came down to $250 SRD with some negotiating, the tour was about an hour and we saw several dolphins, it was really amazing and interesting, taxis is a bit difficult to and from Leonsberg so the earlier you go may be better, walk with your cameras, camcorders and gopro.
Written February 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland29,071 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We started our tour at the Leonberg Pier, about a 15min drive from Paramaribo center. The first impression was shocking. This pier also gets used by locals crossing over to Nieuw Amsterdam and the amount of garbage to the right and left of the pier is incredible. Tour Operators, who are selling the very beautiful Commewijne River Tour starting from here (others leave from the Torarica hotel) should do something about it.
Our excellent guide and boatsman was Lendy Kortokomo of Javanese origin, as so many fishermen living along the river. There were six of us in a not very big boat: a Dutch couple, a Flemish couple and us. Guiding was in Dutch and English.
First we went across the wide Suriname river to the place, where the Commewijne river is met. This seems to be a favorite place for spotting the about 150cm long Guyanian River Dolphin and we saw plenty of them.
From here we branched off into the Commewijne river, where we also saw caimans and herons. There were also several locks, after all we were in former Dutch territory. Our first stop was at 'Rust&Werk' (rest and work), an 18th c coffee plantation, now mainly a cattle ranch and shrimp farm. Here we walked inland, then along a canal past houses of fishermen and shrimp farmers of Javanese origin. Everything was very tidy, so different from Leonberg pier.
We then continued by boat to the Frederiksdorp plantation with some beautiful houses, where we had an excellent lunch, served by friendly and pretty young ladies (also of Javanese origin). The last stop on the way back was at Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. At about 4pm we were back. The tour all in all had lasted 7 hours.
Our excellent guide and boatsman was Lendy Kortokomo of Javanese origin, as so many fishermen living along the river. There were six of us in a not very big boat: a Dutch couple, a Flemish couple and us. Guiding was in Dutch and English.
First we went across the wide Suriname river to the place, where the Commewijne river is met. This seems to be a favorite place for spotting the about 150cm long Guyanian River Dolphin and we saw plenty of them.
From here we branched off into the Commewijne river, where we also saw caimans and herons. There were also several locks, after all we were in former Dutch territory. Our first stop was at 'Rust&Werk' (rest and work), an 18th c coffee plantation, now mainly a cattle ranch and shrimp farm. Here we walked inland, then along a canal past houses of fishermen and shrimp farmers of Javanese origin. Everything was very tidy, so different from Leonberg pier.
We then continued by boat to the Frederiksdorp plantation with some beautiful houses, where we had an excellent lunch, served by friendly and pretty young ladies (also of Javanese origin). The last stop on the way back was at Fort Nieuw Amsterdam. At about 4pm we were back. The tour all in all had lasted 7 hours.
Written April 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bidjay M
Enschede, The Netherlands
Hallo, is deze tour ook te doen met kinderen?
Written August 26, 2019
De tour is zeker mogelijk te doen met de kinderen. Echter gezien de nodige lef lijkt mij dat de kinderen wat ouder moet zijn. Goed kunnen zwemen is zeker een vereiste. Verder moeten ze wel in staat zijn om door het bos zelfstandig te kunnen lopen. Er is zeker niets beters dan de ervaring te kunnen delen met de kinderen
Written August 26, 2019
Combien coûte l'excursion sur le commerwijine river? Tarifs adultes et enfant en euros?
Written June 28, 2019
sprescilla
Paramaribo District, Suriname
Bonjour quels sont les tarifs pour cette activité svp?
Written August 17, 2018
Bonjour,
En passant par l’agence METS de Paramaribo, c’est 30 euros par pardonne de mémoire. D’autres proposent aussi de faire un tour mais les tarifs, s’ils sont un peu moins élevés, restent dans les mêmes eaux et je ne sais pas si cela comprend les mêmes prestations. Voilà !
Written August 17, 2018
nancytesselaar
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Cool! Nice review. Thank you :)
Is it possible to go to Suriname without booking these kind of things? Just go to an office in town and book a tour? Hope you can help me out :)
Written March 29, 2016
Dear nancytess
Thank you for liking my post.
Yes, you can book it in Paramaribo directly. They all have "packages" with drinks/food, morning or sunset excursions. Regarding the price range they are all pretty close. We did not went with one of those tours. We chartered our own guide with a boat. It was nearly the same price as with the tour but worth it, because the 4 of us did not had to "fight" for the best spot to take pictures when the dolphins showed up. Enjoy your stay.
Written March 29, 2016
nancytesselaar
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Cool! Thank you :)
Is it possible to go to Suriname without booking these kind of things? Just go to an office in town and book a tour? Hope you can help me out :)
Written March 29, 2016
Bonsoir,
Quel est le prix de cette activité ? Nous sommes 9
Merci
Written November 17, 2015
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