Paramaribo has dolphins on its doorstep. Where the Suriname and Commewijne rivers join before reaching the sea, a group of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) — profosu in Sranan Tongo — lives and feeds in the muddy estuary all year.
They are small, grey above and pinkish below, and they are coastal dolphins rather than the pink river dolphins of the Amazon. In the late afternoon, small covered boats go out to find them, and most trips succeed.
Top things to do: River Dolphins
Take a sunset dolphin boat
Boats leave from Leonsberg, on the northern edge of the city, and motor across to the confluence. The skipper cuts the engine when fins appear and the dolphins often surface in pairs or small groups around the boat, sometimes leaping. Trips last two to three hours and usually end with the sun going down over the river.
Combine it with a plantation stop
Many dolphin trips include a stop at a riverside plantation or at Nieuw Amsterdam for a drink or a Javanese meal before returning in the dark.
Watch the mangroves
The riverbanks are lined with mangrove. Look for herons, egrets and scarlet ibis flying to roost at dusk.
How to get to River Dolphins
- Leonsberg is about twenty minutes by taxi north of the centre along Anton Dragtenweg.
- Dolphin trips are sold by tour agencies in the centre and by most hotels, usually including the transfer to Leonsberg. They are not currently bookable through GetYourGuide.
- The Peperpot and river sunset tour on our tours page is the nearest bookable alternative for an evening on the same water.
Insider tips
- Sightings depend on the tide; operators time departures accordingly, so the hour changes from day to day.
- The dolphins are quick and the water is brown: put the camera on burst mode and then put it down and watch.
- Choose an operator that keeps its distance and does not chase the animals.
- Bring a light rain jacket and repellent for the ride home.
Tours: River Dolphins
GetYourGuide lists only a handful of Suriname tours. These are the real, bookable ones most relevant to River Dolphins:
Guided tour Suriname: Peperpot Nature Park Tour & River Sunset
A short afternoon outing to Peperpot, the old coffee and cocoa plantation that has become a nature park just across the river from the city. You walk among the plantation remains, look for monkeys and birds in the regrown forest and finish with sunset on the river. A new listing with a small group size — check the live price before you plan around it.
- Forest trail on an 18th-century plantation
- Wildlife spotting with a guide
- Sunset over the river, pickup available
Day trip from €200 Commewijne Coffee and Plantation Heritage Tour, All Inclusive
A relaxed six-hour introduction to the plantation district across the river. The day starts with breakfast, continues with the history of Commewijne and a visit to the Katwijk coffee plantation for a tasting, and ends with a local lunch. Small group, with free cancellation at the time of writing.
- Breakfast at a café before crossing to Commewijne
- Katwijk coffee plantation with tasting
- Local lunch included, small group
