Where to base yourself
Almond Beach camp
Thatched shelters with hammocks or tents, a cooking area, rainwater for washing and pit or simple flush toilets. No electricity beyond a small solar light, no shop, no signal.
Mabaruma
A few modest guesthouses on the ridge and at Kumaka, with shops and eating places. The comfortable option before or after the beach.
Santa Rosa, Moruca
Guesthouses in a large Arawak community spread over islands in the savannah swamp, on the overland route.
Food & drink
Your hosts or operator bring and cook the food: rice, fish straight from the sea, cassava bread, coconut in many forms, fruit from the north-west’s farms. Drinking water is carried in. Bring any snacks and special items you need — there is nowhere to buy them.
Tips: saving money and staying safe
- Pack for mosquitoes and sandflies: long loose clothing, socks, strong repellent and a head net if you are sensitive.
- Bring a torch with a red filter, spare batteries and a power bank.
- Everything should be in waterproof bags; you and your luggage will get wet landing.
- Never use flash or white light near turtles, never stand in front of one, and do not touch turtles, eggs or hatchlings unless a warden invites you to help.
- Take all rubbish back with you; plastic on nesting beaches is a real hazard.
- Travel in a group of four or more to share boat costs.
Sample plans
Three days
- Day 1: early flight to Mabaruma; boat to Almond Beach; first night walk.
- Day 2: dawn beach walk and birding; rest; second night walk.
- Day 3: boat back to Mabaruma and afternoon flight, or continue overland via Moruca.
Four days overland
- Day 1: Georgetown to Charity via Parika and Supenaam; boat to Santa Rosa.
- Day 2: through the creeks to Shell Beach; night walk.
- Day 3: a full day and second night on the beach.
- Day 4: boat to Mabaruma and fly back.
Where to stay: Shell Beach
Shell Beach conservation camp (Almond Beach)
The simple field camp on the nesting beach — hammocks or tents and shared facilities. Available only as part of an organised trip.
Not sold on Trip.com: book direct or through a local operator. The button opens the Trip.com search for the nearest town it lists.
Guesthouses in Mabaruma
Modest guesthouses in the regional centre; the button searches Trip.com for Mabaruma.
Not sold on Trip.com: book direct or through a local operator. The button opens the Trip.com search for the nearest town it lists.
Cara Lodge Hotel (Georgetown)
A comfortable Georgetown hotel for the nights before and after the journey.
