Travel Guide Braamspunt

Braamspunt is an outcrop of land at the mouth of the Suriname River, named after the military base set up there, "Byams Point", after the second English governor of Suriname, William Byam, in office from 1654 to 1667. Originally, there was also a beach here, but this was certainly washed away by the sea. With the currents and shifting sediments, the village is constantly evolving, and beaches are being created in other places around it. Not far from Braamspunt is Pomona, once a thriving Chinese and then Javanese fishing village. The village was abandoned some years ago, however, and a few modest wooden houses inhabited by Guyanese fishermen can be seen from the boat. Today, Braamspunt is a small village of shrimp fishermen. Dried shrimp is the perfect flavouring for some Surinamese dishes, but may leave the traveller indifferent who has made the journey in the hope of spotting wild dolphins. Two very similar species cohabit Suriname's waters: the Tucuxi, a freshwater dolphin, is found in the rivers, and depending on the tide can be seen on the Commewijne. The Costero, as its name suggests, can be seen along coasts and river mouths. Braamspunt is the starting point for all mammal-watching cruises. For their tranquility and your safety, it is forbidden to swim in their company.