GABRIEL CRIQUE

This creek is often described as the most beautiful in the country and the closest to Cayenne. Gabriel Creek flows into the Mahury at the Roura bridge in Stoupan. It's best to go during the week, as you'll be almost alone.

After a few hundred meters, you'll reach the landing stage for the village of Dacca. A little further on, the vegetation changes, the cove becomes narrower and the water takes on an amber color. If the time and season are right, many morphos (large metallic blue butterflies, symbols of French Guiana) will come to greet you. A word of advice: make sure you don't make any noise, and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys and lazy sheep.

Further on, after passing under the old wooden bridge of Dégrad-Eskol, the creek leaves the forest for the swampy savannah, where the scenery is superb. Then it becomes narrower and it's time to turn back. The only precaution to take on this lovely pirogue ride is to check the tide. At low tide, the level of the creek won't allow you to go far, making it impossible to cross Dégrad-Eskol.

To reach the banks of Gabriel Creek, you have two options: you can launch your boat just after the Mahury bridge, to the left of the landing stage. This will allow you to sail up the entire creek. Alternatively, continue on to the village of Roura in the direction of Dacca (turn left past the town hall).