Fort Island

Fort Island lies in the Essequibo and was the seat of the Dutch colony of Essequibo in the eighteenth century. Two buildings survive: Fort Zeelandia, a compact brick fort completed in 1743 with its walls and gun positions intact, and the Court of Policy building nearby, a brick hall of 1752 that served as the colony's government chamber and later as a church, now a small museum. They are among the oldest standing structures in Guyana.

What you actually see

• Fort Zeelandia - a brick fort of 1743 with walls and gun positions surviving.
• The Court of Policy - a 1752 brick hall, the colony's government chamber.
• The museum - displays on the Dutch period inside the Court of Policy.
• The island - a small flat island in the middle of the Essequibo.

When to go

September to April is drier and the most comfortable. Boats run from Parika through the day but should be arranged for the return. Mornings are best before the heat.

Honest expectations

Boat hire is the main cost and prices should be agreed in advance. The site is small and takes an hour. Interpretation is limited and the museum keeps irregular hours.

Nearby

Parika is on the mainland, and Bartica is upriver.