Bermuda: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
23 harbours
Bermuda: 23 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Bermudian dollar, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar
Clearing in: British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen. Before leaving for Bermuda, file the pre-arrival float plan with Bermuda Radio and the pre-arrival notice via SailClear, plus the Bermuda Mariner's Travel Authorisation for every person. Before arrival call Bermuda Radio on VHF channel 16; enter only through Town Cut to St. George's, clearance is at the eastern end of Ordnance Island (immigration, customs, health), day and night.
Ausreise: Clear out at a port of entry before departure (port clearance): the next state asks for the certificate on clearing in.
Documents: Machine-readable passport; Germans need no visa, stay up to three months, extendable by three months. Boat papers, insurance.
Fees: Passenger tax 35 USD per person on arrival; cruising permit for private boats for up to six months 6.50 USD per metre (under 24 m), 8.50 USD per metre from 24 m; longer stay 250 USD per person, extension 100 USD.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Bermuda is surrounded by reefs that reach up to 15 km off the island to the north: use only the buoyed channels, at night only with pilotage help from Bermuda Radio. To Hamilton and into the Great Sound via the North Channel and the Narrows.
Nature: No anchoring on coral; in the protected reef areas and on wrecks only on moorings, fishing with restrictions.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October; Bermuda lies on the track of many storms recurving to the north. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 911; Bermuda Radio (MRCC Bermuda) on VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Sources: Go To Bermuda: Entering Bermuda by Private Vessel, Go To Bermuda: Sailing to Bermuda, Bermuda Marine and Ports: Sail Bermuda, Auswärtiges Amt: United Kingdom (with the overseas territories), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Bermuda (St. George's, Hamilton, Dockyard)
Frequently asked questions
Bermuda: Do I need to clear in?
British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen. Before leaving for Bermuda, file the pre-arrival float plan with Bermuda Radio and the pre-arrival notice via SailClear, plus the Bermuda Mariner's Travel Authorisation for every person. Before arrival call Bermuda Radio on VHF channel 16; enter only through Town Cut to St. George's, clearance is at the eastern end of Ordnance Island (immigration, customs, health), day and night.
Bermuda: Which documents do I need on board?
Machine-readable passport; Germans need no visa, stay up to three months, extendable by three months. Boat papers, insurance.
Bermuda: What fees apply?
Passenger tax 35 USD per person on arrival; cruising permit for private boats for up to six months 6.50 USD per metre (under 24 m), 8.50 USD per metre from 24 m; longer stay 250 USD per person, extension 100 USD.
Bermuda: What is the emergency number at sea?
911; Bermuda Radio (MRCC Bermuda) on VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Bermuda: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 23 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.