Colombia: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
36 harbours
Colombia: 36 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Colombian peso
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Clearing in only through a licensed agent (compulsory), at Cartagena, Santa Marta, Puerto Velero, Riohacha, Sapzurro, San Andrés or Providencia: maritime authority DIMAR, immigration (Migración Colombia), customs (DIAN) with the temporary import of the yacht and agriculture (ICA). A national zarpe between ports.
Ausreise: Clear out before departure and get the zarpe: without it the next state will not clear you in.
Documents: Passport valid for six months; Germans visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per year; complete the online Check-MIG form beforehand. Boat papers, crew list, zarpe from the last country.
Fees: According to sailors about 200 to 250 USD for the agent including clearance and zarpe, the temporary import of the yacht costs more; entry to the national parks.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Enter Cartagena only through Bocachica: a submerged wall blocks the Boca Grande. Driftwood and rough seas off the Magdalena mouth, off the Guajira from December to April strong trades with high seas, best kept well offshore.
Nature: Parque Nacional Natural Corales del Rosario y San Bernardo and Tayrona: anchor only at the permitted spots, entry fee per person. Seaflower (biosphere reserve around San Andrés and Providencia): do not anchor on seagrass or coral.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November; Cartagena and the coast up to Santa Marta lie on the southern edge of the storm tracks, San Andrés and Providencia right in them (Iota devastated Providencia in 2020). Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 123; Navy coast guard (146) and VHF channel 16.
Sources: Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR), Noonsite: Colombia, Auswärtiges Amt: Colombia, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Colombia: Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Tayrona
Colombia: Cartagena, Rosario and San Bernardo Islands
- Barú
- Berrugas
- Bocachica
- Club de Pesca
- Club Nautico
- El Pueblito
- Manzanillo del Mar
- Marina de Barú
- Marina Santa Cruz
- Moñitos
- Pasacaballos
- Punta Arena
- Rosales
- Tierra Baja
- Tierra Bomba
Colombia: Gulf of Urabá (Sapzurro, Capurganá)
Colombia: La Guajira (Riohacha, Cabo de la Vela)
Colombia: San Andrés and Providencia
Frequently asked questions
Colombia: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Clearing in only through a licensed agent (compulsory), at Cartagena, Santa Marta, Puerto Velero, Riohacha, Sapzurro, San Andrés or Providencia: maritime authority DIMAR, immigration (Migración Colombia), customs (DIAN) with the temporary import of the yacht and agriculture (ICA). A national zarpe between ports.
Colombia: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans visa-free for up to 90 days, extendable to 180 days per year; complete the online Check-MIG form beforehand. Boat papers, crew list, zarpe from the last country.
Colombia: What fees apply?
According to sailors about 200 to 250 USD for the agent including clearance and zarpe, the temporary import of the yacht costs more; entry to the national parks.
Colombia: What is the emergency number at sea?
123; Navy coast guard (146) and VHF channel 16.
Colombia: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 36 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.