Curaçao: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
12 harbours · 1 bridge or lock
Curaçao: 12 harbours, 1 bridge or lock, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Caribbean guilder (since 31 March 2025), US dollar widely used
Clearing in: Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, outside the EU, the EU customs territory and Schengen. To clear in, head straight for Spaanse Water: since 10 September 2025 customs and immigration share an office at Santa Barbara by the entrance, the whole crew comes along. The anchoring permit is issued by the harbour master in Willemstad; hand in the form within eight hours of arrival. Large yachts clear in Willemstad. Digital ED card for everyone arriving; pre-arrival notice via SailClear.
Ausreise: Clear out at a port of entry before departure (port clearance): the next state asks for the certificate on clearing in.
Documents: Passport valid for the length of stay; Germans visa-free up to 90 days per 180 days, with a return or onward ticket. Boat papers, insurance.
Fees: Clearance free of charge during office hours. Anchoring permit for Spaanse Water (three months, renewable) or for three nights at another anchorage, each around 25 USD (44.35 guilders).
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Anchor only with a permit and only in the designated places (more than three nights only in Spaanse Water); the entrance to Spaanse Water is narrow.
Nature: The reefs on the leeward coast are protected (Curaçao Underwater Park and national parks): do not anchor on coral, do not fish, do not touch coral.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November; Curaçao lies south of the hurricane belt and is rarely hit, many yachts spend the season here. Insurers often set a limit at 12 N: check your policy.
Emergency: 911, ambulance 912; Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (rescue coordination centre in Curaçao) emergency 913 or +599 9 463 7620, listening watch on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Noonsite: Curaçao, Clearance, Noonsite: Curaçao, New Procedure for Anchoring Permits, Kustwacht: contact, Auswärtiges Amt: Netherlands (with the Caribbean), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Curaçao (Willemstad, Spaanse Water)
Bridges and locks
Movable bridges
Frequently asked questions
Curaçao: Do I need to clear in?
Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, outside the EU, the EU customs territory and Schengen. To clear in, head straight for Spaanse Water: since 10 September 2025 customs and immigration share an office at Santa Barbara by the entrance, the whole crew comes along. The anchoring permit is issued by the harbour master in Willemstad; hand in the form within eight hours of arrival. Large yachts clear in Willemstad. Digital ED card for everyone arriving; pre-arrival notice via SailClear.
Curaçao: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for the length of stay; Germans visa-free up to 90 days per 180 days, with a return or onward ticket. Boat papers, insurance.
Curaçao: What fees apply?
Clearance free of charge during office hours. Anchoring permit for Spaanse Water (three months, renewable) or for three nights at another anchorage, each around 25 USD (44.35 guilders).
Curaçao: What is the emergency number at sea?
911, ambulance 912; Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (rescue coordination centre in Curaçao) emergency 913 or +599 9 463 7620, listening watch on VHF channel 16.
Curaçao: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 12 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning. Plus 1 bridge or lock with opening times and clearances.