Dominica: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
14 harbours
Dominica: 14 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: East Caribbean dollar
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Yachts clear in at Portsmouth (Prince Rupert Bay) and Roseau; for stays of up to 14 days, clearing in and out in one go. Anyone moving on from the port of entry needs a cruising permit according to sailors. In Portsmouth the yacht services association PAYS handles clearance for a fee. Advance notice via SailClear, and for every person the online entry and customs form from three days before. Customs on weekdays until 16:00.
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 six months; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days. Fruit may not be imported, pets only with an import permit from the veterinary office. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Fees: Clearance is inexpensive (in EC$), the amounts are not officially documented; in January 2025 PAYS charged EC$ 80 for clearance. PAYS moorings in Prince Rupert Bay EC$ 25 per night according to older reports.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe.
Nature: Soufrière-Scotts Head Marine Reserve in the south: anchoring restricted, the moorings are for dive boats (check before the trip).
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October; no hurricane hole, the anchorages are open roadsteads. Insurers usually restrict cover during the season: check your policy.
Emergency: 999 or 911; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France +596 596 70 92 92, VHF channel 16. Coast guard (police) according to an insurer's list +1 767 448 2222.
Sources: Noonsite: Dominica, SARcontacts: Dominica, Dockwa: Cruising Dominica with the SDSA, Auswärtiges Amt: Dominica, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Dominica (Portsmouth, Roseau)
Frequently asked questions
Dominica: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Yachts clear in at Portsmouth (Prince Rupert Bay) and Roseau; for stays of up to 14 days, clearing in and out in one go. Anyone moving on from the port of entry needs a cruising permit according to sailors. In Portsmouth the yacht services association PAYS handles clearance for a fee. Advance notice via SailClear, and for every person the online entry and customs form from three days before. Customs on weekdays until 16:00.
Dominica: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days. Fruit may not be imported, pets only with an import permit from the veterinary office. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Dominica: What fees apply?
Clearance is inexpensive (in EC$), the amounts are not officially documented; in January 2025 PAYS charged EC$ 80 for clearance. PAYS moorings in Prince Rupert Bay EC$ 25 per night according to older reports.
Dominica: What is the emergency number at sea?
999 or 911; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France +596 596 70 92 92, VHF channel 16. Coast guard (police) according to an insurer's list +1 767 448 2222.
Dominica: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 14 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.