Saint Kitts and Nevis: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
9 harbours
Saint Kitts and Nevis: 9 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. Ports of entry: Basseterre (St. Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis); according to sailors, Christophe Harbour Marina offers clearance in the season from November to May (check before the trip). Online forms (APIS) before arrival. No new clearance between St. Kitts and Nevis, the entry certificate is enough (sailor's report 2025). On Nevis all boats call NASPA on VHF channel 16 and are assigned a mooring; a coastal mooring permit is needed there before any coastal cruising.
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 per half-year, but only with an approved, paid electronic travel authorisation (eTA, apply about 14 days in advance). Whether the eTA also applies to the crew of a private yacht is open: check before the trip. Weapons including flare pistols only with an import permit.
Fees: According to Noonsite USD 50 to 100 for a boat with two people, St. Kitts cheaper than Nevis, cash on Nevis. NASPA moorings by length class.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. On the west coast of Nevis (Oualie Beach to Charlestown) moorings are mandatory, above 90 ft a separate anchoring area.
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: VHF channel 16; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France +596 596 70 92 92. Coast guard of Saint Kitts and Nevis according to an insurer's list +1 869 465 8384.
Sources: NASPA: Yacht Mooring, St. Kitts and Nevis: eTA, Noonsite: St. Kitts and Nevis, SARcontacts: St. Kitts and Nevis, Auswärtiges Amt: Saint Kitts and Nevis, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
St. Kitts and Nevis (Basseterre, Charlestown)
Frequently asked questions
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Ports of entry: Basseterre (St. Kitts) and Charlestown (Nevis); according to sailors, Christophe Harbour Marina offers clearance in the season from November to May (check before the trip). Online forms (APIS) before arrival. No new clearance between St. Kitts and Nevis, the entry certificate is enough (sailor's report 2025). On Nevis all boats call NASPA on VHF channel 16 and are assigned a mooring; a coastal mooring permit is needed there before any coastal cruising.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans need no visa for up to 90 days per half-year, but only with an approved, paid electronic travel authorisation (eTA, apply about 14 days in advance). Whether the eTA also applies to the crew of a private yacht is open: check before the trip. Weapons including flare pistols only with an import permit.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: What fees apply?
According to Noonsite USD 50 to 100 for a boat with two people, St. Kitts cheaper than Nevis, cash on Nevis. NASPA moorings by length class.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: What is the emergency number at sea?
VHF channel 16; the rescue coordination centre is MRCC Fort-de-France +596 596 70 92 92. Coast guard of Saint Kitts and Nevis according to an insurer's list +1 869 465 8384.
Saint Kitts and Nevis: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 9 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.