Cayman Islands: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
22 harbours
Cayman Islands: 22 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Cayman Islands dollar, US dollar widely used
Clearing in: British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen. Every yacht first calls at the port of George Town (Grand Cayman) or Cayman Brac and reports to the Cayman Port Authority on VHF channel 16; yellow flag, nobody goes ashore or into the water until immigration, customs (Customs and Border Control) and the port have cleared the boat. Send the arrival time and crew list in writing beforehand. Office hours in George Town Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday until noon.
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 visa-free up to 30 days, extension with customs. The yacht may stay duty-free for up to six months, initially 30 days. Firearms, spearguns and spearfishing gear prohibited, pets only with a permit.
Fees: Clearance free of charge during office hours, outside 56 CI$ (special attendance fee).
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Anchor only in the designated areas; the North Sound of Grand Cayman is shallow and full of coral heads.
Nature: Marine Parks rund um alle drei Inseln: in den Replenishment Zones nicht fischen, in den Parks nur an Bojen oder im Sand ankern, nie auf Korallen.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October; no sheltered berth for yachts with draught, the North Sound is shallow. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 911; Cayman Islands Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Cayman Islands Government: Customs and Border Control, Ocean Vessel, Barcadere Marina: Information about the Cayman Islands, Noonsite: Cayman Islands, Auswärtiges Amt: United Kingdom (with the overseas territories), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Grand Cayman (George Town, North Sound)
- Brinkleys
- Captain Marvin's
- Colliers
- East End
- Frank Sound No. 1
- George Town (Grand Cayman)
- Governors Creek
- Hutland
- Morgans Harbour Marina
- North Sound Estates
- Old Man Bay
- Salt Creek
- Sand Bluff
- Spanish Bay Reef
- Spotts
- Whitehall Estate
Little Cayman and Cayman Brac
Frequently asked questions
Cayman Islands: Do I need to clear in?
British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen. Every yacht first calls at the port of George Town (Grand Cayman) or Cayman Brac and reports to the Cayman Port Authority on VHF channel 16; yellow flag, nobody goes ashore or into the water until immigration, customs (Customs and Border Control) and the port have cleared the boat. Send the arrival time and crew list in writing beforehand. Office hours in George Town Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday until noon.
Cayman Islands: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for six months; Germans visa-free up to 30 days, extension with customs. The yacht may stay duty-free for up to six months, initially 30 days. Firearms, spearguns and spearfishing gear prohibited, pets only with a permit.
Cayman Islands: What fees apply?
Clearance free of charge during office hours, outside 56 CI$ (special attendance fee).
Cayman Islands: What is the emergency number at sea?
911; Cayman Islands Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.
Cayman Islands: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 22 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.