Turks and Caicos: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
11 harbours
Turks and Caicos: 11 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: US dollar
Clearing in: British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen. Give notice of arrival at least 24 hours in advance via SailClear (and of departure too). Ports of entry: on Providenciales Blue Haven Marina, South Bank Marina, South Dock, Southside Marina and Sapodilla Bay, on Grand Turk South Dock, on South Caicos Cockburn Harbour. Office hours Monday to Thursday 8 am to 4:30 pm, Friday until 4 pm.
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. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Fees: Clearing in 50 USD, clearing out 50 USD, overtime outside office hours; cruising permit 300 USD for 90 days, at the first port.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. The Caicos Bank is mostly only 1 to 3 m deep and full of coral heads: cross only in daylight and good light. Turks Island Passage and Caicos Passage are deep.
Nature: National parks with reefs (Princess Alexandra on the north coast of Providenciales, West Caicos Marine, Columbus Landfall off Grand Turk): use moorings, do not anchor on coral, no fishing or shell collecting.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October; few sheltered berths (marinas on Providenciales, Cockburn Harbour). Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 911; the police Marine Branch on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force: Vessel Clearance, Visit TCI: Arriving by Sea, Noonsite: Turks and Caicos, Auswärtiges Amt: United Kingdom (with the overseas territories), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Caicos Islands (Providenciales, South Caicos)
- Ambergris Cay Marina
- Blue Haven Marina (Providenciales)
- Bottle Creek
- Cockburn Harbour
- Hawksbill Marina
- Lorimers
- Sapodilla Bay (Providenciales)
- South Bank Marina
- South Side Marina
- Turtle Cove Marina
Turks Islands (Grand Turk, Salt Cay)
Frequently asked questions
Turks and Caicos: Do I need to clear in?
British overseas territory, outside the EU and Schengen. Give notice of arrival at least 24 hours in advance via SailClear (and of departure too). Ports of entry: on Providenciales Blue Haven Marina, South Bank Marina, South Dock, Southside Marina and Sapodilla Bay, on Grand Turk South Dock, on South Caicos Cockburn Harbour. Office hours Monday to Thursday 8 am to 4:30 pm, Friday until 4 pm.
Turks and Caicos: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for the length of stay; Germans visa-free up to 90 days. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Turks and Caicos: What fees apply?
Clearing in 50 USD, clearing out 50 USD, overtime outside office hours; cruising permit 300 USD for 90 days, at the first port.
Turks and Caicos: What is the emergency number at sea?
911; the police Marine Branch on VHF channel 16.
Turks and Caicos: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 11 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.