Sailseer

Venezuela: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors

30 harbours

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Venezuela: 30 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.

Formalities

outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Bolívar; in everyday life often US dollars in cash

Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Clear in at a port with a harbour master (Capitanía de Puerto) in this order: customs (SENIAT), immigration (SAIME), harbour master (INEA), where required also the National Guard; the usual ports are Porlamar and Pampatar on Margarita, Puerto La Cruz, Cumaná and Carúpano. The harbour master issues a sailing permit (zarpe) for the area; to go further you clear out and clear in again in the next district. Many sailors use an agent. The situation and the rules change quickly: read the travel and safety advice of the German Foreign Office before planning the route.

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 90 days. Original certificate of registry, proof of ownership, insurance, radio licences, crew list and the clearance (zarpe) from the last port.

Fees: Fees for customs, immigration and the harbour master vary by port and are often cash only; agents charge extra. In Los Roques an entrance fee for the national park (INPARQUES) per person and day and a fee for the yacht.

Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Attacks on yachts have been reported mainly off the Paria peninsula, between Trinidad and Margarita and at remote anchorages; sail in company and keep a watch at night. The islands of Los Roques and Las Aves lie behind reefs: enter only in daylight and good visibility.

Nature: Los Roques National Park: anchor only in permitted zones, no fishing without a permit, take your rubbish with you; Las Aves, La Blanquilla and Los Testigos are protected too. La Orchila is a military exclusion zone.

Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November; the coast and the islands lie south of the hurricane belt and are hardly ever hit. Insurers often restrict cover in Venezuela for security reasons: check your policy.

Emergency: 911; the Navy coast guard (Guardacostas) on VHF channel 16.

Sources: Noonsite: Venezuela, Cruisers Wiki: Venezuela, Ocean Posse: Venezuela, Auswärtiges Amt: Venezuela, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)

Harbours by cruising area

La Tortuga, La Blanquilla and Los Hermanos

Los Roques and Las Aves (Gran Roque)

Los Testigos

Margarita, Coche and Cubagua (Porlamar, Pampatar, Juan Griego)

Puerto La Cruz (El Morro, Bahía de Pozuelos)

Frequently asked questions

Venezuela: Do I need to clear in?

Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Clear in at a port with a harbour master (Capitanía de Puerto) in this order: customs (SENIAT), immigration (SAIME), harbour master (INEA), where required also the National Guard; the usual ports are Porlamar and Pampatar on Margarita, Puerto La Cruz, Cumaná and Carúpano. The harbour master issues a sailing permit (zarpe) for the area; to go further you clear out and clear in again in the next district. Many sailors use an agent. The situation and the rules change quickly: read the travel and safety advice of the German Foreign Office before planning the route.

Venezuela: Which documents do I need on board?

Passport valid for six months; Germans visa-free up to 90 days. Original certificate of registry, proof of ownership, insurance, radio licences, crew list and the clearance (zarpe) from the last port.

Venezuela: What fees apply?

Fees for customs, immigration and the harbour master vary by port and are often cash only; agents charge extra. In Los Roques an entrance fee for the national park (INPARQUES) per person and day and a fee for the yacht.

Venezuela: What is the emergency number at sea?

911; the Navy coast guard (Guardacostas) on VHF channel 16.

Venezuela: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?

Sailseer covers 30 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.