Hullteam
Pro area

Entering by boat: Curaçao

What to do to enter Curaçao by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.

Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).

Before you arrive

The steps

  1. Before arrival: SailClear and online DI card for each person.
  2. Call Fort Nassau Port Control on VHF 12 and request an anchoring permit.
  3. Anchor in Spanish Water, then go to Willemstad: immigration, customs and the Harbour Master (anchoring permit) within 8 h.
  4. Departure: immigration and customs within 24 h before, then call VHF 12.

Papers to have on board

  • Passports for the whole crew
  • Crew list
  • Boat papers (registration certificate)
  • Outward clearance from the previous country

Good to know

  • August 2025: all yachts first anchor in Spanish Water, then travel by road to clear in Willemstad.
  • A joint customs-immigration-coast guard office at Santa Barbara (Spanish Water entrance) is announced 'soon'; not yet open to yachts in August 2025.
  • Anchoring permit required, issued by the Harbour Master within 8 h; no anchoring in St. Anna Bay or at Westpunt.
  • No commercial activity for foreign yachts (fines).

Ports of entry

The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.

Prepare your arrival with Hullteam

In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.

Create my free account

Sources

This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.