Entering by boat: The Gambia
What to do to enter The Gambia 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).
The steps
- Health (vaccination booklets)
- Customs (forms)
- Immigration (stamp)
- Port office (fees and river permit)
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Crew list
- Vaccination certificates
- Visas, if your nationality requires them
Good to know
- Only one port of entry: Banjul. Noonsite information from 2020: check it.
- Offices not open every day: arrive on a weekday; formalities are long (about 5 h).
- 28 days visa-free for EU, UK, Commonwealth and ECOWAS; others (e.g. USA) need a visa (possible on arrival, 2 days to get it in Banjul).
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
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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.