Entering by boat: Dominican Republic
What to do to enter Dominican Republic 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
- Online procedure: SailClear (accepté) — sailclear.com
The steps
- On approach: call the Armada or the marina on VHF 16, Q flag flying.
- Receive the Armada, immigration, customs, agriculture and drug control (DNCD) on board or at the dock.
- Pay fees (often in cash) and keep receipts.
- Request an Armada despacho for every departure (1-2 days ahead for international).
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
- October 2026: draft nautical tourism regulation under consultation (USD 20 arrival fee, temporary navigation permit USD 5/ft, entry/exit requests answered within 3 h).
- The Navy (Armada) issues a despacho for every move, even between Dominican ports; frequent inspections at each stop.
- Fees vary widely by port (USD 100-150 reported); carry US dollars in cash.
- Crew overstays are charged.
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
- BarahonaCustomsImmigrationHarbour office
- Boca Chica (Marina Zarpar, Club Náutico)CustomsImmigrationHarbour office
- Casa de Campo Marina, La RomanaCustomsImmigrationHarbour office
- Luperón (quai gouvernemental)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurityHarbour office
- Marina Cap CanaCustomsImmigrationHarbour office
- Marina Puerto Bahía, SamanáCustomsImmigrationHarbour office
- Marina Sans Souci, Santo DomingoCustomsImmigrationHarbour office
- Ocean World Marina, Cofresí (Puerto Plata)CustomsImmigrationHarbour office
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.
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- aduanas.gob.do/media/2kamogwv/administraciones-aeropuertos-depósitos-marinas-y-puertos-turísticos-2-4.pdf
- portuaria.gob.do/listado-de-puertos-comerciales-dominicanos-terminales-turisticas-fondeaderos-muelles-y-marinas
- noonsite.com/place/dominican-republic/
- acento.com.do/turismo/regulaciones-9775284.html
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.