Curacao: Clearance & Anchoring Updates

The Curacao Ports Authority have been in contact with Noonsite to clarify designated anchoring areas and rules for visiting yachts, plus with an update on new clearance offices in Spanish Water.

Published 3 days ago, updated 19 hours ago

Spanish Waters New Clearance Offices

Currently, all pleasure yachts arriving in Curacao should proceed to the Spanish Water anchorage area, and travel from there to Willemstad town, via land, to complete clearance.

Customs, Immigration, and the Coast Guard are preparing to open a new office at Santa Barbara (Spanish Water entrance). This will greatly ease the clearance process. While the office is not yet operational, Customs has informed Noonsite that it will be up and running soon and an announcement will be published once it opens.

Know the Correct Designated Anchorages for Visiting Craft

Curacao Harbor Master’s office are keen that visiting yachts understand the designated anchoring areas around the island as mis-information has been circulating on crowd-sourced platforms.

The following areas are the designated anchoring areas, for which only the Harbor Master will issue an anchor permit.

  1. Spanish Water lagoon (max 90 days) – see Spanish Water Docking for a map and details of permitted anchoring zones
  2. Fuik bay (max 3 nights)
  3. Santa Martha bay (max 3 nights)
  4. Santa Cruz (max 3 nights)
  5. Piscadera bay (max 3 nights)
  6. Klein Curaçao (max 3 nights)

It is not permitted to moor yachts in the St. Anna bay.

It should be noted that Westpunt Bai North and South are NOT recognized anchoring areas, and the Harbor Master does not issue anchoring permits for them.

Marker Buoys are starting to be installed in Spanish Water, starting with marking designated anchorage A. The other sections will follow afterwards. See Spanish Water for details.

Other Reminders for Visiting Yachts

Foreign yachts are strictly prohibited to conduct any kind of commercial activities in Curacao and if found doing so, will be fined as a result.

All images courtesy of Curacao Ports Authority

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