See Aruba Formalities for detailed information on entry and departure procedures.

On approach call Aruba Ports Authority on channel 16. The port Captain will probably want to switch to channel 11 or 14. You will be directed as to where to berth.

General Clearance Barcadera:

• The container terminal is off limits to yachts.
• You will have to tie up to the North West dock which has a partical wooden face board.
• Do not go in a straight line to this dock as there is a shoal in front of this dock of less than 4ft/1.20m.
• The blue freighter that was a good landmark to avoid the shoal when entering Barcadera Harbor, is not there anymore. It is very important yachts stay in the shipping channel until abeam of the customs dock to avoid running into the shoal.
• The entry buoy to Barcadera harbor is at 12° 28.834′ N 70° 00.430′ W.
• The Customs dock at Barcadera is at 12° 28.855′ N 70° 00.014′ W.
• Once moored the skipper will have to go to the Immigration and customs office on the dock. All crew must remain on board.

How to get to the Customs dock:

Enter the ship channel and set a course for the Customs dock. Stay in the ships channel until abeam of the Customs dock – which is abeam of the blue building next to the white tanks. When abeam, turn in towards the dock keeping two small rounded mooring bollards to port and two hard cornered bollards to starboard. In the photo below you can see two of the small bollards (keep to port), and one of the large ones (keep to starboard).

In front of the black, grey, and white tug tied up in the corner (behind the large black fenders in the photo) there is 10 ft / 3M of water. Past the dogleg in the pier, where the pier changes from concrete to a wood face board, maximum 7ft / 2.1M can enter, staying close (one boat width) to the dock. If you go to the end of the (wooden) dock, stay close to the dock or the vessels tied to the dock to stay off the shallows. Up to 7 ft / 2.1M draft can go to the end, but you do need to stay close to the dock.

If your draft is over 10ft / 3M call Aruba Port control for instructions. They might send you to the Container terminal in Barcadera or send you to Oranjestad.

While the Barcadera Customs dock area does not look nice, it is a nicer and easier dock to tie up to than the container dock in Oranjestad harbor. Once tied up you will find the officials are pleasant and efficient.

Before departing the harbor (or when making any movements within the harbor) call Aruba Port Control to make sure there is no other traffic. This is a precaution to avoid yachts from being run over by large steel ships.

Aruba Ports Authority: Info. for International Yachts and Sailing Vessels (note this site is out of date)

Last updated: October 2023

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