Explore: Aruba - Formalities
Clearance
COVID-19: Entry protocols for yachts have been affected by the pandemic. See the Biosecurity section for details.
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Ports of Entry:
On arrival in Aruba all yachts must go to a port of entry and clear with Immigration and Customs.
The main port of entry in Aruba is the Port of Oranjestad, however during the Covid-19 pandemic you will be sent to Barcadera harbor.
General Process:
Fly a yellow Q (Quarantine) flag from a clearly visible high point.
Call Aruba Ports Authority on VHF Channel 16 to arrange safe harbor entry.
If arriving after 22:00 contact the Coast Guard for directions to the designated anchorage space and proceed with clearance in the morning.
In Oranjestad, all people on board – whether crew or passengers – must stay on board until all entry procedures have been completed. Remain on board in designated “Yellow marked” area (H Pier) until the Customs and Immigration officer has cleared the ship.
In Barcadera, the Captain must leave the boat to go to the Customs and Immigration offices.
Immigration:
First clear with Immigration. It’s recommended to ask for longer than you want to stay, then, should your plans change you won’t have to deal with getting an extension to the initial 30 day allowance.
Yacht crews must provide three copies of the Immigration form which can be downloaded from the Aruba Ports website here.
The Crew List and Passenger List forms are found on the Aruba Ports website and can be printed in advance to save clearance time.
Customs:
Next visit Customs. Customs also uses SailClear [https://sailclear.com/]. Immigration does not.
Notes:
- Clearance is reported to be swift and efficient, and there are no clearance charges. However, if visiting during the cruise ship season (October – April) there may be longer waiting times.
- When leaving the clearance dock, be sure to check first with Port Control for permission. Cruise ships have right of way here.
CLEARING OUT
International Clearance:
On departure, contact Aruba Ports Authority on VHF Channel 16 to arrange docking, customs and immigration procedures.
Last updated: December 2020
Related Businesses
Aruba Ports Authority
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard Z/n, Oranjestad, Aruba,
Call the Aruba Ports Authority on VHF Channel 16 to arrange safe harbor entry. The Harbor Control Tower will provide guidelines for mooring.... Read More
Immigration
Immigration Procedure:
Passports are required for all visitors.
Yacht crews must provide three copies of the Immigration form which can be downloaded from the Aruba Ports website here.
The initial period of time that a person can be admitted to Aruba as a tourist is 30 days, however, a longer period can be requested on entry. This is recommended to save having to deal with an extension.
For yacht crew this can be extended to two times 90 days. 180 days per year maximum.
For a list of nationalities who can extend their 30 day stay for up to 180 days, go to http://www.aruba.com/sigma/Entry_Req-Eng.pdf.
Other Visa Information:
Even though Aruba is now an autonomous country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it has its own visa rules and visas for the Netherlands Antilles are not valid for Aruba.
Nationals from a large number of countries do not require a visa to enter Aruba. For example, visitors from the United States, Canada, UK, Ireland and Schengen Area countries do not require a visa. It depends on your nationality and length of stay.
Where and How to Apply for a Visa
Nationalities requiring a visa can find out entry requirements at http://www.aruba.com/sigma/Entry_Req-Eng.pdf.
Find out about the Caribbean Visa for Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten at the Kingdom of the Netherlands official website.
A visa (if required) must be obtained prior to arrival. Find a consulate or embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands near you at http://www.government.nl/issues/embassies-consulates-and-other-representations/contents.
Last updated: December 2020
Related Businesses
Aruba Immigration
Address: Aruba,
Customs
Arriving By Yacht:
The Customs form (two copies are needed) can be downloaded at the Aruba Ports site.
Yachts can stay on the island up to 180 days. After this they will need to be imported. Exception: Yachts in storage at the entrepot section of Varadero Aruba. While in storage the 180-day count is stopped.
The temporary import permit officially is required, but Customs doesn’t have a proper system set up for this, so in practice you won’t be able to do the paperwork.
Firearms and spear guns must be declared. These will be held until your departure.
Customs may undertake a quick search of your boat.
Arriving By Air:
Parts brought in by air in your luggage are duty free.
Importing Parts/Spares:
Considered one of the easier places in the Caribbean to ship or bring in spare parts because of its duty free status. Parts/packages can be shipped in without any hassles via a variety of companies. Renaissance Marina accepts packages for yachts in transit.
Other Customs Rules:
Outside of the regular clearance, there is a rule requiring a Temporary Import declaration, but due to the complexity of Customs requiring a local tax ID number most yachts are unable to comply and the rule is not enforced.
Last updated: December 2020
Related Businesses
Aruba Customs
Address: Aruba,
BioSecurity
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail [email protected] if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
December 2021
- COVID yacht protocols are constantly being updated.
- Effective 1 December travel from certain countries is banned. These include South Africa and Venezuela.
- Effective 4 December, multiple countries will be classed as “very high risk”, with travelers from those locations being required to have proof of a negative PCR test taken within one day prior to their departure for Aruba. Affected countries include Barbados and Dominica. For more details click here.
- Marinas will be kept informed by the government as the rules change. Therefore yachts entering Aruba can only do so through an authorized Marina.
- Choose between Varadero Aruba Marina https://www.varaderoaruba.com/ or Wind Creek Marina https://www.windcreekmarina.com/ to make arrangements for arrival. The marina needs to notify authorities minimum three days before arrival of the yacht. The Marina will need payment information from you as they are responsible for the payment of the medical screening and PCR tests.
- Only after receiving confirmation from the marina is the yacht allowed to come to Aruba. Reservations must be made prior entering for the Medical check and PCR test.
- Upon entering Aruban waters, contact Aruba Port Control on channel 16 for permission to enter the harbor. Then contact the Marina, who will notify the health inspectors to go to Barcadera harbor for the medical screening.
- Yachts must clear at Barcadera harbor during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
- First the medical screening and/or PCR test will be done by the officials, after which, the captain can go to the Immigration and Customs offices to clear in.
- After clearing, vessel must go at anchor for quarantine at a location assigned by the marina and await the results of the tests (usually within 24 hours).
- You can download the health app for faster notification of the results. https://www.aruba.com/us/aruba-health-app
- The Marinas are held responsible for the yachts to maintain themselves to the quarantine rules. Please make it easy for the yachts coming after you by abiding to the rules.
- If all tests are negative, yachts can continue to the Marina or anchorage of their choice.
- Aruba is working on accepting Covid Vaccination proofs from different countries (to skip the PCR test – but medical screening will stay in place for now), however, this is still not ready.
- Boat owners are not allowed to leave their yacht un-attended at anchor and leave the Island of Aruba. Yachts only may be left un-attended at a yacht-club.
- Visit Aruba.com for the latest information and travel advisory update from the Aruba Tourism Authority.
Our thanks to R.P. Beaujon – Harbour Master/PSC Officer – for confirming the above protocols are still current. Our thanks also to Sander Vellinga of the Aruba Cruising Guide for keeping Noonsite informed during the Pandemic.
Resources:
- Visit Aruba Website.
- https://www.arubacovid19.org/travelinfo
- https://www.aruba.com/us/traveler-health-requirements
- Aruba Cruising Guide
- https://www.aruba.com/us/aruba-health-app
History:
- March 13th, 2020, first confirmed cases of Covid on the island, restrictions introduced on travelers from Europe.
- March 15th, 2020, inbound international travel was banned, borders closed.
- It opened to yachts needing hurricane storage only on May 15th, 2020.
- June 15th, 2020, Aruba’s borders opened to yachts coming from Bonaire and Curacao, and for people from Aruba to travel. From July 10th yachts coming from USA and Puerto Rico were able to enter.
- While borders were closed, yachts were able to gain entry for hurricane storage with a prior yard/marina booking and Covid-19 health insurance.
- November 1st, 2020, the Aruba Government approved the opening of Maritime Borders for cruising yachts. The protocols implemented at this time remain in place a year later.
Reports:
Related Businesses
Ministry of Tourism, Public Health and Sports – Aruba
Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard 76, Oranjestad, Aruba,
Health
Aruba has generally modern and sanitary conditions. Finding a good doctor or medical facility in Aruba is easy and most staff speak some English.
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:
Be sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines.
Yellow Fever:
Travellers to Aruba from Central America, Latin America and Africa must have a International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis for Yellow Fever if coming from an area where the disease is endemic. This is a mandatory requirement.
Food and Water Concerns:
Aruba’s tap water is completely safe to drink. Food is generally safe.
Mosquito-borne Diseases:
Chikungunya, dengue fever, malaria, West Nile virus and Zika virus have been reported.
Because of the risks to pregnancy, travelers should consult the CDC Travelers’ Health website for the most current recommendations for Zika.
Prevention:
- Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Wear neutral-coloured (beige, light grey) long-sleeved clothing.
- Pre-soak or spray outer layer clothing and gear with permethrin.
- Ensure that hatch and window screens work properly.
Other Issues:
There is no decompression chamber on the island.
Public toilets are rare in Aruba. Even public beaches do not necessarily have public toilets. Nearby restaurants and hotels will usually allow use of their rest rooms (often for a fee).
Last updated: February 2020
Documents
Necessary Documents for Aruba:
- Valid passport for each crew member with appropriate visa (if required)
- Immigration form/crew list (three copies)
- Customs clearance form (two copies)
Fees
There are no Customs & Immigration fees.
Last updated: February 2020
Restrictions
The Aruba Ports Authority regulations must be adhered to while the vessel is in port and Aruba waters.
While cruising the waters of Aruba please use your discretion to help conserve the beauty and cleanliness of the water.
In Curacao an anchoring permit is required if you want to anchor outside of Spanish water. In Aruba there is no permit required. If you are anchored in a less frequented anchorage the Coast guard will probably pay you a visit, just because you are doing something different.
Local Customs
Clearance Agents
Related Businesses
S.E.L. Maduro & Sons (Aruba) Inc.
Address: Rockefellerstraat 1, Oranjestad, Aruba,
Pets
Arrival:
Although dogs and cats coming from South and Central America are prohibited, an exception for household pets can be made. A statement of no objection by the Veterinary Service must be issued.
All pets require a certificate of health from your last port of call not older then 30 days.
Import/Export:
For import and export of all other animal species contact the Veterinary Service of Aruba in advance.
Rabies Vaccinations:
Valid proof of rabies vaccination (older than one month but not older than one year) must be presented to Customs.
Last updated: December 2020
Related Businesses
Aruba Tourism Authority
Address: PO Box 1019, Oranjestad, Aruba,
The destination marketing and management organisation for Aruba. Contact for all information about Aruba, it's facilities and attractions, including bringing your pet to Aruba.... Read More
Veterinary Service of Aruba
Contact for information on bringing your pet to Aruba.... Read More
