Description:
Aruba Port Control do not allow yachts to clear in Oranjestad at the current time, all vessels must clear into the country at Barcadera.
Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, lies at the northern end of the southwestern coast. The harbor is found behind three long barrier islands. Barcadera container port lies 3NM to the SE. There are also marinas and a variety of places to anchor.
Oranjestad is the island’s largest city and is often called "Playa," it has a population estimated at 30,000. The town was built around the 1796 Fort Zoutman and has a variety of historic buildings and museums.
Cruiser highlights:
Outside of the hurricane belt; English speaking; good provisioning; convenient marinas; boatyard and storage; airport; beautiful beaches; duty-free imports; good bus system; restaurants and diverse tourism options.
Entry notes or cautions:
Before entering the harbor from sea, call Aruba Port Control on VHF CH16/11 for permission to enter you will be directed to one of two docks.
For Oranjestad/cruise ship docks the Port Control suggests using the NW entrance for approach and head towards H pier.
NW entrance: 12° 31′ N, 70° 04' W
H pier: 12° 31'285" N, 70° 02'709" W
Yachts anchoring close to the airport runway should take great care as a number of boats have been hit by taxi boats or other locally operated boats not paying attention.
Position:
12° 30'3" N, 70° 02'15" W (SE entry buoy to Oranjestad harbor)
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At Super Food, we agreed with the Johan Klein – the Store Manager (P: (297) 522-2000 M: (297) 597-5550 F: (297) 587-7078 E: johanklein@superfoodaruba.com) that they would deliver to the boat. We, and another couple from another boat, bought four trolley loads of provisions and paid for it. The store transported it to the marina for us. Cold items were transported in the air conditioned cab. Great service. Well worth asking.
Nov 2017 – Varadero marina in Aruba is a very good place to haul out the boat, and to leave it for the season.
Good things:
1.Out of Hurricane belt
2.Very professional at the yard, all lifting/launching operation was carefully managed
3. Reasonably priced
4.Close to the airport
5.A good bar/restaurant in the marina.
Not so good:
1. A little bit far from the city and the shops, you must rely on a taxi (expensive), a bus (very few during the day), or your dinghy: in five minutes through the lagoon, you will be at Reinassance Hotel/harbour in the city centre.
2. Rats in the yard, when leaving the boat do not leave any ropes from the deck to the ground, or your anchor chain dangling.
3. The place is close to the airport, so noise and gas smell are dominant.
Electrics and electronics
I would highly recommend Rob Fijn from Radio Holland for any electrical or electronics. I tried many tradesmen from Grenada to Aruba to fix problems I was having with my Garmin system but no luck.
He came to the rescue even when his family were visiting from Europe and sorted everything. Thanks, Rob things are running perfectly again.
robfijn@imtechmarine.com
Tel:+297 7356401