Curacao uses the SailClear advance web notification service. Completing the online forms prior to checking in will save a lot of time at Customs. Boats should pre-register and submit their arrival notification online with SailClear and note the notification ID number.
For a full explanation of this service and other web clearance services in the Caribbean see report: Eastern Caribbean Cruising: Clearance Procedures Simplified.
Immigration forms can be completed online at: www.dicardcuracao.com/portal. See the Immigration section for tips on filling out this form.
A Pre-Arrival Anchoring Permit form is now available.
This must be completed by all yachts planning on anchoring in Spanish Water and handed into the Harbormaster's office (in Willemstad) within 8 hours of arrival, and an anchor permit issued (for a maximum of 90 days - 3 months). Only the Harbourmaster is authorised to issue an anchor permit.
For a list of designated anchorages in Curacao (for which the anchor permit is required) go to Restrictions.
An anchor permit is not needed if you have a marina reservation and intend to remain in a marina.
Curacao ports are planning a dedicated e-mail address where the anchor permit form can be sent in advance, and ultimately the form will be digital, available on their website. However, for now, it must be completed manually and handed in. Forms are available at the Harbormaster's office in Willemstad, if printing is not possible on board.
The port of Willemstad is a commercial port where commercial size vessels and tugboats sail in/out, which could lead to unnecessary damage of small pleasure craft due to heavy wash. Furthermore, the majority of the quays inside St. Anna Bay are ISPS certified. Therefore, pleasure craft are not permitted to berth at either the eastside or the westside of the St. Anna Bay.
All small pleasure yachts should proceed to the Spanish Water anchorage area, as indicated in the procedure below, and travel from there to Willemstad town, via land, to complete clearance.
It is recommended to complete SailClear along with the Immigration forms in advance of your arrival. Remember to make a note of your SailClear Arrival Notification ID.
Arrival after sunset hours is not recommended due to the narrow/shallow entrance of Spanish Water.
On arrival, or when within VHF range, contact Fort Nassau Port Control on VHF Channel 12 (open 24/7). Indicate the purpose of your visit and if an anchoring permit is desired. If planning to berth in a private marina, no anchoring permit is required, but this must be indicated to Port Control.
Fort Nassau Port Control
VHF Channel 12 (24/7)
Phone: 005999 461-4581 (24/7) or 005999 434-5953 (24/7)
A new combined office for Customs and Immigration in Spanish Water will be opening soon.
This new office was scheduled to open on 1 October, 2024 - saving cruisers the hassle of having to travel into Willemstad to undertake clearance. Opening, however, has been delayed, and we will post here as soon as we receive notification from Curacao Ports that the office has indeed opened for business. (August 2025, it is still scheduled to "open soon".)
The new office is located in Santa Barbara, next to Boca 19 bar/restaurant on the Sandals hotel premises. Once it opens, visiting yachts will be permitted to make a short stop at Santa Barbara to clear Immigration and Customs, before proceeding to an anchorage area or marina in Spanish Water.
Inbound opening hours: Mon-Fri, 08:00-18:00hrs and weekend/national holidays 10:00-12:00 & 16:00-18:00.
Port Control should be advised on VHF Ch. 12 that you are stopping at Santa Barbara for clearance, and be informed of your destination marina, or a designated anchorage requested for after completing clearance.
In the meantime....
Until the new office opens in Spanish Water - Santa Barbara - cruisers must proceed to Willemstad to complete clearance procedures with all authorities. Tenders can be left at the public fisherman’s wharf, located at the northwest corner of the harbor in Spanish Water and take either a taxi (30 mins) or a bus (1 hour) to Willemstad. See Transport for details.
The check-in order is: Immigration, Customs and finally the Harbour Master Office.
1. Immigration:
Immigration (and the Harbor Master’s office) are located on the opposite side of the river, beneath the Queen Juliana Bridge (large blue steel bridge). Proceed to the St. Anna Bay swinging bridge to cross the river. If the bridge is open due to a ship entering or exiting the harbor, there will be a free ferry to take you across. Once across the river, follow the main road towards the blue steel bridge. You will come to an entrance to the port area with a guarded gate. You must show your passport to the guard to enter. Once you enter, proceed along the harbor facility until you are directly under the bridge. The blue immigration office is just beyond the bridge behind a fence on your left. There is a gate, but it will be open. For Immigration rules and visa information see the Immigration section. Note: Immigration will need to see all crew members for check-in and check-out formalities.
2. Customs:
Google Maps will direct you to the Customs office (31a Bargestraat, Willemstad) located on the east side of St. Anna Bay - one block from the river. As of September, 2024, the Customs office has moved due to a fire. During this temporary closure, turn to your right and you will see a small, white bridge over an inlet. Cross the bridge and stay to your left. Proceed along the river for about 3 blocks until you see a commercial port. There will be a guard hut at the entrance gate. The temporary office is in the first building on your left inside the entrance. For Customs rules/length of stay see the Customs section.
Required Documents:
Your SailClear Arrival Notification ID and a copy of your Digital Immigration Card and those of your crew (can be shown on your phone or tablet) will need to be shown. If you have pets on board (even if they stay on board), Customs will want to see all their paperwork. For a full list of paperwork required see Curacao Documents.
3. Harbour Master:
If an anchor permit is required, the skipper must go back to the Harbor Master office (next to Immigration) to get an anchor permit within 8 hours of arrival (see notes above on Pre-Arrival requirements).
Opening hours for the Harbor Master's office are:
Mon - Thu: 07.30-11.30 hrs & 13.30-16.00 hrs
Friday: only open until 15.30 hrs
The harbor master’s office is the building adjacent to the blue Immigration building and located at the top of a flight of stairs.
It is here you obtain the anchoring permit for Spanish Water if remaining at anchor – but must have visited Immigration beforehand. Anchoring Permits for Spanish Water are issued for 90 days (3 months).
Required Documents:
The Harbour Master will want to see the Skipper with the passports of all onboard and the inbound form. Immigration will want to see all crew members for check-in and check-out formalities.
All yachts that anchor in Spanish Water must get an anchoring permit from the Harbour Master on check in. This is not required if staying in a marina.
A separate anchor permit is required anytime you leave Spanish Water, obtained from the Harbour Master in Willemstad. This permit is specific to the desired anchorage(s) (for example Klein Curacao) which must be listed on the permit and is valid for 3 nights. Each permit costs $25. See fees for more details.
The Coast Guard may check these permits. If they find you don't have one, they will likely offer you the opportunity to return to Spanish Water and obtain one.
On departure, contact Immigration and Customs within 24 hours of departure.
Outbound: Mon-Fri, 08:00-18:00hrs and weekend/national holidays 10:00-12:00 & 16:00-18:00.
You must call Fort Nassau Port Control on VHF Ch. 12 on departure.
After having cleared out of Curaçao to sail to Aruba, one is technically not allowed to stop anywhere en-route, although the authorities do not seem to mind genuine overnight stops.
See this very useful cruiser's report for more details.
Last updated: August 2025
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