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OCC CRUISING INFORMATION SERVICE
Editor: George Curtis, Blacksmiths Cottage, Aston Tirrold, Oxfordshire, OX11 9DQ, England
Tel/Fax:+44 (0) 1235 850794; e-mail cis@oceancruisingclub.org
Bonaire – Country page
1. Formal requirements for yachts entering from abroad:
Clearance from previous port, certificate of boat registration, valid passports. Crew list and other paperwork is supplied by the local officials.
Note: It is strongly recommended that when clearing in or out you do so at the police station NOT the immigration office. Immigration closes at 17.00, so go to customs after 17.00 and they will refer you to the police station.
There is some confusion about the immigration rules. Bonaire immigration says you are allowed ninety days in any one year in the Dutch Antilles (St Martin, Saba, Statia, Bonaire, Curacao). You can avoid this (and get ninety days) and avoid the very unpleasant immigration official by going to the police station. The boat is cleared in for six months. It is possible to make a written application to extend your stay.
2. Visa requirements:
None for UK or USA citizens, some countries do need visas.
3. Cruising permits and restrictions:
A cruising permit is not required. There is a no anchoring, anywhere, anytime restriction – the whole coast is a national park. Mooring balls are available in front of the main town at US$10 per night. There is also a marina. If you wish to snorkel or dive a permit is required (available from all dive shops), fees are US$25 for diving (one year permit) and less for snorkelling.
4. Formal procedures when departing from one port and entering another:
There is only one port (i.e. place you can stay) Kralendijk.
5. Recommended cruising guides:
The ABC Islands by D Waterson and D van der Reijden. ISBN 0-9552328-0-5
6. Web links providing local cruising information:
7. Some of the Ports of entry:
Kraledijk is the only port.
8. Recommended sources of weather and climate information and reliability:
SSB radio. Chris Parker 8137 USB at 07.00, 8104 USB at 08.30. George 7250 LSB at 07.15 and 7086 LSB at 16.30. All local times.
9. Where to obtain tidal information:
Tides are small but the current around the island can be strong, normally flowing in a west or north west direction.
10: How to contact the search and rescue organisation:
Coastguard:Tel 913; VHF 16
Police: Tel 911
11: Any comments on radio and communications:
There is no formal cruisers’ net but most cruisers listen on VHF channel 77. The marina uses VHF 17.
12. Any comments on emergency and health services:
First world treatment but limited service (this is a small island). A decompression chamber can be contacted by calling 717 8900. Hospital tel 717 8900, ambulance 114 or 717 8000.
13: Any comments on importing spares:
It’s best to use an agent otherwise you end up tangling with customs and a trip to the airport. Goods must be clearly marked “Yacht in transit”. Budget Marine can import most things from St Martin but the freight costs are expensive.
14: General advice, places to go, warnings:
Bonaire is one of the dive capitals of the world. When tied to a buoy there is a reef wall just yards behind your boat. There is a good range of restaurants and shops.
15: Any comments on safety and security:
Bonaire is mainly crime free, the streets are safe. It is best to lift your dinghy at night. There is theft from cars and you are advised to leave nothing in the car and leave it unlocked with a window open. Do not leave dive gear unattended.
The OCC Cruising Information Service is provided by the OCC. The information is supplied to the OCC by members and is for OCC members only. The date given in the above is the date that the members supplying the information visited this place and the information may have changed at any time. The OCC has taken no steps to verify the information, which should be confirmed independently. The OCC accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the information and cannot be held liable for any damage howsoever caused whether directly or indirectly or any consequential losses.
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