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

Curacao - 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.

Yachts must anchor in Spanish Water and take the bus into the capital Willemstad for clearance. The process of clearing in/out can take four or five hours including travel time. You must visit customs, immigration and the port authority (next to immigration). Note: taxis are very expensive.

The boat is cleared in for six months and you are usually given ninety days on the immigration visa but some officials take off time spent in Bonaire. 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 required: you must state the anchoring area you are in in Spanish Water and if you wish to visit other anchorages you must get a permit for specific anchorages on specific dates (they will not issue a blanket permit).

4. Formal procedures when departing from one port and entering another:

See above.

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:

Spanish Water is the only place you can anchor before clearing in and getting a permit (see above). Willemstad is the only clearance 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.

Also, there is a cruisers’ net on VHF72 at 07.45 that usually has a weather forecast.

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 VHF 16 and CITRO (a well equipped voluntary organisation) 913; or VHF 16. Police: Tel 911

11: Any comments on radio and communications:

Cruisers use VHF 72 for calling.

12. Any comments on emergency and health services:

First world treatment. A decompression chamber can be contacted by calling 463 7457. Hospital tel 910, ambulance tel 912.

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 capital. Goods must be clearly marked “Yacht in transit”. A company named Marine Warehouse, in Spanish Water, can order and ship goods from the USA.

14: General advice, places to go, warnings:

Spanish Water is rather remote but there are free shopping buses that go to three supermarkets and Budget marine. To get the most out of the island it is worth hiring a car. Curacao is a good place to provision.

15: Any comments on safety and security:

Curacao is mainly crime free, the streets are safe. It is best to lift your dinghy at night.

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.