As the pandemic took over in February 2020, Noonsite began publishing a list of COVID-19 restrictions being implemented at ports of entry around the world as the rules for crew arriving on private recreational craft were radically different than those for air and land travelers. This list was maintained and updated for two and a half years, as and when rules changed and new protocols for yachts were introduced. See:

COVID-19: Open/Closed Countries

This list was finally archived in August 2022 when the world had moved into a new stage of living with COVID and the majority of countries had re-opened.

To find out if any Covid-related travel restrictions still exist in the country you want to visit, use the above document to easily get to the biosecurity section for that country where any rules will be outlined.

Every-Changing Rules for Yachts During the Pandemic: A Brief History

At the beginning of the pandemic rules for yacht arrivals in most countries ranged from mandatory health checks, to lists of banned countries and in some cases quarantine. As the crisis deepened more severe measures were introduced and ultimately maritime borders were closed – March 2020 being the month when the majority of countries worldwide shut their doors.

Lockdown measures slowly began to ease in a number of countries in Spring 2020 and by July European countries started opening up as did parts of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Unfortuantely by August, many countries saw an increase in Covid-19 infections and rules began tightening up once again.

As Autumn/Fall 2020 approached the predicted “second wave” started to strike, and the world situation continued to change with entry regulations in a constant state of flux. Pacific cruisers unable to move on (Australia and NZ being closed) had to remain in the Islands causing a bottle neck that was expected to get worse as more cruising boats migrated that way in 2021. As it turned out French Polynesia tightened up restrictions and the majority of those intending to cross the Pacific stayed put in Mexico and the Caribbean. Caribbean cruising was possible in early 2021, albeit it with strict protocols and lockdowns, and these continued throughout the year.

Autumn 2021 brought new strains of Covid-19, and as Omicron emerged entry rules continued to change and tighten up in many places.  By the end of 2021 the majority of countries required all travelers to submit negative Covid test results taken before arrival, regardless of vaccination status.

The start of 2022 saw swift change and as mid-2022 approached many countries that had been closed for over 24 months started to open up. Those that have been open for a while were in many cases easing restrictions and in some cases removing Covid-19 health controls completely. By mid 2022 the vast majority of countries had removed restictions altogether. Most of the small Pacific nations were the last countries to open their borders, Tonga and the Marshall Islands being 2 of the last at the end of September and Japan not opening until October 2022.

Noonsite’s Map (see blue pin icon on right hand side of Noonsite page – only available to subscribers)
This is an easy way to navigate around Noonsite and find out port and country information worldwide. It also shows open ports (marked green), ports of entry (marked orange), marinas and boatyards. The map is also a great place to share your favorite anchorages with other Noonsite users.

See accordians below for COVID-19 reports (including a great many field reports from cruisers around the world), news and useful Covid related links.

Initiatives to Help Cruisers during COVID-19:

• Retreat from Paradise
  The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 created unprecedented chaos for coastal and ocean cruisers worldwide. Daria Blackwell reports on how the Ocean Cruising Club responded to support the cruising community as a whole (not just their own members). An excellent insight into, not only, how the OCC operates, but also into how many organisations and individuals were involved in making sure cruisers worldwide were kept informed and could passage safely last year as borders around the world were closing shut.
• Caribbean Yachting Protocols 2020/21
• Seven Seas Cruising Association You Tube Channel
  The SSCA are running a number of FREE webinars covering routes and countries that cruisers are heading to now and in the near future, discussing the status of borders and options for cruising boats this season. So far Pacific/Asia, US to Caribbean, Caribbean/Panama/Atlantic; Galapagos and Trinidad have been covered. All are recorded for viewing anytime you want. Some very useful and interesting discussions here.
• SSCA Webinars to Help Prepare for the Cruising Season Ahead
• Indian Ocean/South Africa: Covid Chaos Africa-style!
  How land-based cruisers in South Africa proved to be crucial for cruisers of nationalities that were not helped in any way by their embassies and their relentless efforts in negotiating with the South African government to open the door for cruisers and create a safe passage into the Atlantic.
• South Pacific: Australia and New Zealand Refuse Cyclone Refuge for Yachts (19 September, 2020)
• Pacific Ocean Lockdown: What are the Options?
• Supply/Refuge Ports for the Indian Ocean 
• Crossing the Atlantic to Europe: List of open ports for supplies/fuel/emergency
• Transatlantic Support for ALL Cruisers in 2020 (27 April, 2020)
• Caribbean Marine Associations Helping Cruisers (07 April, 2020)
• Connecting cruisers in the time of Covid 19 (01 April, 2020)
• Caribbean to USA: Salty Dawgs Announce the Homeward Bound Flotilla (27 March, 2020)

See more Useful Resources, Reports and News below.

We cannot thank enough the cruising organisations, Noonsite users, Government departments and marine businesses that have supported Noonsite with COVID-19 updates as and when they happen (and continue to do so) – in particular, the SSCA representative Joan Conover and Ocean Cruising Club members.