Bermuda - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
October 2022
- All travellers arriving October 25, 2022 onwards, will no longer require a pre-travel test, arrival test nor a day 4 test.
- You no longer need to be vaccinated to enter Bermuda, but unvaccinated non-resident travellers will still be required to upload valid proof of travel health insurance to enter Bermuda.
- Up to and including October 24, the requirements at the following link apply to visitors arriving in Bermuda – https://www.gov.bm/mariners-travel-authorisation
- Travel authorisation (TA) MUST be completed prior to arrival in Bermuda (with the necessary certificates uploaded). Access TA via the above link.
- TA costs are $40, which includes return testing if necessary.
- Upon arrival in St George’s Harbor yachts should proceed either to the Customs Yacht Reporting Centre dock at Ordnance Island or they will be directed to anchor in Powder Hole on the southern side of St. George’s Harbour by Bermuda Radio.
- During Customs clearance all crew will be evaluated by a Port Health Officer.
- All crew will be required to fill in a Maritime Declaration of Health.
- Important: If you arrive in Bermuda have not completed the TA prior to arrival, you will not be permitted to leave your boat.
Our thanks to Bermuda Maritime Operations Center for keeping Noonsite updated throughout the Pandemic.
Contacts:
- If mariners have specific questions which cannot be answered by following the above links the health Department hotline can be contacted by telephone on (441) 444-2498 or sending a message using the following link https://www.gov.bm/contact/40366/1156
- Senior Customs Officer, Mrs. Carla Burgess, can be contacted at cburgess@gov.bm
- Bermuda Radio is on VHF 16 or 27.
- Somers Supermarket in St. Georges ( (441) 297-1177 / somers@supermart.bm) deliver to the dinghy dock at St. Georges just opposite the Customs office.
Resources:
- https://www.gov.bm/are-you-mariner
- https://www.gov.bm/mariners-travel-authorisation
- http://www.marops.bm/sailbda.aspx
- www.gov.bm/healthinformation
- Maritime Declaration of Health
- Bermuda Tourism Authority – information for travelers
Reports:
History:
- On 17 March, 2020, a travel ban was introduced for visitors coming from China, Iran, Italy and Korea.
- On 18 March, the seaport closed. Yachts were still able to stop in Bermuda but a 14 day quarantine on arrival was imposed.
- On 20 March airports closed.
- On 04 April Bermuda went into lockdown [Bermuda Government ‘Shelter at Home’ Order] for 14 days and yachts were recommended to stay away.
- During April, May and June yachts were asked to avoid Bermuda if at all possible, but if coming only to stay a max. of 72 hours.
- At the start of September, 2020, protocols were introduced for visiting yachts where negative tests were accepted in place of quarantine, as well as the other current regulations in place today.
- In October 2022 testing requirements were removed.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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We arrived May 1, 2019. I was surprised that at 1:00 AM Bermuda Harbor Radio would arrange for someone from immigration to be there to check us in. It was a calm night, so sorting out the Ordnance Island dockage was not too confusing. We then anchored in Powder Hole and we were able to secure a spot on the quay the next morning through Bermuda Yacht Services. ($1 foot). Gotta love Bermuda.
November 2018
St George’s
Head tax is 35USD
We docked at the cruise terminal — same rate as the town dock. Use a batter board! Seems like this is kosher as long as there is no cruise ship in port. Cruise ships are relatively rare in St George. (Meanwhile the ferry terminal is quite busy).
There is a duty-free fuel option which is supposedly available if you get a group of boats together to achieve the minimum amount required. You can also try to flag down the duty-free fuel truck if you see them.
We were told that Dowling’s sold water at 0.25USD/gal…which is only valid if you buy fuel, too. If you buy water (and NO fuel), the rate is increased to 0.35USD/gal.
It is easy to get around the island on the bus. You can buy a book of bus tickets at the post office. You can also buy bus tokens at the tourism office (? unsure).
As of November 2017, we were not asked to provide a consumable stores list or crew list. All food is ok so long as it stays on the boat. Do bring the completed Declaration of Health form with you (or complete it in the office). All crew need to come into the office and complete a customs form and present their passport.
Normally most countries require an outgoing clearance document from last port of call. If you leave the Bahamas bound for Bermuda Customs and immigration in i.e. Nassau charged us 75 USD for an outgoing clearance. When we arrived in St Georges harbour on Bermuda for clearance the officers said the Cruising Permit from the Bahamas had been good enough as an outgoing document from the Bahamas. So lesson learned is to skip a special outgoing document from Customs and immigration in Nassau and save 75 USD.
The cost for clearing into Bermuda is $35 per person. It’s possible Martyn was incorrectly charged last year as he had 4 people on board then, however, the cost this year is correct.
The cost of clearing into Bermuda is now $140 for a sailing yacht with 4 people on board.
(Last year it was $35!)
The Yacht Centre on Ordnance Island now offers free wifi to all yachtsmen in or outside their office.
You can get a 5% discount at the supermarket by stating that you are on a boat.