Willemstad - Clearance
General Clearance:
All small pleasure yachts should proceed to Spanish Water anchorage area as indicated in the procedure at Curacao/Clearance, and travel from there to town to clear in.
You must check in within 24 hours of your arrival (and obtain an anchoring permit within 8 office hours of arrival from the Harbor Master’s office). Officials appreciate you clearing first with SailClear which speeds up the process considerably.
Location of offices:
- Customs: “Douane” are now back in their permanent place on the corner (take the 6A bus from Spanish Waters).
- Harbour immigration: (green building) is at Otra-Banda, over the floating bridge to the right, directly under the high bridge. If walking over from Customs via the floating bridge, you can get to Immigration by going through the cruise ship entrance (approx. a 25 minute walk). If you are driving, there is a gate on the eastern side near the giant tanks. Note – all crew must go to Immigration.
- Harbour Inspection: will issue an anchoring permit. They are located up the stairs from Immigration on the left (no signage).
Open Mon – Thu: 07.30-11.30 hrs & 13.30-16.00 hrs
Friday: only open until 15.30 hrs
They will ask you to mark where you are anchored. Be sure to take all your documents. You should be in one of the permitted anchorages. - Immigration: The office (Harbour Police) is located under Queen Juliana Bridge. It should not be confused with the immigration counter at the post office, which is for immigrants, not yacht crews.
Last updated: April 2023
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Related to following destinations: Curacao, Willemstad
Port Navigation
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All the crew need to be at Immigration
Opening hours of Harbour Inspection/ Port Authority:
Mo-Thu 7:30-11:45. 1:30-4:30
Fri. 7:30-11:45. 1:30-4:00
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Be aware there is a (poorly marked) reef just before the entry of Curacao Marine Boatyard. Make sure you stay to the left of the Versali Bay and keep the white buoy to your starboard side!.