Curacao
From CruisersWiki
*** Please remove the below item if you have provided some content material for this page ***
| HELP! This section is lagging behind in development.
|
|---|
| Your assistance is required to develop these pages into a useful resource. Bring out the hidden "cruising guide writer" in you and share your information here (in the true cruising spirit) for all who follow in your wake. |
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Curaçao.
| Curacao
| |
 Map | |
 Flag | |
| Capital | Willemstad |
|---|---|
| Language | Papiamentu, Dutch |
| Currency | Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) |
| Time zone | AST (UTC−4) |
| Calling code | ? |
Add here any background, cruising, and historical comments.
Cruising the region
Add any cruising recommendations. If not applicable delete this section.
Charts
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
Weather
Submit the climate & general weather details here. For very large countries remove this section and cover weather in Region ( Region Template) pages.
Sources of weather forecasting here.
Passages
List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
List islands and island groups belonging to this country. If there is more then 2 paragraphs for a given island, create a dedicated page for it (Island Template and/or Island Group Template).
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Any navigation notes here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Arrival
Two arrival choices:
- Spanish Waters. Follow the chart in and wind your way up the channel. Many places to anchor once you are inside - somewhat like a mini Sydney Harbour. Limiting depth is about 3 m.
- Willemstad. No real limits in terms of draft nor mast height. This harbour is used by cruise ships, tankers and container ships. If the bridge is blocking the entry, radio Harbour Control on VHF 12 and request a bridge opening. This will typically take about 10 or 20 minutes. Once the bridge opens, head directly in to the east, under the vehicular bridge and then hang a right followed by another right. This will bring you into a small inlet which contains Navy, Coast Guard and Curacao Marine. Anchor in front of Curacao Marine or tie up in their small marina.
The first alternative has more yachtie social life but is relatively isolated from everything. The second choice is closer to town but you will need to go in your dinghy or walk about 2 km.
Departure
Details?
Customs and Immigration
Immigration
Has moved as over September 2023! Its now MUCH more convenient. It is now located on the same side of Willemstad inlet as the Customs. Around a 5 minute walk between the two. Go to Immigration BEFORE customs when arriving. When clearing out, again go to Immigration BEFORE customs. Both are open, apparently, until around 9pm . Zero charges for standard entry and departure. The location of Immigration is 4359+J5H, Fort Nassauweg, Willemstad, Curaçao https://goo.gl/maps/4q8DeBBPwViAikSe9
Customs
Located on the south side of the Willemstad inlet in the picturesque historical centre of PUNDA is a 4-storey Customs building with a huge sign saying "Douane". They close at 21:00. Look up for the sign, not ahead! It is basically on a street corner and also on a corner between the Willemstad inlet and a north-south canal that bisects the main inlet. You can tie up for free outside the Customs office. This is an excellent place to moor due to the shoreside bars and restaurants located right there. Just try to arrive late (about sunset or a little before) so you have an excuse to tie up there for the night. Do your Customs paperwork 30 m away and then walk over the floating bridge to do Immigration. Depart late also so you can tie up there and do the European promenade before you leave.
Fees and Charges
Immigration - ZERO.
Customs - ZERO.
Internet in Spanish Waters - US$10 per week.
Extended stay for your boat (entrepot) while you leave the country - US$50 when processed by Curacao Marine. Termination of entrepot status - US$15 when processed by Curacao Marine.
Curacao Marine charge for showers, internet, dinghy dock, etc while you are anchored next to them - US$4 per day. Curacao Marine cost in their marina - US$0.40 per foot per day. Plus electricity, plus water, plus $10 key deposit, plus...
Anchoring cost in Spanish Waters - US$ 25 per 3 months.
Beer on Punda waterfront - US$4 to US$6.
Restrictions
Health and Security
Health
Submit any health warnings/information. Remove any of these sections do not apply to this particular country.
Security
Details?
Berthing
Use this section to name ports and anchorages. Remove this section if this information is covered in Regions pages (above).
Ports
– port of entry || 
– harbour || 
– marina || 
– anchorage || 
– needs data ||Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Use this section only if there are few marinas not covered in pages under Ports and Islands above. Remove if not applicable.
Anchorages
There is only a limited number of anchorages that you are officially allowed to use, and each anchorage requires a separate anchoring permit, obtained in person from the Harbour Master.
For a full list of official anchorages: https://www.spendlifetraveling.com/sailing-in-curacao/
Transportation
List transportation to other countries, etc.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Curacao at the Wikipedia
References
Books, Guides, etc. Use the Reference template or not at your discretion. For example:
-
{{Reference|Rod Heikel|Greek Waters Pilot|Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire|9780852889718}}, expands to - Rod Heikell, Greek Waters Pilot Imray, Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889718
- Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
- Author, Title, Publisher, ISBN ISBN number
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?
If you provide a lot of info and this page is almost complete, change {{Page outline}} to {{Page useable}}.
| This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
|---|
|
Names: Lighthouse, Haiqu, Pincoya |
