Yachting
Yachting is popular in the Caribbean, and its unique, sheltered location, makes Curaçao a very attractive yachting destination. Furthermore, Curaçao offers all services needed by yacht-travelers, including a wide range of auxiliary facilities such as sea rescue services, hauling out and dry storage, provisioning and shopping, medical facilities, and many more.
Most yachts visiting Curaçao, anchor in the large, safe and naturally sheltered Spanish Water Bay. The bay area offers a range of facilities and other conveniences. Curaçao furthermore offers excellent boatyard facilities.
Yachts are permitted to stay for a maximum of six months, unless registered in Curaçao. Upon arrival, the captain must present valid papers at the harbor office and must then proceed to register all passengers at the Immigration Office. At the Customs Office, a duty of 11.5% of the cif-value of imported goods, as well as, an additional 2% sales tax must be paid. Restricted goods, such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, etc. must be declared. Customs Officers will pick up the restricted goods at the yacht and take them into custody for the length of stay. Upon checking out, they will be delivered back to the boat.
Marina’s and Facilities
Curaçao Yacht Club
The Curaçao Yacht Club is open to members only, but offers bunkering of diesel fuel and gasoline to all yachts. The club offers piers that can accommodate yachts of varying sizes. Water and electricity are available. Dockage fees are based on the size of the vessel. For more information visit www.curacaoyachtclub.com
Curaçao Marine Boatyard
Curaçao Marine is a 25,000 square meter yard with a capacity of 140+ dry berths and 40+ marina berths with 110V/220V shore connections. The yard is situated in the Schottegat Harbour (GPS pos: N 12 06.5 W 068 55.3).Curaçao Marine does slipway towing. With a hydraulic Roodberg towed slipway trailer it is possible to haul both mono and multi hull yachts up to 60 tons. Like with the smaller 40 ton trailer your yacht will be supported by large soft pads. For more information visit www.curacaomarine.com
Kima Kalki Marina
A small, safe marina for yachts up to 80 ft with electricity and water located in a well-protected bay at Spanish Water. Showers, toilets, telephone, internet, airport and supermarket shuttle bus services. Sailmaker and mechanical services. Customs and immigration clearance. For more information email kimakalki@gmail.com
Royal Marine Services
Royal Marine Services offers marina and boat yard facilities, including Haul and Launch (travel lift). The facilities include a Bar and Grill, a private parking lot and is 10 minutes from the Hato Airport, 15 minutes from spectacular beaches and 10 minutes from prestigious hotels. For more information email royalmsc@gmail.com
Seru Boca Marina
At Seru Boca Marina there are two piers at the end of the two main docks that can accommodate vessels of varying lengths. The main dock has its own finger pier for easy access onto a vessel docked in the slip. There are floating slips for 128 vessels up to 150 feet in length. The slips have power and water availability and the marina offers 24-hour security. Dockage fees are based upon the size of the vessel and include privileges at Sta. Barbara Resort’s private beach, Barbara Beach, with free access to the beach pier and Fuik Bay. For more information visit www.santabarbaraplantation.com
Willemstad
Docking in the St. Anna Bay, at the Handelskade or the Mathey Wharf, is possible upon special request. Requests must be directed to the Harbor Master. Curaçao Dry-Dock offers facilities for repairs and dry dockage.
Customs and Immigration
Upon arrival, the captain of the yacht must visit:
- The Immigration Office to register all members and crew
- The Customs Office to declare goods
- The Harbor Master to clear in the ship and get an anchoring permit
For these visits, the following has to be presented:
- The ship’s registration papers
- The passports of all crew members and other travelling members
- The clearing papers from the last port of call
Maximum duration of stay:
Yachts can stay for a maximum of 6 months (only with crew). Foreign crew can stay for a maximum of 180 days.
Entrepot storage:
Yachts (without crew) can be stored for an unlimited time at the following entrepot areas:
- Curaçao Marine Service- St Anna Bay, Willemstad
- Royal Marine Services – Piscadera Bay
- Seru Boca Marina – Spanish Waters
Yacht Registration
Yachts may be registered in Curaçao if the owner is either a natural person residing, or a corporation established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or in the European Union. The following documents are required for registration of the yacht:
- An international tonnage certificate issued by the administration
- A bill of sale
- A statement of ownership
- A judge’s declaration that the vessel qualifies as an Antillean vessel
In addition, information concerning the VHF radio installation must be submitted for issuance of a ship VHF radio license. A provisional Certificate of Registry may first be issued for a period of three months.
The nationality requirements mentioned above may be met by engaging the services of a local trust company or a notary office, which consequently establishes a limited liability company (NV). The most important licenses when incorporating an NV, are the business license from the Island Executive Council, permitting the corporation to act in Curaçao, a manager’s license for a non-Antillean Managing Director and a work and residence permit for the Managing Director, even though the individual lives on the yacht. The notary will also take care of registering the company at the Curaçao Chamber of Commerce & Industry. For more information on establishing companies, visit the Chamber of Commerce website at www.curacao-chamber.cw
Carving
Carving of the official number must take place under supervision of an official from the shipping administration or a surveyor from one of the classification societies. Application for a permanent registration certificate can be made when the carving has been completed. Call-signs are issued together with the (provisional) Certificate of Registry. For more information, contact the CPO offices.