Jolly Harbour - Clearance

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See the main Antigua Formalities page for full details on clearance into and out of the country. The eSeaClear system is in operation here.

Note: The Head of customs in Jolly Harbour has indicated that all persons are still required to wear a face mask when conducting business and to fulfill the port health requirements as well.

Aerial view of New Port of Entry dock with dinghy landing at Jolly Harbour Marina
New Port of Entry dock with dinghy landing.

General clearance:

It has been reported that officials in Jolly Harbour do not respond to any hails on any VHF channel, though Channel 68 is recommended as the hailing channel.

Customs, Immigration, and the Port Authority have a newly built designated dock which is situated adjacent to the Superyacht Terminal. The Port of Entry dock is well-marked with a sign.  The dock lights, flag, and building are all yellow.

The whole boat must report, either with the vessel or in the dinghy, to the yellow customs house in Jolly Harbour. There is dock space for approx. 2-3 boats.

The offices are open daily (in general) from 08:30-16:00,

No yacht may enter the harbor after 18:00.

Clearance is also available at Jolly Harbour Marina and Boatyard.

You are required to clear out within 12 – 24 hours of your departure time.

International clearance:

Yachts arriving here from a foreign port are expected to go directly to this dock for a visual inspection and to clear in. If you have a large yacht, go directly to the Superyacht Terminal. If the offices are closed, please stay on the clearance dock until all paperwork has been completed.

Be sure to clear in within 24 hours of your arrival.

Skippers that pre-cleared with eSeaClear have reported not having a problem with anchoring and taking the dinghy to the clearance dock.

Note: Officials do not use the radio here.

Last updated:  April 2022

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Jolly Harbour was last updated 4 months ago.

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  1. June 12, 2024 at 10:23 AM
    emmadymock says:

    Jolly Harbour now has a catamaran travelift

  2. February 6, 2020 at 7:56 PM
    Sail360 says:

    Feb 6 2020. Anchored outside the Harbor and dingy in to customs immigration Port Authority we had completed the pre eSeaclear and WAS NOT required to bring my boat (44 foot catamaran) to customs immigration Port Authority dock. I was asked four times if I have a Antigua courtesy flag. Make sure you check in within 24 hours!

  3. October 25, 2018 at 5:23 PM
    Data Entry says:

    April/ May 2018
    We went straight to customs and immigration and moored our boat on the pontoon outside the office, it cost $40 EC to clear in. We then anchored in Mosquito Cove on the left as you come into the harbour, excellent holding, seems to be sand with some weed, it’s very silted so you won’t be able to see your anchor . You do get some wash from the boats coming down the channel but it’s not too bad.

    Laundry service is just outside the boatyard attached to the boatyard building. 35 EC a load .

    Epicurean supermarket next to the marina, it’s well stocked and they also do hot take away food at lunch time. Sandwiches and salads.

    You can walk to Jolly Beach, down the side of the marina.

    Bus number 20 and 22 go to St Johns. Price 3.25 EC Per person.

    Bus to English Harbour goes from St Johns , number 17 and costs 3.75 EC per person

    Buses run until “late” around 10pm or 11pm . the drivers didn’t seem quite sure! I think they go home when they’ve had enough.

    We had some steel work done by David in the yard. He was very reasonable but we had to chase him up a fair bit, he’s very busy and works all hours. He did get the job done on time.

  4. April 16, 2018 at 12:03 PM
    Data Entry says:

    Are You sure? Ivan is the worst man I ever known. He claimed me 10.400,00 just to do a mistake with the transmission and it is just one year that I cannot use the boat. If you want I can send all documents about this case and soon I will open a blog to inform all sailors community. But your comment, seems to be a commercial comment, or not?

  5. August 14, 2017 at 7:17 PM
    Data Entry says:

    We are now back in Antigua after finishing our circumnavigation, currently anchored at the entrance to Jolly Harbour. We had a problem with our watermaker and needed a new part. We thought that it would not be easy to get this part here, but my husband Onni met Ivan De Souza and Ivan was able to help us within 2 hours to get the right part, driving to St John’s and delivering it so quickly.

    We would highly recommend XTREME MARINE ANTIGUA, run by Ivan, who specialize in a diesel engine, petrol, and outboard repairs, and obviously, are able to take care of specific problems as well!!
    Phone: (1)268 464 4826
    E-mail: ivan@xtrememarineantigua.com
    Web: http://www.xtrememarineantigua.com
    Very many thanks to Ivan for this great service.

    Cheers
    Elizabeth and Onni Johannsson
    S. Y. Elonnisa

  6. December 28, 2014 at 3:36 PM
    Data Entry says:

    Posted on behalf of Erik Roll, SY Senseless (USA):

    Just cleared in at Jolly Harbour on 12/20/2014. The process took 3 hours.

    3 offices, Customs, Immigration, and Port Authority. Official opening hour was 8 am, but only Immigration was there on time. Port Authority was 1 and 1/2 hour late and left after 15 minutes to go for breakfast.
    You need to enter all data including crew list into the eSeaClear system. Then they print the information out on forms which are signed and manually processed by each department.

    The officials are friendly and cooperative, but the system is inefficient. Smile you are on Island time.