Barbados - Clearance
PRE-ARRIVAL
Use SailClear to submit information about your voyage to Customs and Immigration at least 24 hours before arrival or departure. Keep a copy of the SailClear confirmation.
For a full explanation of SailClear and other web clearance services in the Caribbean see report: Eastern Caribbean Cruising: Clearance Procedures Simplified
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
Advance Notification:
Yachts approaching the island are requested to call the “Signal Station” on VHF Channel 12 and inform the Radio Operator of their intention.
Ports of Entry:
Barbados complies with the IALA B Maritime Buoyage System so port lateral marks and lights are colored green and starboard lateral marks and lights are colored red, which means the red buoys are to starboard when entering a port.
Arrivals must proceed directly to the Port of Entry and contact the authorities on VHF Channel 16 or 12 for directions on where to dock. Boats are not allowed to anchor and dinghy ashore, as officials will want a visual of the boat. All crew must remain on board until clearance is complete.
Clearance hours are from 0600 – 2200, 7 days per week (however, in reality you may find certain authorties have gone home at 5pm and you’ll have to come back the next day).
There are two ports of entry:
Port St Charles: This is the more boat-friendly port at which to clear in. This is a private residential port complex and there are no facilities apart from a yacht club.
Bridgetown: Cruise ships and mega-yachts take priority here, and if you arrive here in the afternoon when the cruise ships move in and out of port you may be circling outside the harbor for several hours. Facilities for yachts in Bridgetown are basic. You will be moored alongside a concrete wall in the commercial harbor with industrial fittings suited to tankers and cruise ships. Climbing up onto the dock is difficult.
Skippers requiring further information should contact the Harbour Master at 246 434 6100 (Office) or the Signal Station on VHF CH 12 or telephone number 246 434 6102.
The Barbados Customs’ rule that yachts must clear in and out of the same Customs station no longer applies.
General Process:
Customs:
On arrival the following documents should be presented:
- Proof of SailClear.
- Three copies of the form C61 (obtainable from the Customs office)
- Clearance from the last Port of Call
- Crew list (one copy)
Customs will want to know if you have any spirits, wine or tobacco on the boat, but are unlikely to come and search.
Immigration:
Immigration will want to see:
- Crew list (two copies)
- Passports of all crew
Health Officer:
- One copy of the health report.
DOMESTIC CRUISING
Any vessel wanting to cruise or anchor along the coast must obtain permission from the Customs Boarding Officer and the Harbour Master’s office, preferably on arrival at the time of reporting. Subsequent contact requesting such permission can be made by contacting the Boarding Officer at telephone number 246 430 2355 or on VHF Channel 16.
Cruising permits are normally available from Customs, as authorised by the Harbour Master, for the entire coastline of the island, on a daily basis and are necessary for safety and security. Captains must inform the Coast Guard of cruising outside of the West Coast for their own safety.
CLEARING OUT
Domestic Clearance:
Visiting any other areas outside the Port of Clearance requires permission from Customs and Port Authority, and they will require a copy of your schedule.
Subsequent contact requesting such permission can be made by contacting the Boarding Officer at telephone number 246 430 2355 or on VHF Channel 16.
International Clearance:
This requires a visit to all 3 offices so give yourself plenty of time.
- First visit the Port Authority who will issue Barbados Port Clearance (0500-1300 and 1600-2400) on paying the anchorage/clearance fee.
- Customs will want to see a copy of the Port Authority Clearance and a copy of the crew list, and will then issue final clearance from the country.
- Immigration requires a copy of the crew list and all passports.
Outward clearance is valid for 24 hours after it has been granted.
Barbados Yacht Masters Guide (by Barbados Ports)
Last updated: February 2024
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hello,
do not go to the customs wharf at the Port of Bridgetown.
it is dangerous for the boat and for the crew.
the port is not made for small boats (less than 20m).
there is no pontoon to disembark.
do not show up at the vhf.
disembark with the dinghy and walk to the passenger port.
Feedback from Darren Macgregor:
Hey folks,
Just an update on a recent arrival in Barbados from Mindelo after 16 days at sea solo sailing.
For the record, I’m not vaccinated, I’m not anti vaccine, I just haven’t had it done yet….
I arrived in Barbados after 16 days at sea, arrival in Bridgetown in the large ferry terminal commercial port. Not ideal for yachts coming alongside but manageable. No doubt there is enough on the website from many other cruisers about this situation.
My experience is to share the covid requirements. Clearly if you are double vaccinated or have a valid / recent pcr test (valid being within three days, recent being last port of call after xx duration days isolated days at sea) then entry is not a problem. It seems to take less than an hour before being released to go to the anchorage.
I had none. I was tied up for 30 hours before eventually seeing a doctor to give me a covid test. It should have been a full PcR at cost but ended, with conversation, being a lateral flow test. With that all clear I was stamped and entry allowed.
The cruise liners are busy with covid, one arriving with some 300 cases and being refused entry for passengers ( as I was told by the port authorities).
I saw several boats arrive and depart the port for anchorage all without issue if they had vaccine records.
In summary it seems, be vaccinated for clear passage.
Regards
Darren
Currently, because of covid situation, clearing is only possible in Bridgetown. (Port St. Charles sent me here).
If you have been at sea for 21 days or have a negative PCR test with you, you only need to take one test.
If you don’t have a negative test, then their protocol is to take two tests: one upon arrival, and another one in 5 days, and you are not allowed to leave until the second test.
This information changes constantly, so I would recommend contacting Barbados Ministry of Health for the most current information.
Thanks so much for this update – it’s very helpful.
For a European boat/crew clearing in/out at Port St Charles the only fee we had to pay was BBD100 to the Port Captain on departure.
Repair in Barbados is not easy. There are too few places you can buy spare parts, but MPS (Marin Power Solutions) close to the Barbados yacht club, are very helpful and try their best to get you parts. Propane is easy to fill at Rubis gas station. There is also one more place to fill gas. You can buy diesel at the fishing harbour, but the dock is not that good so jerry cans can be better. There are many jet skies that come very close sometimes, these are tourists so most off them can’t handle a jet ski.
Posted on behalf of Gijs Klumper:
Barbados is a very laid-back Island.
Security: This does not seem to be an issue in Barbados. No pirogues or boat-boys. Very little poverty. Honest fishermen and friendly people. Enjoy the local culture! I never locked the boat and at anchor never took the dinghy on board at night. Nor did anyone else. Mooring in the center of Bridgetown, a “suspect” vagabond only wanted to assist with the landlines and didn’t ask for anything. Safe haven.
Clearance: I read the noonsite info. and comments. I checked in (easy!) at Port St. Charles and checked out at Bridgetown (difficult).
We simply anchored off, took the dinghy ashore and cleared in at our leisure, no problem. On checking out one must carry cash (US$50) for harbor fees because there is no ATM and credit cards are not accepted.
And lastly, philosophically from me and concerning all the Windward/Leeward Islands. Please, please, please be color blind! White yacht-owners sticking together and off-hand distrusting the local people will NOT make this world a better place. Acting like a (valued) guest is the way to go. You will be invited to reggae/beach parties and have lots of fun. Or else you will be up all night guarding your dinghy which won’t be stolen if you had made local friends in the first place.
Shallow Draft Marina fully operational in Bridgetown. However, fully booked by rallies for all of December.
This comment was posted by “Delphinius” elsewhere on noonsite on January 28 2016:
We arrived in Barbados at 2 am after an Atlantic crossing. We went straight to Carlisle Bay and dropped anchor (and slept), then later that morning proceeded to the cruise terminal to sign in. It can be tricky to moor for yachts as it is designed for large ships. We found a decent gap by the small building on the far starboard side of the harbor, otherwise, we have heard of people mooring against tugs. The officials did not seem at all concerned that we took 12 hours to check in, and were extremely courteous and friendly.
They didn’t ask to see our boat so I guess, with a decent outboard, you could take your tender around to sign in (I have heard other reports of this but not witnessed anyone doing it). We have found Barbados to be a wonderful place with wonderful friendly locals. We are still here 20 days later!