Barcadera entrance - 12°28.85'N, 70°00.56'W
Oranjstad South Entrance 12°30.50'N, 70°02.30'W

Entry requirements

You have to check in and out even for 24 hours. We understand they were quite strict about this and moved boats on who would not comply, as well as giving them a thorough inspection.
Transit requirements (departing one port, entering another)


Beware of the buoyage for Barcadera the buoys
are ISLA A red to Port, Green to
Starboard. In Oranjstad South Entrance ISLA B Red light returning. (November 2009)

Aruba is a separate country
from the ABC Islands and has its own currency. They
do not accept Antillian Guilders from Curacao.
US dollars are accepted.

Some people rave about Aruba, but it was not for us, based on tourism, It seemed to cater for people wanting shopping malls, Casino’s, and loads of entertainment

Recommended cruising guides

Free downloadable cruising guides by Frank Virgintino
A Cruising Guide to the ABC Islands
http://freecruisingguides.com/abc-islands

A good cruising guide is Gotto Go Cruising, The ABC Islands distributed by Compass Consultants Ltd PO Box 62 St Peter Port Guernsey UK

Barcadera entrance
Approximate waypoint for Barcadera entrance 012 28 846N 070 00 56W Bardera you tie up to a wharf, about 2.2 metres depth or outside one of the Venezualan fishing boats, and walk 50 yards to Customs and Immigration. Once cleared you are free to anchor at the various anchorages. We found that we did not need an anchoring permit. Probably best to proceed outside the reefs, instead of proceeding along the inland passages. You are supposed to take your vessel back to check out to the Port of Entry, but we used our dinghy and had no problem.Barcadera opening hours were 6.00.a.m. until 10.p.m

Oranjstad South Entrance
Approximate waypoint for Oranjstad South Entrance 012 30 50N 070 02 300W At Oranjstad, you check into the cruise ship terminal which is designed for larger vessels, so would recommend Barcadera. Popular Anchorage is the Airport anchorage by the Oranjstad South Entrance. Reasonably good holding, and half a mile to the town where there is a dinghy dock in the South Eastern part of the harbour by the Sport Fishing boats, Diesel is also available there. For Petrol you need to use a filling station about 400 yards away. Understand Water is available at the Fuel Berth., All enquires to the Renaissance Marina Office in the parade of shops behind the Berths. They also have a refuge disposal place as well.