The Netherlands Antilles are located in the Windward Islands and the Lesser Islands. Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Saba are in Windward Islands and Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire in the Lesser Islands.
Curacao is a long, arid, and generally flat island, stretching some 40 miles (64 km) from southeast to northwest, at much the same north-south angles as it's sister islands in the ABC group (Aruba (45 nm) to the west and Bonaire (27 nm) to the east). Curacao is about 10 miles (16 km) at it's widest point, and the area is about 180 square miles (472 square km), making it the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles group. At approx 480 nm from Sint Maarten.
The coastline along the south is irregular, peppered with small bays and inlets, including the spectacular bays and beaches at the west end of the island. The largest bays are located along the central-east and east end of the island, where you'll find the capital and major port of Willemstad. Most of Curacao's 130,000 residents live in and around this historic town. The long north coast of the Curacao, buffeted by constant northeast trade winds, is characterized by a rough coastline, limestone cliff formations set on top of eons-old volcanic rock, and weather-beaten terrain. It is generally less inhabited than the south coast of Curacao.
Spansh Water entrance waypoint: N 12' 03.75 - W 68' 51.15 -
Willemstad entrance waypoint N 12' 06.1 - W 65' 51.3 - VHF 12 Fort Nassau
Small Curacao is an uninhabited island too the east of Curacao at N 12'00.4 - W 86'39.2
Do not anchor in any bay or beach except Piscadera Bay, Fuik Bay, Spaanse Water or Klein Curacao. The information in the ABC Cruising Guide is good but the rules have changed.
Because Curacao has the second largest natural deep water port in the world and is located below the hurricane belt, Curacao is a perfect destination with good airline connections to Europa and the United States.
Customs office is located in the Annabaai in Curacao, at Punda at a corner, north of the floating bridge and west of the floating market, left side when you enter the Annabaai.
Visit customs as soon as possible after arriving within 24 hours. We will be able to help you when you are arriving in for example Spanish Warer.
They are opened 24 hours a day. You can download the customs document which you can use to speed up the proces.
Immigration's office is located on the opposite side of the customs office under the bridge, you can use the pontoon bridge to cross. Europeans, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zeeland and Japan citizen will receive a 90 days permit. Visitors from all other countries will have 30 days. Extencion of those 30 days need to be requested at least 10 days before termination date of the first permit. Immigation document can be downloaded here. More information can be requested.