Arriving in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by yacht involves Customs and Immigration clearance before the island cruise begins. The available locations range from mainland harbours to Grenadine anchorages and marinas, with different arrival arrangements. Send us your yacht, crew, route and timing details and we’ll connect your enquiry with a suitable local yacht-clearance partner.
Choosing a clearance location here also means choosing how the first part of your island itinerary will work. Local assistance brings the entry arrangements, yacht status and people aboard into one plan.
A leeward-coast arrival, a Blue Lagoon berth and a southern Grenadines passage need different arrangements. A local partner can assess the proposed first stop and establish where the yacht and everyone aboard will complete their arrival formalities.
Private cruising, charter operations and the admission of crew involve different requirements in SVG. Reviewing the vessel’s use and people aboard together helps identify the relevant cruise tax, charter licence and Immigration matters before they affect the itinerary.
A final night in the Tobago Cays is different from a final clearance stop. A local partner can fit outward formalities into the itinerary, account for crew changes and coordinate the relevant office attendance before the yacht leaves SVG.
Having the core records ready helps the agent assess the voyage efficiently.
Customs deals with the vessel and declarable goods; Immigration handles the people aboard. Port, marina and marine-park arrangements add local requirements to those national formalities.
The file centres on ship’s papers, passports, crew details and previous-port clearance. SVG also has statutory advance passenger and cargo reporting requirements. The local partner can establish the submission channel and timing for the actual yacht, route and receiving office before the passage begins.
International arrivals proceed directly to a designated entry port before visiting another anchorage. The yacht arrives under the Q flag, with shore access restricted while clearance is pending. Customs and Immigration complete the formalities under the arrangement for that location.
Private vessels are subject to cruise tax, while charter yachts require an SVG cruising licence. Immigration permission for the people aboard remains separate. Once entry is complete, the itinerary must also respect the rules of individual marinas, managed anchorages and marine parks.
An international departure requires outward clearance at an official port. Updated crew and passenger details, the next destination and the sailing time form the departure plan. A local partner can coordinate this around the final SVG stop and authority attendance.
Choose the location that best matches your arrival, departure or berth. If the yacht is staying in a nearby marina or anchorage, select the closest relevant port or choose Other port in the form.
Private-yacht cruise tax and the cruising licence for charter boats are different requirements. The yacht’s actual use must be stated at the outset, including any intended charter activity. Government charges, local agent fees and marina or mooring charges should be identified separately in the arrangements for your visit.
Immigration decides the admission period for each visitor; it is not determined by the yacht’s cruise tax. The permission granted on arrival governs the individual stay. Extensions can be requested through Kingstown or the Immigration arrangements on Bequia, Mustique, Canouan and Union Island.
SVG’s Advance Cargo Information Act covers advance cargo and passenger information and allows alternative notification arrangements in specified circumstances. SailClear is a notification tool, not an entry approval. The receiving office or local partner should establish the reporting channel and timing applicable to the yacht and route.
Clearance into SVG does not replace Tobago Cays Marine Park requirements. Park entry and mooring or anchoring charges are separate, and anchoring on coral or seagrass is prohibited. The park also prohibits fishing and bilge or wastewater discharge, which affects how a yacht plans its stay.
The tourism authority identifies Kingstown, Wallilabou and Chateaubelair on Saint Vincent; Port Elizabeth on Bequia; Britannia Bay on Mustique; Charlestown Bay on Canouan; and Clifton on Union Island. Immigration also lists Blue Lagoon and Campden Park as seaports. Their yacht arrangements need to be considered individually, as do marina-based arrangements at Sandy Lane Yacht Club on Canouan.
No. An international arrival must complete entry formalities before stopping at another anchorage. The Tobago Cays are a marine-park destination, so the first clearance stop needs to be elsewhere on the route.
No. SailClear’s description of its service does not remove SVG’s statutory reporting duties. The applicable submission channel and timing need to be established for the voyage, including any authorised alternative arrangement. An electronic notification also does not complete Customs and Immigration clearance.
No. Vessel cruising arrangements and permission for people to remain in SVG are separate. Each person must follow the Immigration permission actually granted; an extended yacht visit can therefore involve a visitor-permit extension as well as continuing vessel compliance.
Yes. Carriacou and Petite Martinique belong to Grenada, while Union Island, Canouan and the Tobago Cays are in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Crossing between them involves separate national entry and departure formalities despite the short sailing distances.
Yes. Outward clearance is required before leaving SVG. Include the next country and your final SVG stop when requesting assistance, so the departure formalities fit the actual passage.
Include shipped equipment, goods intended for sale and any proposed change of yacht use in the initial enquiry. These can need separate Customs treatment beyond the arrival file. A berth reservation or vessel notification should not be treated as approval for the goods or activity.
No. Yacht Clearance is an independent information and agent-referral service. We review the enquiry and connect it with a suitable local partner; the competent authorities decide admission, permissions and official clearance.
Use the form for check-in, check-out, Customs, Police, crew-list or maritime-reporting assistance.