1
Establishing the current position
An agent can confirm whether a direct arrival is accepted for a yacht in your circumstances, or whether clearance in Antigua first is required, rather than leaving you to reconcile two published sources at sea.
The sister island · two authorities, two published positions
Barbuda Yacht Clearance Agent
Barbuda is the one place in the country where the published clearance position genuinely differs between authorities: Customs names it a legal port of entry and lists a Barbuda office, while Immigration states it is not one and that carriers must clear in Antigua first. Send us the route and timing and we will introduce you to a local agent who can confirm what currently applies.
BarbudaMaritime location listed for route planning. Confirm current Yacht Clearance eligibility and authority arrangements before arrival.
BarbudaBarbuda and nearby yacht locations
Manual reviewEach request is assessed before an agent introduction.
Local assistance
Why a local agent is useful for a Barbuda passage
Barbuda is not a place to arrive and work it out. The two authorities publish different positions on whether it is a port of entry, office arrangements are limited, and there is very little in the way of yacht services if something needs sorting out on the spot. The work is in the preparation.
2
Clearing in Antigua first where that is the answer
If clearance has to be completed in Antigua, the agent can arrange it at whichever mainland port suits the route and make sure the cruising permit is in hand before the yacht heads north.
3
Getting the timing right
Immigration states the Barbuda office runs limited hours at weekends, but that service can be facilitated where circumstances require, working with Customs and the Port Authority. An agent can put the request in ahead of time rather than on the day.
Clearance checklist
Documents normally prepared for a Barbuda passage
Prepare the applicable records before arrival or departure.
✓Clearance from the last port (outward clearance or zarpe)
✓Crew and passenger list covering everyone on board
✓Yacht registration and flag details
✓Passports or other accepted travel documents for everyone aboard
✓Proof of ownership or written authority to operate the yacht
✓Valid yacht insurance
Local process
How a Barbuda visit is normally planned
Two routes to the same result. Which applies has to be confirmed before you sail, not assumed from a published list.
Establish which position applies
Ask an agent or the authorities whether a direct arrival is accepted for your yacht and dates, or whether clearance must be completed in Antigua first.
If clearing in Antigua first
Complete the national sequence at whichever mainland port suits the route, then sail north with the cruising permit aboard.
If a direct arrival is agreed
Send the advance notification, fly the Q flag on arrival, keep everyone aboard and present the clearance from the last port, the crew list and the vessel registration. Customs publishes a Barbuda office with hours of 08:00 to 16:30.
Immigration on Barbuda
The Barbuda office is published as operating limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays, with service facilitated where circumstances require it together with Customs and the Port Authority. Arrange this in advance rather than on arrival.
Cruising Barbuda waters
A valid cruising permit covers Antigua and Barbuda waters except where an area is prohibited to navigation or restricted for national security. Confirm any area-specific requirements before you go.
Fees and clearing out
Cruising sources report that fees are not typically collected on Barbuda and are settled in Antigua, and that clearing out from Codrington may be possible but needs confirming because the same officers also cover the airport. Both are reported rather than published.
Antigua requirements
What is published about Barbuda, including where it conflicts.
This sets out both published positions rather than choosing between them; national requirements are on the homepage. Nothing here establishes that a yacht may clear into or out of Barbuda on a given date.
What Customs publishes
Antigua and Barbuda Customs names Barbuda among the six legal ports of entry for pleasure craft, alongside Deep Water Harbour, English Harbour, Jolly Harbour, Heritage Quay and Crabbs Peninsula. Its published Customs locations list includes a Barbuda office with hours of 08:00 to 16:30.
What Immigration publishes
The Immigration Department states that all carriers must obtain clearance from Antigua before sailing or flying to Barbuda, as Barbuda is not a designated entry port. It separately states that the Barbuda Immigration office operates limited hours on Saturdays and Sundays, and that where circumstances require service, it can be facilitated together with Customs and the Port Authority.
How to treat the conflict, and what the permit covers
Both positions come from the competent authorities, so a yacht planning a direct arrival cannot rely on either listing alone. Have the position confirmed for your yacht, route and dates before sailing, and keep a fallback that involves clearing in Antigua first. Once cleared in, a valid cruising permit covers Antigua and Barbuda waters unless an area is prohibited to navigation or restricted for national security; permits run up to six consecutive months, and any Barbuda-specific requirements should be confirmed separately.
The island, and reported practice on fees
Barbuda lies north of Antigua, the distance commonly given as somewhere between about 20 and 30 nautical miles depending on the departure point. It is low-lying and largely undeveloped, with long beaches, extensive shoal water and reef, and Codrington Lagoon with its frigate bird sanctuary. Everyday provisioning is possible in Codrington, but fuel, marine services and communications are limited, and protected-area rules should be observed. Cruising sources report that Barbuda does not typically collect fees and that charges are settled in Antigua. That is reported practice rather than a published fee position.
FAQ
Barbuda Yacht Clearance questions
Can I sail directly to Barbuda from another country?
Confirm first. Customs names Barbuda among the legal ports of entry and publishes a Barbuda office, while Immigration states that Barbuda is not a designated entry port and that carriers must clear in Antigua before sailing there. Because the two published positions differ, have the arrangement confirmed for your yacht and dates.
Why do the two authorities say different things?
They maintain separate published guidance and the listings have not been reconciled on this point. We do not treat either as overriding the other. The practical approach is confirmation in advance, with a fallback plan that involves clearing into Antigua first.
Does my cruising permit cover Barbuda?
A valid permit covers Antigua and Barbuda waters unless an area is specifically prohibited to navigation or restricted for national security. Obtain it as part of the appropriate clearance process and confirm any Barbuda-specific requirements before proceeding.
Are Antigua and Barbuda the same island?
No. They are two separate islands forming one country. Barbuda lies north of Antigua, the distance commonly given as somewhere between about 20 and 30 nautical miles depending on the departure point.
Can I clear out of the country from Barbuda?
Cruising sources report it may be possible from Codrington, with the caveat that the officers there also cover the airport so availability should be confirmed in advance, and that outstanding fees are generally settled in Antigua. Treat this as reported practice and confirm before planning an international departure from Barbuda.
What should I expect ashore?
Codrington is the main settlement and everyday items can be bought there, but fuel, marine services and communications are limited and the island is low-lying and sparsely developed. Codrington Lagoon and its frigate bird sanctuary are the best-known feature. Plan to be self-sufficient and observe protected-area rules.
Personal clearance support
Send the voyage details once. We help route the request.
Use this page for Barbuda arrival, departure and Antigua yacht-paperwork assistance.