Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao Anchorages
Aruba
Last Visited – December 2018
Where We Anchored – 12 30 59 N 70 02 03 W
Check in was a little tricky as we had to tie up to a rough wall near the cruiser liner docks, but the staff were very efficient. We then moved over to anchor near the airport. We found the holding to be good, but a few of the other rally participants had to move to find a comfortable space. The dinghy ride to Oranjestad was a little wet on occasions, but useful to be able to tie up at the dinghy dock and get our shopping done. We found the Surfside Beach area a good spot for coffee or sundowners.
Last Visited – December 2018
Where We Anchored – 12 30 59 N 70 02 03 W
Check in was a little tricky as we had to tie up to a rough wall near the cruiser liner docks, but the staff were very efficient. We then moved over to anchor near the airport. We found the holding to be good, but a few of the other rally participants had to move to find a comfortable space. The dinghy ride to Oranjestad was a little wet on occasions, but useful to be able to tie up at the dinghy dock and get our shopping done. We found the Surfside Beach area a good spot for coffee or sundowners.
Tied to the wall for customs and immigration clearance
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The breezy airport anchorage
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Bonaire
Last Visited – November 2018
Where we anchored – No anchoring allowed
After a night sail from Los Roques we were extremely disappointed to find all the mooring buoys full and without the option to anchor (the whole area is a protected marine park) took a berth in Harbour Village Marina for the night, whilst we tried to come up with a Plan B to enable us to stay in Bonaire. Plan B became 10 nights at Nautico Marina (run by Epic Tours) and we were very pleased with the location, the price and the friendly service from the staff. There can be a lot of swell along the sea front wall in Bonaire and it was important to have lots of lines to secure the boat. Swimming and snorkelling directly off the yacht was a truly wonderful experience.
There are many shops and restaurants in Kralendijk and it was easy to get around the island on bicycles and scooters. Provisioning was a treat at Van Den Tweel supermarket.
Last Visited – November 2018
Where we anchored – No anchoring allowed
After a night sail from Los Roques we were extremely disappointed to find all the mooring buoys full and without the option to anchor (the whole area is a protected marine park) took a berth in Harbour Village Marina for the night, whilst we tried to come up with a Plan B to enable us to stay in Bonaire. Plan B became 10 nights at Nautico Marina (run by Epic Tours) and we were very pleased with the location, the price and the friendly service from the staff. There can be a lot of swell along the sea front wall in Bonaire and it was important to have lots of lines to secure the boat. Swimming and snorkelling directly off the yacht was a truly wonderful experience.
There are many shops and restaurants in Kralendijk and it was easy to get around the island on bicycles and scooters. Provisioning was a treat at Van Den Tweel supermarket.
Harbour Vilage Marina entrance
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Club Nautico Marina
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The mooring buoys were full for the duration of our visit
Curacao
Last Visited - December 2018
Where we anchored – 12 04 42 N 68 51 53 W
We anchored in Spanish Waters in an area especially set up for Suzie Too Rally participants which provided a mooring rope for stern to mooring and a dinghy dock with 24 hr security and rubbish disposal. We even had a twice weekly supermarket shopping service which was excellent. There were some issues with the use of dinghy docks in other parts of Spanish Waters, but these appear to have been resolved following our departure.
Check in took a little time as we had to catch the bus into Willemstad and visit several departments around town, but it was straight forward. Our check out service was fantastically well arranged by the Suzie Too Rally at the Santa Barbara Resort and has got to be the quickest and easiest interaction we have had with customs and immigration anywhere in the world. Well done Suzie Too Rally and those Curacao departments.
Last Visited - December 2018
Where we anchored – 12 04 42 N 68 51 53 W
We anchored in Spanish Waters in an area especially set up for Suzie Too Rally participants which provided a mooring rope for stern to mooring and a dinghy dock with 24 hr security and rubbish disposal. We even had a twice weekly supermarket shopping service which was excellent. There were some issues with the use of dinghy docks in other parts of Spanish Waters, but these appear to have been resolved following our departure.
Check in took a little time as we had to catch the bus into Willemstad and visit several departments around town, but it was straight forward. Our check out service was fantastically well arranged by the Suzie Too Rally at the Santa Barbara Resort and has got to be the quickest and easiest interaction we have had with customs and immigration anywhere in the world. Well done Suzie Too Rally and those Curacao departments.
The entrance to Spanish Waters by the Santa Barbara Resort
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Anchored in Spanish Waters
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