Cayman Islands

Official overview of vessel formalities

Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control requires arriving vessels to proceed first to George Town Harbour, Grand Cayman, or Cayman Brac for clearance. Complete the official procedures before allowing anyone to leave the vessel.

Official sources: Customs vessel guidance; 2025 Port Regulations

Yacht ports of entry

The official ocean-vessel guidance from Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control (CBC) requires arriving vessels to proceed first to George Town Harbour, Grand Cayman, or Cayman Brac for CBC clearance. On arrival, contact the Cayman Port Authority on VHF 16, display the yellow quarantine flag, remain aboard awaiting clearance, and have clearance from the previous port ready. The same webpage later states that all arriving vessels must report to CBC at George Town Harbour, creating an inconsistency in scope. Before proceeding to Cayman Brac, confirm current processing arrangements directly with CBC. The official port regulations' pre-arrival notification form lists George Town and Creek Harbour on Cayman Brac. Current official information does not identify Little Cayman as an initial clearance port for foreign yachts; do not use it as the first entry point without explicit CBC approval.

Pre-arrival notification

The Cayman Islands 2025 Port Regulations require a Pre-Arrival Notification to the Port Authority at least 24 hours before arrival, including vessel services, crew, passengers and embarking/disembarking persons as applicable. On entering VHF range, contact Port Security on VHF 16. Check current forms and contacts before departure.

Official source: Cayman Islands 2025 Port Regulations, Schedule 3

Immigration for persons aboard

The port regulations list immigration documents including the original previous-port clearance, a copy of the pre-arrival notification, Maritime Declaration of Health, crew and passenger lists, and embarking/disembarking lists where applicable. Each entrant must also meet passport, visa and entry requirements for their individual circumstances.

Official sources: 2025 Port Regulations, Schedule 3; Entry requirements

Vessel customs clearance

All arriving vessels, including those refuelling or in transit, must obtain Customs and Border Control clearance and present clearance from the previous port. Display the yellow quarantine flag clearly on arrival. No one may leave the vessel before clearance.

Official source: Customs vessel guidance

Animal and plant quarantine

Obtain a Department of Agriculture import permit before bringing live animals, birds, aquarium fish, plants or plant products into the Cayman Islands. Relevant species must also be accompanied by health or phytosanitary certificates issued by the competent authority at origin and undergo entry inspection as required. Admission conditions for pets and other animal or plant products vary by species and origin; confirm with the Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture before departure.

Weapons and restricted items

When arriving yachts undergo customs inspection, declare onboard firearms, spear guns, Hawaiian slings, bows, slingshots and other manually operated weapons capable of discharging arrows or projectiles to Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control. These items may be restricted or prohibited and may have to be deposited with customs. VHF, radar and CB radio equipment may require valid licences. Animals, plants, endangered-species products, medicines and other regulated goods also require declarations or permission under applicable rules; confirm with customs before sailing.

Arrival, port notification and departure procedures

Under the Cayman Islands Port Regulations (2026 Revision), vessels must submit a pre-arrival notification under Schedule 3 to the Port Authority Director at least 48 hours before estimated arrival. The operating instructions in that same schedule say at least 24 hours, inconsistent with section 11(1). To comply with the regulations, prepare on the basis of at least 48 hours and confirm the current form and submission address with the Port Authority. The notification covers vessel particulars, voyage, crew/passengers and service requirements. On entering VHF range, follow the schedule's instructions to contact Port Security on VHF 16.

On arrival, contact Cayman Port Authority on VHF 16, display the yellow quarantine flag, remain aboard and await Customs and Border Control (CBC) clearance. Unauthorised persons must not board or disembark until customs, immigration and health formalities are complete. Prepare previous-port clearance. CBC's official ocean-vessel guidance also requires declaration and deposit of its listed restricted weapons. Its webpage inconsistently describes the first clearance port as George Town or Cayman Brac, while elsewhere requiring all arrivals to report to George Town; confirm with CBC before proceeding to Cayman Brac.

Before departure, give the Port Authority Director at least 4 hours' notice under Schedule 3 and obtain CBC outward clearance first. CBC states that this also applies to inter-island voyages to Cayman Brac or Little Cayman. Do not depart before release.

Departure clearance and fees

Cayman Islands CBC requires clearance before vessels leave the islands; this also applies to inter-island voyages to Cayman Brac or Little Cayman. CBC's current contact page lists a CI$56 special attendance fee for vessel clearance outside normal working hours at George Town seaport. The official page does not specify a fixed outward-clearance fee during normal working hours. Owners should contact CBC for their planned timing to confirm special attendance and other applicable charges. This attendance fee is not the total cost of port berthing, agents, pilotage or other services.