Guinea-Bissau

Scope

The RCC Pilotage Foundation includes sailing information for Guinea-Bissau's Bijagós Archipelago. Visiting the outer islands must not be confused with formal entry into the country.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Noonsite - Guinea Bissau, Bijagos Archipelago: An Unknown Paradi

Ports of entry and departure

No complete official list of clearance ports for foreign private yachts was found. A yacht passage report published by Noonsite in November 2025 says the vessel had cleared in Cacheu, Bissau or Porto Bubaque, and describes completing formalities at Porto Bubaque. This is one vessel's third-party report, not an official list of designated ports, and it does not guarantee that these locations can currently process yacht customs, immigration and health formalities. The APGB website provides general port operating information but does not confirm yacht-clearance eligibility. Before departure, confirm directly with the harbour master, customs and immigration authorities at the intended port.

Pre-arrival notification

Before departure, confirm immigration, customs and island-visit arrangements with the receiving port or a local agent. An old sailing account does not replace current permission to enter.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Noonsite - Guinea Bissau, Bijagos Archipelago: An Unknown Paradi

Crew entry

Check visa and entry eligibility separately for each crew member according to nationality. A 2025 yacht report published by Noonsite says the author and companions needed visas and obtained them at the Guinea-Bissau embassy in Banjul, The Gambia. This is one experience and does not establish requirements for all nationalities, current application channels or entry by sea. The UK government also currently advises that British citizens need a visa, that passports should normally be valid for at least six months, and that yellow-fever vaccination certificate requirements apply. This applies only to British passport holders and must not be generalized to other nationalities. Before departure, confirm crew visa requirements, passport validity, sea-arrival reporting and permitted stay with a Guinea-Bissau embassy or consulate and the receiving port's immigration office.

Vessel customs

No complete official customs procedure, temporary-import period or ship's-stores declaration form for private yachts in Guinea-Bissau was found. A 2025 yacht report on Noonsite says that, on arrival, the harbour master, immigration, customs, national park authority and police handled formalities together and issued a yacht cruising permit. The author also reports that officials advised displaying the Guinea-Bissau flag and Q flag. These are one vessel's experiences and should not be treated as a nationwide process or current statutory document requirements. Before arrival, prepare vessel registration, previous-port clearance, crew and passenger lists, and an inventory. Confirm temporary admission, stay, repairs and crew changes with customs, and flag and cruising-permit requirements with the harbour master.

Quarantine and biosecurity

No official quarantine procedure or list covering food, plants and pets aboard foreign private yachts in Guinea-Bissau was found. APGB's general port information lists a port medical station in Bissau and waste reception services under MARPOL, but does not say whether the medical station handles vessel free pratique, yacht quarantine or approval of pets or ship's stores. Before arrival, ask the harbour master and health and agricultural authorities whether a health declaration, animal health certificate, inspection or waste delivery is required. Do not assume passenger-baggage rules apply to yacht stores.

Restricted items

Guinea-Bissau is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Convention requires permits and documents for international trade in listed wild animals, plants and their products; whether documents are required depends on the species, Appendix, purpose and applicable national implementation rules. Before taking protected wildlife or products across a border, identify the species and confirm requirements with the CITES Management Authority and customs.

No official restricted-items list covering all stores aboard private yachts was found. Confirm requirements separately with the relevant licensing authorities for firearms and ammunition, controlled drugs, catch, pets and items intended to be put ashore. Do not assume an item may be brought in simply because this guide does not list it.

APGB's general port information says vessels must request a berth at least 24 hours in advance through the APGB system or on VHF 16; pilotage and tug services are coordinated by the Harbour Master's Office. The page also lists a port medical station and waste reception services. It does not confirm whether this information applies to private yachts, and it is not a border-arrival notification deadline.

A 2025 report from one yacht on Noonsite says the harbour master, immigration, customs, national park authority and police handled formalities together at Porto Bubaque. This individual case does not guarantee the same process at other ports or today. Before departure, confirm berth permission, clearance location, reporting sequence and port services separately with APGB, the harbour master, customs and immigration.

Fees and departure

No current official total clearance price or departure fee schedule for private yachts in Guinea-Bissau was found. Third-party reports give different amounts: a yacht report published by Noonsite in 2025 says that its formalities cost about €150, without itemizing the charges; a personal sailing account from 2021 reports a cruising permit of about €100 plus €15 each for customs, port police and immigration. Both are dated individual cases; their scope and currency conversions have not been verified officially, so they are not current rates or a reliable budget. Before departure, request a current written fee schedule from the relevant authorities and confirm whether charges are per person or per vessel, their validity period, whether an agent's fee is included, and whether official receipts are issued. Also confirm customs, immigration and port departure clearance before leaving.