Ponta Delgada - Clearance

Clearance in Ponta Delgada

For full details on clearing into and out of the Azores see Noonsite's Azores Formalities.

• The concrete reception dock is located just behind the green and white banded tower close to a row of flagpoles and below the conical white roof of the main marina offices. Arriving yachts must stop there to be cleared in and be assigned a berth.
• Yachts are normally met on the dock by an officer, who ensures that there is no contact with other boats before formalities are completed. This is normally done during office hours.
• All officials are located in the marina reception. Good English is spoken here as well as French.
• The office is open mid-May to mid-September: Mon-Fri 0900-1830 and Sat-Sun 0900-1230/1400-1730. Otherwise 0900-1730 and closed weekends. Yachts arriving outside of these times must not enter the marina, but come alongside the reception dock and await clearance.
• There is a second marina reception building overlooking the western marina. This is a good place to find tourist information, maps, tokens for the laundry and it has a book swap.
• The process may take some time but staff are reported to be friendly and helpful.

Last updated: June 2023

Note: If intending to sail to Santa Maria, it would be wise to consult the marina in Ponta Delgada before going further. During a storm in December 2024 the outer pontoon in Vila do Porto was severely damaged and cannot be used. This has severely restricted the availability of berths in the marina. See the Vila do Porto port page for details.

Last updated:  May 2025