CARIBBEAN LAP REPORT SV JUBEL
SVย JUBEL'S CARIBBEAN LAP
SVย JUBEL just finished their 1 year lap around the Caribbean.ย BRAVO ZULU!ย Here they share their story:
We are currently in progress building an HH44 Catamaran in Cebu, Philippines, which will be completed in January 2026.ย It's our plan to cross the Pacific to meet the boat so we can move aboard directly from JUBEL. But we didnโt come all this way from Vancouver island to skip the Caribbean.ย Having crossed the (Panama) Canal in September 2023, we spent some time in Bocas del Toro, the San Blas, Panama, and Cartagena, Columbia.ย Knowing we wanted to see the Caribbean, we decided to do a speed loop of the Windward and Leeward Islands.ย
The trip started from Cartagena, Colombia and we set off for Puerto Rico, or maybe the DR, on March 26th, 2024. We didnโt know where we would end up.ย We had heard this passage was notoriously bad, and that we may have to divert westward. So loaded with 8 extra jerry cans of diesel, we set off, along with our friends on SV VIA, a Caliber 40LRC (that holds 400+ gallons of diesel!) This trip was exactly what they say it was.ย We motored for 700 miles, into the wind and the waves. At times doing 3 knots. We broke our davits due to the constant slamming into the waves. We also had some flat calm days. Overall, we sailed about 10 hours out of the entire 6 days.ย
We ended up in Boquerรณn, Puerto Rico. We spent time cruising Puerto Rico for a month along the southern side of Puerto Rico, and flew home in (to Canada) in May.ย Ourย highlights are Isla Caja De Muertos, where you can hike up to the top of an abandoned lighthouse, and Isla Culebra for its snorkeling and coral farms, and of course, Costco in San Juan.ย
With our boat loaded with a years worth of Costco supplies in Puerto Rico we made our way to the USVIโs where it was a surprise that they drive on the opposite side of the road. We spent a few days in St. Thomas, of course, stopping at the pizza boat where we attended a massive memorial day party hosted on a catamaran while we floated in the water.
A few days on the northern side of St. Johns before making our way to the BVIs. We have a dog on board so this was pretty difficult to sort out, as you have to have a lot of paperwork and health check proofs. We met the vet in Soperโs hole where he had to inspect Ricky, our dog, in person. Once that was dealt with we made our way to pussers for a rum! This was the first island we considered โthe Caribbeanโ, and we made it!ย
We spent three weeks bouncing around the BVIs including Norman Island (and the infamous Willy Ts, where we floated behind it in our Sunchill, met friends, and had beers thrown into our pool!
Anchoring at the Baths, (where our engine died coming into the anchorage, that turned out to be ricky leaning on the shutoff button!), and spending time in Virgin Gorda was also great. Our favorite anchorages were Savannah bay, and the north side of Prickly Pear Island.ย Having the Rum Runner bring us blended cocktails right to our boat was (also) a highlight, along with visits to Saba Rock.ย
From The BVIs we checked out and headed to St. Martin, stopping at the French side first. The beaches here were phenomenal. While a little run down, its very pretty, and the French food supply is amazing. We had FKG rigging come out to the boat by dinghy to give us an estimate for the standing rigging replacement that we needed. They gave us a very, very reasonable estimate and we headed over to their dock on the dutch side to have the work done. A week later, everything was brand new. Highly recommend them!ย We also had a new generator motor shipped here and replaced that, as our previous one had water ingress due to a manufacturing defect. St. Maarten is an amazing location for boat work and supply, especially since its all tax free. There are also great restaurants here, where we met up with some other Young Cruisers and talked shop, so we will definitely come back at some point. St. Maarten is a hit on our list!ย
Our next stop was Guadeloupe. It was here that we rode out hurricane Beryl. On the west side of the island behind the mountain, we set out a 10-1 scope in 20 feet of water. Luckily (for us, certainly not the islands south of us) it headed south. We were hit with 35 knots of wind and a ton of rain, but otherwise, unscathed. After the weather cleared, the view was beautiful.ย
We worked our way down Guadeloupe, and anchored in some very rolly anchorages - There is not much for protection on this side of the island. We stopped in several hot springs and enjoyed the natural hot water that comes out all over the island. After an absolutely brutal sail crossing from Guadeloupe to Terre-de-Haut, a group of small islands south of Guadeloupe, we went to explore and island and old fort. There is a really cute little town (but not much for food available) that you can explore.ย
From there we made our way to the jewel of the Caribbean, Dominica. I can not say enough about this place. It is, by far, our favourite locale in the caribbean. Absolutely untouched and unspoiled. There were no tourists, the locals were the friendliest people we have ever met, and would do anything for you. The natural beauty of this island is absolutely stunning.Waterfalls, valleys, hot springs, gorges - It has it all.ย
What it doesnโt have are services, restaurants, fuel docks, or supply shops. You are on your own. So bring what you need, and stay as long as you can. We grabbed a mooring ball in Portsmouth bay for $10 a night, where the PAY (Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services) will come out to the boat and give you anything you need, and help you check in.ย We rented a car from a local company (that we had to swap out three times because they were not in great shape - Old cars imported from Japan), they also drive on the British side of the road (in Dominica). Its like driving in the game โcrazy taxiโ. We drove all over the island over 5 days.ย
We went to visit Titou gorge where they filmed parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean
Overall, Dominica gets a 10/10 for us. We will be back to this island before our cruising career is over. Its got so much to offer, and so much that we havenโt seen, for a small island.ย Our provisions were running low so it was time to carry on. We made our way to Martinique from here, where we knew we could provision. And provision we did. Wine, cheese, butter, oh my. The French have food nailed down. We were here during a summer festival and I have never seen so many boats on the move, ever.ย
Martinique was the busiest place weโd ever been. The bays were full, with hundreds if not thousands of boats. It was way too busy for us. And theyโre very not dog friendly. So after we provisioned, we carried on down to Grenada. We skipped St. Lucia for safety concerns, and therefore had to skip St. Vincent and the Grenadines due to our dog and rabies rules. That, and its been hit hard by Beryl at this point.ย
Grenada became our home for about a month and a half while we waited for hurricane season to subside slightly. The next stop after this was Bonaire, so hurricanes werenโt a big concern. We met up with friends, enjoyed copious wing nights, went snorkeling, and hauled out because we had won a free haul out from Spice Island Marine at the Young Cruisers Association Cruisers Awards. We were here for Carnival which was amazing.ย
We had tried out all the anchorages and there was a weather window coming. It was September at this point, so it was time to carry on to Bonaire. After a sporty 3 day sail downwind (oh how nice it was to go downwind finally, after beating our way east all the way to Dominica), we arrived in Bonaire. The water clarity blew our minds.
ย However, the lack of Starlink was frustrating after having it for so long. So back to a cell phone data plan we went, we spent our days snorkeling and swimming. We rented a car and drove around the whole island, stopping to feed the roadside donkeys apples and carrots.ย
Bonaire was definitely another highlight. The freediving and snorkeling is amazing. Its everything its cracked up to be.ย
We skipped Curacao and headed to Aruba to meet friends and for my parents to fly in. We loved Aruba - Dove on a shipwreck, swam with turtles, went out to fantastic restaurants, played some slot machines, had some pool days at the Hyatt pool, and even found a Canadian bar that had Poutine and took Canadian money!ย
Now here we are in Cartagena once again, having crossed our track when we left 8 months ago, so very happy we traveled where we did and saw what we saw. The experiences will stick with us forever, and we hope to go back to some of the islands once again in the future. Now, its time to go back to San Blas one more time before we prepare for our grand adventure across the Pacific!ย
SY JUBEL ๐จ๐ฆ Leah & Kyle - Gulfstar 44'
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR 8 MONTH CARIBBEAN LOOP
ARUBA ๐ฆ๐ผ DIGITAL CHARTS ๐ฐ๏ธ
ARUBA DIGITAL CHARTS IN MBTILES FORMAT
THE ABOVE FILES ARE FOR LOGGED IN USERS ONLY
MEET THE FLEET: SV SMALL WORLD III - Darren & Karen
MEET THE FLEET: SV SMALL WORLD III
Darren & Karen
After 30+ years of work in the Seattle area, Darren being a licensed professional civil engineer, and Karen an office manager; a plan was hatched to sell everything they owned, buy a sailing vessel, and travel the world.ย This afforded them the opportunity to retire 5-years early, planning to return to the USA at the age of 65, when healthcare becomes more affordable.ย June, 2020 their house of 20-years was put on the market.
June 15, 2020, Darren & Karen departed Washington in a rented motorhome bound for Ventura, California to search for a worthy blue water sailing vessel.ย Enter Todd Duff, Caribbean Sailor, Author, and Marine Surveyor.ย Todd had purchased a 1988 47.7 Bristol Cutter Rig in Florida.ย She was de-masted and he trucked Small World III to Ventura, California where he had worked on an extensive re-fit for an anticipated South Pacific / World Circumnavigation.ย Due to personal reasons, he sold SV SMALL WORLD IIIย to Karen and Darren.
Karen and Darren departed from San Diego California, November 9, 2020 after finally receiving Certificate of Documentation from the USCG.ย The marina reservations in Ensenada, MX were in place.ย Two hours into Mexican waters the marina captain called to say, the previous owner of Small World III, (vessel named Anhinga) had a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) that had not been canceled, and instructed Karen and Darren to return to San Diego.ย A four hour downwind run immediately turned into a 8 hour upwind beat to return to California.ย While this wasnโt the beginning of the learning process, it was one of the more painful experiences. Two days later Small World III returned to Mexican waters and the adventure started AGAIN.
While in Mexico, they did some work on SMALL WORLD III and travelled inland.ย Highlights included, new Bimini and dodger in La Paz, new 50-gallon fuel tank in Mazatlรกn, and an AstraZeneca shot in small mountain village San Sabastian.
They continued to travel down the pacific coast cruising in El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama. Lessons: 1. Donโt runover lobster traps at 0400 hours leaving Turtle Bay, Mexico.ย 2. ย Donโt trust an English mechanic in La Paz, that he has fixed a leaking fuel tank. ย 3. Always be ready to sail your vessel because old fuel tanks cause plugged filters at the worst time. 4. make sure that your secondary anchor is available and ready for use as you sail up to anchor and find that your windlass is not operating and putting your primary anchor out of commission.
The big decision they had to make in November 2021: turn right to the South Pacific, turn left through the Panama Canal?ย ย Since French Polynesia, New Zeeland and Australia where still closed due to COVID the left turn was made December, 2021.ย In Panama, improvements included: new AGM batteries, a new 3.5 Kw NextGen generator, and a trip to San Diego for boat parts.
Once they got through the Canal, they spent three months learning about Caribbean Trade Winds and exploring San Blas, Shelter Bay Marina, Boca de Toro, and many other places.ย In March 2022, they made an upwind slog to Santa Marta Columbia.ย The highlight of this slog was hitting the Columbian coast 30 NM south of Cartagena and motoring into a 25 kt wind making 2.5 knots.ย They made an exceptionally brief stop in Cartagena for four hours to dry out and check weather.ย Their stay was brief, and Karen had to explain to the Port Captain on the radio that we were promptly leaving his authority and would check in to Santa Marta when we got there.
As promised their next port was Santa Marta.ย They checked in and then spent three months in Santa Marta, Columbia making land-based trips, to Cartagena, Bogotรก, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Peruvian Amazon, Lake Titicaca, and Aramu Muru.ย At the marina in Santa Marta, they dropped their centerboard to its max depth of 11โ so the boys could clean the barnacles off it.ย ย After about 3 weeks in a marina that was only 11โ deep they found the centerboard pin had worked itself out of the hull on the port side.ย SURPRISE....A 2โ diameter by 14โ naval bronze pin worked its way out rendering the centerboard nonfunctional.ย Unfortunately, Santa Marta is not an economical place to haul out: $2,500 was the quote, excluding work, which they would not let the boat owner do.ย They found a better solution, but they had to work for it.ย ย In June, 2022, they commenced a 3-day upwind beat to Aruba, where they could be haul in and out for less than $600.ย They then took a quick couple months back in the states, returned to Small World III, which had a new centerboard pin and bottom paint.ย Problem solved!ย Then they sailed off to Curacao and Bonaire, for the balance of the hurricane season.
November 6, 2022, Karen and Darren crossed 550 nm of the Caribbean Sea from Bonaire to Saint Martin.ย Our buddy boat a 42-foot catamaran called 2CAN, was fraught with problems, losing their wind instruments on day 2 and engine problems on day 4.ย SMALL WORLD III provided wind information and weather forecasting every 6 hours for the rest of the passage and kept a close eye on them, as they motor sailed to the French side of Saint Martin.
We then ventured to Saint Kitts, Antiqua, and Guadeloupe.ย Thatโs as far as we got towards the windward Caribbean, as our destination was actually Florida to stage for our Atlantic crossing. Back we went to Saint Kitts, and Saint Martin.ย From there it was the BVIs, USVIs, one month in Puerto Rico, one month in Dominican Republic while Karen recovered from a broken foot.ย Then on to Turks, Exuma's, Bahamas, then West Palm Beach, Florida..
June 6, 2023, we departed Savannah, Georgia.ย They spent 21 days making way to the Azores, had an8-day weather delay, and then took 9 days to Tangier Morocco.ย Gibraltar, Valencia, Spain, Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca, Sardegna, Corse, Italy, Sicilia, and then in November to Tunisia, for the winter.ย We had checked into the EU in Valencia, and checked out in Messina, Sicily.ย Three months had flown by way too fast, and we were troubled by the odd looks we got at both check in and check out.
By April 2024 with new bottom and hull paint from Monastir, Tunisia, we departed for Malta.ย Upon entry, we were delighted to get a crew list stamped rather than our passport.ย Three weeks later we departed for Venice with 800 AH of new lithium batteries on board.ย What a game changer!ย To Sicilia, Italy, Croatia, finally arriving in Venice May 15, 2024.ย Still no stamp on the passport, yea.ย In Croatia, we obtained a Navigation Permit with the assistance of an Agent, and our tourist tax was paid online.ย In Venice, we removed our 00000 Turbo for service and cleaning, a routine item.ย Unfortunately, the authorized Yanmar dealer was not equipped for maintenance and only offered a new replacement at 2000 euro.ย We ordered a turbo core from the US.ย It made it to Tessera Italy in 4 days, and thatโs as close as it got, about 15 NM from us.ย We waited for two more weeks and it was apparent that it was never going to clear customs.ย We left, the core went back to the US, and by the way, because the turbo was disassembled for the core replacement it ended up getting cleaned and found to be in good operating condition.ย Just what we wanted anyway.
SMALL WORLD III departed Venice on June 6, 2024 and went back through Croatia.ย They then, checked into Greece June 15, 2024 with the use of an agent.ย We now have a Greek Transit Log, paid for four months, thru September 2024.ย Still no stamp on our passport.ย They have since visited many islands in the Ionian Sea, and crossed the Corinth Cut on July 5, 2024.ย More recently, they have cruised around many islands around Athens, then north to the Sporades, followed by cruising to all four major islands, and making our way to Mykonos on a downwind run in the Aegean Sea.
We are currently in Paros, south of Mykonos, with the intent of heading east to Kos and Rhodes.ย Weโll try to figure out a way to visit Turkey that is economical; their inflation rate in the past five years is so far out of hand that marinas that were once less than 500 euro per month are now 3000 to 4000 euros per month.
We plan to head back to the Caribbean this Winter.ย From there, we donโt know.ย Or we could winter in Malta or Tunisia, and do another lap next year.ย Time will tell.
SV SMALL WORLD III Karen & Darren -ย Bristol 47.7
THANK YOU FOR THE INTRODUCTION!
ARUBA ๐ฆ๐ผ CRUISING THE ABC
Sailing in Aruba: A Nautical Adventure in the Caribbean
Aruba is a small 20nm island located in the southern Caribbean just north of the Venezuelan coast.
White sand beachesย areย one of the island’s primary draws. Over 300 cruise ships visit Aruba every year.
It is known for its turquoise waters, constant and often elevated trade winds.
The Allure of Aruba
Arubaโs location outside the hurricane belt means that it enjoys stable weather patterns throughout the year, with minimal risk of severe storms.
Marinas and Anchorages
1. Renaissance Marina
2. Varadero Aruba Marina and Boatyard:
3. Aruba Nautical Club:ย .
4. Anchorage at Spanish Lagoon:
Essential Tips for Sailing in Aruba
1. Navigation and Charts: While Arubaโs waters are generally safe for sailing, itโs crucial to have up-to-date nautical charts and GPS navigation tools – there are reefs and shoals to watch out for.
2. Weather and Wind Conditions: The trade winds blow consistently from the east, ranging from 15 to 25 knots. These winds provide excellent consistent conditions, but sailors should be prepared for gusty periods, particularly during the afternoons.
3. Customs and Regulations: Aruba is a pass through destination for international sailors, but itโs essential to clear customs and immigration upon arrival. Ensure you have all necessary documents, including passports, vessel registration, and proof of insurance.
4. Safety and Preparedness: Always have a well-stocked first-aid kit, life jackets, and emergency communication devices on board. Familiarize yourself with local emergency contacts and procedures.
5. Respecting the Environment: Arubaโs marine ecosystem is delicate and requires protection. Follow all guidelines for waste disposal, anchoring, and reef preservation. Avoid anchoring on coral reefs and be mindful of marine life.
Activities and Attractions
1. Snorkeling and Diving: Arubaโs clear waters are goodย snorkeling and diving. Popular spots include the Antilla shipwreck, Arashi Reef, and the coral gardens near Mangel Halto.
2. Beach Hopping: Aruba offers plenty of opportunities for beach hopping.
3. Cultural Experiences: Explore the vibrant culture of Aruba by visiting local markets, historical sites, and museums. The Bon Bini Festival in Oranjestad plus lot’s ofย traditional music, dance, and cuisine.
4. Dining and Nightlife: Aruba boasts a diverse food scene, with restaurants offering everything from local Caribbean dishes to international cuisine.
5. Water Sports: Auba is a hot spot for various water sports, including windsurfing, kiteboarding, The consistent winds and calm waters make it an ideal location for these activities.
Planning Your Sailing Trip
1. Best Time to Visit: While Aruba is a year-round destination, the peak sailing season is from December to April, when the weather is slightly cooler and the winds are at their best.
2.ย Provisioning and Supplies: Ensure you have all necessary provisions before setting sail. Major supermarkets and local markets in Oranjestad and surrounding areas provide a wide range of food, drinks, and other essentials.ย As it is an Island economy the cost of living in Aruba is, on average, 16.2% higher than in United States.
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MARINAS
WEATHER
Swell
PILOT CHARTS
Aruba Pilot Charts provide historic points and aggregated information ofย wind flows, air and ocean temperatures, wave heights, rain, barometric weight, and climate conditions at various seasons. This data was acquired from oceanographic and meteorologic perceptions over hundreds of years starting in the late eighteenth century. These diagrams are planned to help mariners choose routes around and approaching Cuba with respect to the normal climate and sea conditions using prevailing seasonal wind information.
PORTS OF ENTRY
Clearance Procedure
Aruba has different procedure for clearing in and out as other islands in the Caribbean: At arrival, all vessels are required to go to an official port of entry first! The vessel will have to be cleared both by Immigration and by Customs.
For your convenience you can print and fill in the necessary clearance forms (three copies for Immigration, two copies for Customs).
Skippers and crew can initially stay 30 days. For yacht crew this can be extended to two times 90 days. 180 days per year maximum. Yachts can stay on the island up to 180 days. After this they will need to be imported. Exception: Yachts in dry storage atย Varadero Aruba. While in storage the 180-day count is stopped.
For the latest information and travel advisory update from the Aruba Tourism Authority regarding the measuresย visit Aruba.com
Immigration
First clear with immigration then go to Customs.
When clearing in there is one point to keep in mind: We suggest that you ask immigration for a longer period then you intend to stay. Should your plans change you will not have to spend time to get an extension.
Visa requirements: None for citizens of the USA, Canada or the EC. Other nationalitiesย download entry requirements.
Although Aruba is part of the Netherlands, visa for the Netherlands Antilles are not valid for Aruba.
Visa Requirements
None for citizens of the USA, Canada or the EU. Other nationalities please download: http://www.aruba.com/sigma/Entry_Req-Eng.pdf .
Visas must be specifically for Aruba. Visas for the Netherlands Antilles or the Netherlands are not valid for Aruba.
Visitors can stay up to a total of 180 days per year in Aruba but might get limited in to how long for each stay depending on the nationality.ย A vessel can stay 180 days in Aruba.
Customs
None for citizens of the USA, Canada or the EU. Other nationalities please download: http://www.aruba.com/sigma/Entry_Req-Eng.pdf .
For people requiring a visa: Visa must be specifically for Aruba. Even though Aruba is part of the Netherlands, visa for the Netherlands Antilles or the Netherlands are not valid for Aruba.
Visitors can stay up to a total of 180 days per year in Aruba but might get limited in to how long for each stay depending on the nationality. A vessel can stay 180 days in Aruba.
Pets
Require a certificate of health from your last port of call not older then 30 days.
Anchoring Permit
In Curacao an anchoring permit is required if you want to anchor outside of Spanish water.
In Aruba there is no permit required. If you are anchored in a less frequented anchorage the Coast guard will probably pay you a visit, just because you are doing something different.
Clearing in Barcadera harbor
DOCUMENTS
MUST SEE
- Arikok National Park
- Location: 12ยฐ30.148′ N 69ยฐ58.908′ W
- Description: Arikok National Park covers nearly 20% of Aruba, offering rugged landscapes, limestone cliffs, and ancient cave paintings. It’s home to diverse flora and fauna, including the island’s iconic divi-divi trees and the Aruban whiptail lizard. Visitors can hike to natural attractions like the Natural Pool and Fontein Cave, making it a must-see for nature enthusiasts.
- California Lighthouse
- Location: 12ยฐ36.902′ N 70ยฐ03.626′ W
- Description: The California Lighthouse stands on the island’s northwestern tip, offering panoramic views of the coastline and nearby sand dunes. Named after the S.S. California, a shipwrecked vessel off Aruba’s coast, the lighthouse is a popular spot for sunset views and exploring the island’s rugged northern landscape.
- Eagle Beach
- Location: 12ยฐ32.823′ N 70ยฐ03.967′ W
- Description: Eagle Beach is one of Aruba’s most famous beaches, known for its powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters. It is also home to two of the island’s iconic Fofoti trees, which have become a symbol of Aruba. The beach is perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying water sports.
- Alto Vista Chapel
- Location: 12ยฐ34.202′ N 70ยฐ01.695′ W
- Description: The Alto Vista Chapel is Aruba’s oldest Catholic chapel, built in 1750 by Spanish missionaries. Located on a hill overlooking the sea, it offers a serene setting for reflection and is surrounded by a peaceful countryside. The winding road to the chapel is lined with white crosses, adding to its spiritual atmosphere.
- Natural Bridge
- Location: 12ยฐ33.994′ N 69ยฐ58.869′ W
- Description: The Natural Bridge was once one of Aruba’s most famous landmarks, formed by the relentless pounding of waves against limestone cliffs. Though the original bridge collapsed in 2005, its remnants still attract visitors, and the nearby Baby Bridge offers a glimpse of the island’s rugged natural beauty.
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REPAIRS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS
Supplies & Services in Aruba
Chandleries
- East Wind Marine Services: Located at Wind Creek Marina, Oranjestad.
- Budget Marine: Located in Balashi.
- Boaters Paradise: Located in Cumana.
Hardware Stores
- Do-it: On the main road from Oranjestad to the airport.
- Wema: Various locations, largest in Ponton.
- Kooyman: In Cumana.
Fuel and Gas
- Wind Creek Marina: Diesel at fuel dock or truck delivery.
- Aruba Nautical Club: Diesel and Gasoline.
- Varadero Aruba: Truck delivery available.
Fuel prices are government-regulated. Propane is available at Arugas in Barcadera, with additional drop-off services at Wind Creek Marina and Varadero Aruba.
Provisioning
- Price Smart: Warehouse supermarket (day passes available).
- Kong Hing: Located in Oranjestad.
- Ling and Sons Supermarket and Superfood Supermarket: NW of Oranjestad.
Laundromats
- Aruba Laundry: Kerkstraat.
- Euro Laundry: Boulevard near the harbor.
- Oranjestad Laundry.
- Wind Creek Marina and Varadero Aruba: Drop-off/pick-up service.
Waste Disposal
Trash disposal at Wind Creek Marina and Varadero Caribe. For waste oil and batteries, contact Wind Creek Marina or Varadero Aruba.
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EMERGENCIES AND SAR INFO