Check In / Out Port Clearance Philippines

Port of Davao, Mindanao

Considered Yacht-friendly & Typhoon Safe

Notice: at the present time (October 2025) there are some local regulatory issues that may prevent easy entry / exit through the Port of Davao and it is recommended that you choose Surigao City as the alternative port of entry / exit from / to the West and Southwest. Contact us for latest details.

The Port of Davao is a popular port for entry / exit clearance into / out of the Philippines because it has many facilities you may need if voyaging from Australia, Papua New Guinea and the eastern islands of Indonesia. Davao offers: marina, haul out (on slipway) and chandlery, plus it has an international airport. Most yachts that check in / check out in Davao are interested to cruise and stop along the South and East coasts of Mindanao.

The most popular method for entry / exit at Davao is through the services of the Holiday Oceanview Marina, located on the North shore of Samal Island - prior arrangement is essential to gain entry to the marina. Customs and Quarantine will come to the marina to inspect the yacht and then the crew will travel across to Davao City Bureau of Immigration office for passport / visa processing. "Painless process" reported by S/Y Soko, May 2025.

Port of Surigao, Surigao del Norte

Considered Yacht-friendly

Surigao City is one of the best ports to obtain check in / check out clearance into / out of the Philippines for yachts arriving / departing from the West Pacific, e.g. Palau, Yap and Fiji, and heading for Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao. The Department of Tourism in Surigao City has coordinated with Quarantine, Immigration and Customs agency offices to guarantee a smooth procedure with no hidden charges, so long as visiting yachts plan ahead and follow the basic steps given here. "outstanding coordinatio"" reported by S/Y Parlay, April 2025.

Surigao City offers easy acces to essential supplies plus, basic spares and equipment. Transport around the City is easy by motorized tricycle or Maxim taxi / delivery service is available.

Here are the Port of Surigao check in/out Clearance Procedures

Port of Tacloban, Leyte

Standing as it does at the southern end of the San Janico Strait, Tacloban is a popular Philippine port of entry and exit for yachts arriving / departing Micronesia and the West Pacific. It is especially popular for yachts clearing into the Philippines whose destination is Masbate, Mindoro, Romblon or Boracay. The current check-in/out protocol is that you notify QIC offices by email at least three days in advance of arrival and, unless you receive alternative instructions in reply, then you anchor the yacht and visit each QIC office with your crew and passengers. Road transport by motorized tricycle or Maxim taxi / delivery service is available.

Tacloban City offers easy access to essential supplies and basic equipment supplies plus, the current domestic airport is soon to be reclassified as "international" as soon as the new terminal building is completed (possibly as early as 2026). There are at least two good anchorages for check-in/out: the northwest area of Cancabato Bay and the area immediately East of Puro Island, the latter being very close to the soon to be launched yacht club (August 2025) and haul-out facility.

Port of Brooke's Point, Palawan

Brooke's Point for entry and exit clearance and is the first recognized port of entry for pleasure vessels if arriving / departing Borneo, Malaysia and Singapore. Most yachts however, will bypass Brooke's Point and proceed directly to Puerto Princesa because there are more facilities for cruising yachts in Puerto Princesa, including: moorings, yacht club and chandlery. One reason you may wish to enter / exit at Brook's Point is if you want to cruise and stop along the West coast of Palawan Island instead of the East Coast.

Port of Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Puerto Princesa is generally considered to be the best port of entry and exit clearance for yachts arriving / departing from Borneo, Malaysia and Singapore. Within Puerto Princesa bay there is good anchorage, a few moorings, yacht club and chandlery, plus an international airport. You have two possible anchorages good for check-in/out: Bay Walk (closest to Bureau of Quarantine); and; off Abanico Yacht Club (closest to Bureau of Customs and Immigration). Abanico Yacht Club will arrange transport to all offices if requested; Customs usually require a visit to the boat for which they charge a fee - up to US$50 (March 2025).

Port of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

Dumaguete City is generally considered to be a viable option for port of entry / exit clearance for yachts arriving / departing from Borneo and Indonesia. There is good anchorage off the waterfront bay walk area. Many yachts however (up to at least March 2025) have instead anchored in Tambobo Bay (Port Bonbonon on some charts) at the southern tip of Negros Island and then travelled by road to QIC offices in Dumaguete City; the travel time by bus or private hire car from Tambobo Bay to Dumaguete City is about one hour. Dumaguete City is colloquially known as the "University City" with a significant focus on marine research. It features a Philippine domestic airport, that connects the city directly to Cebu and Manila, and most national banks are represented here.

Port Irene, Cagayan

Port Irene is possibly the first / last port for entry to the Philippines for yachts arriving or departing from Japan and Taiwan. Clearance procedures in Port Irene are accomplished within the Port, where you can anchor in the port area and use your dinghy to get ashore; Coast Guard, Customs, Immigration and Quarantine offices will visit by prior arrangement. Port Irene is the most northerly port for entry / exit clearance in the northeast corner of Luzon and gives you the option of exploring the foothills of the Sierra Madra mountain range, cruising and stopping in the Babuyan Islands, the beach fishing around Aparri, the forest of windmills around Pagudpud and the city of Laoag (location of the Philippines' most northerly International Airport). If you do not want to enter or exit through Port Irene then you will probably use the Port of San Fernando, La Union.

Note: Port Irene is currently undergoing expansion so there may be some disruption to schedules, so make sure you make contact in advance to enjoy hassle-free entry / exit.

Port of San Fernando, La Union

San Fernando is possibly the first / last port for entry to the Philippines for yachts arriving or departing from China and Hong Kong. Clearance procedures in San Fernando are accomplished at Poro Point, where you can anchor North of the port area and use your dinghy to get ashore; Coast Guard, Customs, Immigration and Quarantine offices are within walking distance from the jetty. San Fernando is the most northerly port for entry / exit clearance on the West coast of Luzon and gives you the option of cruising and stopping in such places as One Hundred Islands, Anda Island and Bolinao. If you do not want to enter or exit through San Fernando then you will probably use the Port of Subic Bay.

Port of Subic Bay, Zambales

The port of Subic Bay is a popular Philippine entry / exit port for clearing pleasure vessels in / out, on the West coast of Luzon Island, for yachts arriving / departing from / to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam. Many essential services are available within Subic Bay, including: marina berths, moorings, haul-out (travel-lift and slipway), repair facilities and chandlery, for both monohulls and catamarans. You are required to notify the Port Authority on VHF Channel 16 upon entry and upon exit to the Bay, providing your yacht's name and stating your intent and destination. Port clearance services are offered by the Subic Bay Yacht Club and Watercraft Venture, for a modest fee, or you can pick up a mooring at Subic Sailing and then find your way to all offices yourself.