WILLEMSTAD – Military exercises and public demonstrations will take place in and around the Sint Annabaai over the coming days as part of preparations surrounding the upcoming maritime event Velas Curaçao 2026.
The activities were confirmed through an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), alerting pilots and the public to temporary operational restrictions in the area.
According to the notice, the exercises will be carried out by the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard together with military units operating in Curaçao.
The demonstrations will be visible to the public around the Annabaai area and are expected to form part of operational preparations and public maritime displays linked to the international event.
Velas Curaçao 2026 is scheduled to take place from May 2 through May 8 and will bring several large sailing ships from different countries into the harbor of Sint Annabaai.
The maritime event is expected to attract both local spectators and international visitors, adding to the island’s tourism and maritime activity during the week.
Authorities have also announced a temporary drone ban during the military operations.
The restriction has been put in place to protect the safety of both the exercises and the participating personnel.
The no-drone zone will be enforced during the scheduled activity windows and applies from ground level up to approximately 600 meters in altitude.
The military activities are planned for:
· April 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
· May 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Officials are calling on the public to respect all safety measures and strictly comply with the temporary drone prohibition.
Unauthorized drone activity during military or coast guard operations can interfere with flight paths, surveillance operations and security procedures.
The exercises are expected to be part of a broader security and maritime coordination effort as Curaçao prepares to host one of the region’s largest international sailing events.