This fall I am going to be sailing down the Lesser Antilles with plans to do as much diving as possible. I have heard that it is illegal to dive in Dominica and Saba without using a local company or guide. Does anyone know if this is true? Would the fact that i'm an instructor make a difference? Thanks for any input you can offer.
The "Dive Shop Preservation Act" is alive and well on Dominica, as to enforcement, wardens would be required.
You might get a verbal lashing from an LDS boat if they happened by. But then you could threaten to reveal them to be employed with only tourist visas, or better yet reluctantly admit that you have been hired to inspect all the dive sites prior to their purchase by the Chinese Government, after the complete nationalization of local diving. (you'll get the references when you arrive).
That said I did use a local DMs on my recent trip, but I in the past I have made dives all along they Leewards and Windwards without any "help" or problems. When needed I always try to use the local guys everywhere I can, they hustle for the work with a smile.
If you are planning to stop in Prince Rupert Bay/Portsmouth (an excellent harbor, one of my favs, especially coming from the north or a stop prior to heading north, with good holding or $10 moorings.) check out Cobra Tours & Yacht services:
www.cobratours.dm he has recently added an excellent, experienced local DM and rendezvous scuba operation to his range of yacht services. Give him a call direct, #s on the web site. He's good value and way better personal service than the Dive only operations. It's likely your group of 2 or 4 will dive where and how you want without another 10-14 other divers on the boat.
