Policy at Salt Pier

[drbill]

We tried to dive Salt Pier last night and were rudely told by a guide there from another resort that we could only do the night dive at the pier with a guide. I know policies at Salt Pier have changed over the years following security concerns there after 9/11 but had heard diving there was no longer as restrictive now. What have been your experiences diving Salt Pier?

 

[jimbeeler]

The resorts seem to tell everyone that a guide is needed. I had read here, that was no longer a requirement. We dove it last week during the day without issue. We parked just north of the pier and walked in. When we came out there were others going in.

I have no idea why one would need a guide there anyway. Are they afraid divers are going to disturb all of the trash under the pier? Are they afraid someone is going to plant a bomb under this mostly deserted pier? No idea.

Jim

 

[sphyrnidus]

A guide is not required. Only if there is a ship moored, you're not allowed to dive there.
In the past it said in the brochures you'd need a guide, this was however never based on anything either. So don't worry and dive...

 

[diversteve]

Salt Pier - most recent info I found (5/2014). No idea who the responder is.

 

[diverjen]

No guide required. We dove it during the day a couple of weeks ago. There were even two trucks of Salt Pier employees sitting in the parking lot out and out walking around. I assume dive shops telling people a guide is required is self serving, although being rude is not cool either way!

Have fun!

 

[djtimmy77]

If he was Dutch I could easily see the rudeness factor. Go back tonight and have fun! (If there isn't a ship there)

 

[sphyrnidus]

Come on Timmy, we're the most polite people in the world Well almost....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mbs]

Sounds like the guide wanted it all to him/her self for the paying customers... No call to be rude!!! I suspect I would have had some choice words or gestures, but that might be a ny thing

 

[Lorenzoid]

Good to know. We, too, have been misinformed that a guide is required. Then again, we first visited Bonaire in 2009, I think. Maybe there had been a requirement at one time?

The Salt Pier night dive we did with a guide from Buddy's was one of the best night dives I can recall.

 

[Damselfish]

are there different rules for day and night?