Policy at Salt Pier

[wwguy]

The BNMP replied to my email inquiry. They aren't aware of any current permitting process, enforcement, or official policy from the Harbour Master or the salt company regarding diving at the Salt Pier. Like us, they believe that the current unofficial common-sense rule is that diving is allowed when no ships are in the area.

I've also learned from an island resident that Cargill gave a similar response when asked informally during a recent tour of the salt works.

 

[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.

Hmm, now that I think about it, I can't recall for sure whether Buddy's informed us a guide was "required." It's more likely we said something about Salt Pier, and they said "We can arrange that for you." I wouldn't want to libel Buddy Dive

In view of this thread, Salt Pier is now definitely on our list for our October trip (just booked yesterday!).

 

[drbill]

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

Definitely not Dutch and I am slightly offended by that remark since I have known a number of Dutch people and some of them have been my dive buddies.

As for the regulations, my dive op (Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn) contacted Cargill, the town harbor master and the marine park and all three said thee was no such requirement. Perhaps it is the other resort's policy, but then why did the instructor tell divers from other operations they couldn't dive without a buddy?

 

[deco_martini]

Definitely not Dutch and I am slightly offended by that remark since I have known a number of Dutch people and some of them have been my dive buddies.

As for the regulations, my dive op (Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn) contacted Cargill, the town harbor master and the marine park and all three said thee was no such requirement. Perhaps it is the other resort's policy, but then why did the instructor tell divers from other operations they couldn't dive without a buddy?

Human Nature. People gotta act like a boss.

I hope you showed him Figure 1.

---------- Post added June 20th, 2014 at 08:54 PM ----------

So how is Salt Pier at night?

 

[drbill]

Buddy Dive apparently does have their own posted policy re: requiring a guide at Salt Pier. No problem with them requiring that of those who stay there. However, it apparently is not the official policy. Any dive operation can impose its own policies on its guests which is why it is important to research these and ask the right questions prior to selecting a resort or operator. I chose not to stay at Buddy Dive based on some of their policies. Nothing wrong with their policies, I just disagreed with them for me. And AFAIK, no operator has the right to impose their policies on divers diving with other operators.

 

[djtimmy77]

Definitely not Dutch and I am slightly offended by that remark since I have known a number of Dutch people and some of them have been my dive buddies.

Don't be offended...we've obviously just had different experiences with dutch folks....and it won't keep me from going back to Bonaire.

 

[dbulmer]

DrBill,

If you get the chance to do the Lighthouse do it - it's a wee bit different to the other dives over there.
I did the Salt Pier many years ago with a dive guide from BuddyDive and it was a nice and gentle dive which I enjoyed immensely.

Having said that, I would not dive again with BuddyDive as they had one policy in particular that I disagreed with and still do - not a big issue but related loosely to what you can or cannot do there.

Have fun sir

 

[Doctorfish]

Don't understand how Buddy dive could enforce a policy of this nature. You load your truck, park at the shore, dive where and when you want. How would they know if you were at Salt Pier?

Anyone know whether BD does boat dives at Salt Pier?

 

[Lorenzoid]

Don't understand how Buddy dive could enforce a policy of this nature. You load your truck, park at the shore, dive where and when you want. How would they know if you were at Salt Pier?

Do posted rules not matter unless they can be enforced?

That said, I think if I stayed at Buddy's again, I would not hesitate to dive Salt Pier without one of their guides. It seems a bit deceptive of them to post a rule but not disclose that it is their house rule and not a rule of any other authority. I can't recall exactly what we were told, but they said nothing to imply it might be only their house rule. Being misleading and deceptive does not sit well with me.

 

[drrich2]

Do posted rules not matter unless they can be enforced?

Dr. Bill is not staying at Buddy Dive Resort. Even if he were, I don't think Buddy can effectively make a house rule about an off-grounds site they don't own or control.

If you get the chance to do the Lighthouse do it - it's a wee bit different to the other dives over there.

I've been diving off the south end of the island, once at Lighthouse and 3 times at an unmarked site just west of it aways, and the reef was lush and we were impressed; that's why 3 dives at that 2nd site. That said and for any newcomers reading this thread, I would add:

1.) Waves often pound the south coast. I wouldn't have gotten in were the weather conditions not quite atypical that week, and we were traveling with a group with my old instructor out of Nashville (Parrot Island Divers), and he'd been to Bonaire many times and could 'read' the conditions and affirm they were appropriate.

2.) Things can change. That unmarked site, our 1rst dive was great, but the other 2 less so (even in the same place), and on one dive there we swam into current heading out, it changed directions, we swam into it coming back. Crazy.

3.) At one of the sites, some kind of biting gnat swam followed us out over the water, and we were back swimming and splashing at them trying to drive them away. Only one of the 4 south end dives.

I know Dr. Bill hails from California and probably has lots of dives in conditions that might've drowned me, but some people reading this thread may not have that experience. If conditions are good, and you have a way to know they're good, the south end can be quite nice.

Richard.