Diving Regulations - Caribbean

[MJ360]

We are heading to the Islands for the winter with the primary purpose of diving. For several islands (Saba, St. Eustatius) I have discovered that diving from your own boat is not permitted. Using dive operators all the time would break the bank in a matter of weeks (we have a compressor onboard). Does anyone know of a source where I can learn the diving regulations for each island; or am I stuck researching island by island? It would truly suck to go through the hassle and expense of clearing in to an island, and then finding prohibitive diving regulations.

Many thanks.

[s/v Moondancer]

No single source that we ever found.

We spent 6 years sailing and diving in the Caribbean but it was either expensive or frustrating so we got our diving fix by spending long periods in Bonaire. It is only 3-4 days sail from St Thomas.

https://www.google.com/search?q=divi...w=1422&bih=682

[MJ360]

Bonaire is our favorite. Planning a month there. Still hoping to find some diving on the way.

[fivecapes]

This would be a very useful database.

[billknny]

It is virtually impossible to summarize such rules, since it does not vary only from island to island, but within each country as well. For example, some marine parks have no diving, some snorkel only, some have guided trips only. Some allow spearfishing, some don't... some allow spear guns, some Hawaiian slings, some pole spears. etc, etc, etc.

Such research really isn't hard. Start with the better cruising guides, and follow up online for current info.

It's not like you are going to do the entire Caribbean at a go. Each time you jump off, you'll have two or three alternative destinations, so check those, and pick your spot. You have to do your research for ports of entry, and entry requirements anyway, what's an extra google search on top of that???

[DMCantor]

Chris Doyle's cruising guides contain information about the diving rules on each island. You need to buy 2-3 of them to cover the entire chain, but they are very useful for other purposes as well. We often see his catamaran, Ti Kanot, in Caribbean anchorages.

[MJ360]

Excellent. I purchased the Doyle guides; they arrived today.

[denverd0n]

Just remember that laws can change at any time, so it is always best to double-check that your cruising guide is current for the country you are visiting.

[MJ360]

The Doyle Guides are 2017/18; hopefully current. I am going through the guides, island by island, and will summarize the results here. On return, I will update and repost.