Salt Pier

Overview: The World’s Most Iconic Pier Dive

Located in the south of Bonaire near the vast pink salt pans of Cargill, Salt Pier is one of the most photographed and ecologically rich shore dives on the planet.

Constructed for bulk salt cargo vessels, the pier’s steel and concrete support pilings have been completely transformed over decades into a vibrant artificial reef covered in brilliant orange cup corals, encrusting sponges, and gorgonian fans.

Detailed Dive Route & Navigation

• Shore Entry: Park your rental pick-up truck near the yellow roadside stone marked “Salt Pier”. Step carefully into the water over the smooth coral rubble shore (wear 5mm hard-soled dive boots).
• The Pillar Forests (5m–12m): Kick out 40 metres to the first set of loading pilings. Weave slowly between the massive underwater columns:
  • Vast schools of thousands of silver bigeye scads, yellow snapper, and french grunts swirl between the pillars.
  • Giant tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) measuring up to 2 metres patrol the shadows, hunting small baitfish.
  • Inspect the metal pilings closely at eye level for camouflaged frogfish, seahorses, and flamingo tongue snails (Cyphoma gibbosum).
• The Outer Reef & Seagrass (12m–15m): Swim out past the main loading platforms where the reef transitions to sand and seagrass meadows filled with grazing green sea turtles and southern stingrays.

Bonaire STINAPA Rules & Pier Etiquette

• Active Port Protocol: Diving is permitted only when no commercial salt ship is docked at the pier. If a vessel is moored or approaching, diving is strictly prohibited by port authorities.
• STINAPA Nature Fee: All divers must purchase the digital Bonaire Marine Park (STINAPA) Nature Tag ($40/year) before entering the water.
• Certification Level: Open Water (18m). Depths rarely exceed 15m, making this an ideal 60-minute leisurely shore dive for divers of all experience levels.

Technical Dive Profile & Navigation

1. Entry & Descent Mechanics

• Descent Method: Careful shore walk-in over reef platform or steps, kicking out to the descent buoy before dropping to prevent surface drift.
• Ear Equalization: Equalize continuously every 1 metre during the descent phase to prevent sinus or middle-ear barotrauma.
• Compass Heading & Navigation: Set a primary heading toward the main reef structure. Maintain buddy contact within 2 metres throughout the descent.

2. Deep Section & Gas Management (14m to 15m)

• NDL Discipline: At depths of 15m, your No-Decompression Limit ticks down rapidly. Monitor your dive computer continuously.
• The Craig Rule: Divers certified to Open Water level (18m maximum) must stay on the upper reef shelf and never follow advanced divers down past 18m.
• Turnaround Gas: Signal your buddy and start your ascent when the first diver reaches 110 bar (or one-third of usable cylinder capacity).

3. Ascent & 5m Safety Stop

• Ascent Rate: Ascend along the reef wall at a controlled rate not exceeding 9 metres per minute.
• Mandatory Safety Stop: Complete a strict 3-to-5-minute safety stop at 5 metres (15 feet) before deploying an SMB and surfacing with a 360-degree overhead scan.

Marine Life & Habitat Zones (Biologically Verified)

• Apex & Pelagic Predators: Tarpons (Megalops atlanticus), Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari), Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda).
• Reef Fish & Keystone Species: French Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru), Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris), Stoplight Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride).
• Macro Biodiversity & Benthic Invertebrates: Longlure Frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus), Slender Seahorses (Hippocampus reidi), Flamingo Tongue Snails (Cyphoma gibbosum).
• Elasmobranchs & Marine Reptiles: Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Southern Stingrays (Hypanus americanus).