Salt Pier

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Salt Pier is a notable shore dive located in the southern part of Bonaire. The site’s defining feature is a series of large concrete and steel pillars that support a conveyor belt system. This infrastructure is actively used by the Cargill salt production facility to load ships with sea salt harvested from the adjacent solar salt pans.

Over the decades, these submerged pillars have developed into a thriving artificial reef. When no cargo ships are docked, the area is open to recreational divers. The structure provides hard substrate in an area that is otherwise predominantly sandy, attracting significant marine life. Because the site is shallow and typically free of currents, it is frequently recommended for novice divers. Those seeking the best places to learn to manage buoyancy around overhead structures will find the Salt Pier an appropriate environment, often visited by students shortly after completing an open water course.

The Dive Experience

Accessing the Salt Pier involves a relatively straightforward shore entry. Divers park their vehicles on the side of the coastal road, directly opposite the pink-hued salt evaporation ponds. The entry consists of walking across a coral rubble beach and wading into the water. As with other Bonaire shore dives, durable dive boots are strongly recommended. Consult our guide on travel and packing to ensure you have the appropriate footwear for these types of entries.

Once in the water, divers navigate a short distance over the sandy bottom to reach the first set of pillars. The dive profile is shallow, with a maximum depth of approximately 15 to 18 meters (50 to 60 feet) at the outermost pillars, while the majority of the dive is spent between 5 and 10 meters. The shallow depth and calm surface conditions contribute to extended bottom times and excellent ambient light, which is particularly advantageous for underwater photography.

It is important to reiterate that diving is strictly prohibited by the Bonaire National Marine Park authorities when a vessel is moored at the pier. Attempting to dive during commercial operations is illegal and highly dangerous. Always verify the site’s status before entering the water.

What You’ll See

The pillars themselves are the primary focal point of the dive. They are densely encrusted with a variety of marine growth, including large orange elephant ear sponges, purple tube sponges, and various species of soft corals and tunicates.

This complex vertical environment provides shelter for numerous fish species. Large schools of grunt, snapper, and goatfish are typically observed aggregating in the shadows cast by the pier overhead. Solitary great barracudas and schools of jacks frequently patrol the perimeter of the structure. The site is also known for its population of resident tarpon; these large, silvery fish can often be seen suspended in the water column between the pillars, particularly in the late afternoon.

The coral rubble and sandy areas at the base of the pillars are excellent locations to observe foraging green and hawksbill sea turtles. Additionally, careful inspection of the sponge formations on the pillars may reveal macro subjects such as frogfish, longsnout seahorses, and arrow crabs. The interplay of sunlight filtering down through the structure and the colorful marine growth on the pillars provides numerous compositional opportunities for wide-angle photography.

Planning Your Dive

Due to its popularity and accessibility, the Salt Pier can become crowded, particularly during the mid-morning hours. Arriving early in the morning or planning a late afternoon dive can offer a quieter experience and different lighting conditions. Night diving is also permitted at the Salt Pier when no ships are present, offering a distinct perspective on the site as the nocturnal marine life, including octopuses and hunting tarpon, becomes active.

Visitors should note that the southern road leading to the site is a two-way street, unlike the northern tourist loop, making it easy to travel between the Salt Pier and other nearby southern sites like Alice in Wonderland or the Hilma Hooker wreck. When planning multiple dives in this sector, many divers choose the Salt Pier as a long, shallow second or third dive to off-gas safely. For the latest regulations and status regarding dive site accessibility, divers should check with their local dive operator or refer to the official Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) guidelines.