Salt Pier

Salt Pier is a shore dive on Bonaire, made up of the working pilings of an operational salt-loading pier. The massive pillars are heavily encrusted with purple, yellow, and pink sponges, and the structure creates a maze of man-made habitat layered over a natural reef bottom. The site ranges from 15 to 50 feet (roughly 5 to 17 metres) deep, putting the entire dive well within reach of beginners and intermediate divers.

Marine life at the pier is dense and varied. Large schools of groupers, snappers, and tarpon move between the pillars, sea turtles graze in the shallows, and schools of silversides shelter under the deck. Seahorses and frogfish live among the growth on the pilings, and spotted drums, barracuda, and lionfish are also present. Sunbeams filtering down through the structure make the site particularly rewarding for underwater photography.

Salt Pier is a shore entry dive. Because the pier is still in active commercial use by Cargill, diving is only permitted when no ships are present at the pier; always confirm access is open before entering the water.