The Cargill salt pier on Bonaire's south coast is no feat of design — a steel industrial structure where large ships berth to load salt. But underwater? Magical. The pillars are covered in soft coral and sponges, schools of tarpon cruise between the beams, barracuda hang in the shade, and the light falling through the pier creates an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else on Bonaire.
What is Salt Pier, exactly?
Salt Pier is a working industrial pier belonging to Cargill — the company that has produced salt in Bonaire's southern salt pans since 1976. Ships berth here to load thousands of tonnes of salt for export worldwide. Beneath the pier, meanwhile, a unique ecosystem grows.
When can you dive here?
Salt Pier is only open to divers and snorkelers when no ship is berthed. This is a safety rule — diving is strictly forbidden during ship operations.
- Check ahead: call your dive shop or look from the road to see whether the pier is clear
- Sign: Cargill posts a notice when diving is not allowed
- Frequency: typically 4–6 ships a month, so accessible roughly 70–80% of the time
How do you reach the pier?
- Location: south coast, ~20 min drive from Kralendijk
- Parking: on the west side of the pier, along the road
- Entry: from the yellow "Salt Pier" stone, walk in down the rocky slope
- Exit: the same spot
What do you see underwater?
The pier rests on dozens of pillars you can follow down to about 12 metres. The pier itself casts permanent shade, creating a unique microclimate.
- Schools of tarpon often hang by the dozen between the pillars — sometimes over a metre long
- Barracuda cruise slowly through the shade zone
- French angelfish, parrotfish and large schools of hunting fish
- Soft coral and sponges in every colour cover the pillars
- Moray eels and snake eels hide in the crevices
- Sometimes sea turtles passing by
- Octopus in the evening hours
What level is Salt Pier for?
For divers: Open Water level is enough. No strong current, max depth ~12 m. For snorkelers: the shallower water around the pier is spectacular too, especially with fins and good lung capacity.
The best times to dive
- Morning (8:00–10:00): calm water, clear visibility, tarpon often active
- Dusk (16:00–18:00): magical light under the pier, hunting active
- Night dives: popular and special — octopus, sleeping fish, glowing corals
- Avoid: midday (the light is straight overhead, little drama)
Key rules and safety
- No pier penetration without a certified guide. Navigating under the pier itself requires an overhead-environment certification.
- Don't climb on the pier. It is Cargill private property.
- Dive flag required. Boats can still be around.
- STINAPA Nature Tag. For both diving and snorkeling.
- Don't touch. Sponges and coral are fragile.
Combine with…
Salt Pier sits on the southern ring road, perfect to combine with:
- Pekelmeer Sanctuary (flamingos, 5 min further)
- The Slave Huts (the orange, white and red huts — 10 min)
- Pink Beach (15 min)
- Willemstoren lighthouse (the far south point)
A full southern loop is worth half a day.