Salt Pier
Salt Pier
4.5
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Dive site that requires a local divemaster with Harbor Master's permission.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
363 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
115
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Rochelle F
Randolph, NJ1,287 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The ship finally left and we went to snorkel here. So happy to see turtles before we leafy Bonaire. There were 6 of them and it was fun to watch them. There are lots of fish - large schools of small, medium and large fish. We circled around the pier and also snorkeled by shore.
We did not have a very heavy undertow on Sunday so found it relatively easy to snorkel all around.
One of best sites for snorkeling from shore to see turtles in our opinion.
We did not have a very heavy undertow on Sunday so found it relatively easy to snorkel all around.
One of best sites for snorkeling from shore to see turtles in our opinion.
Written June 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Opa
Racine, WI147 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
The day was stormy and sunny off and on all day, so the amazing pink hue was not very visible. The fish however, were very visible. There was a lot of sealife to explore while here. I didn't go far but saw plenty. My wife ventured out with divers a couple hundred yards and saw much bigger versions of the wild life further from shore. Great stop glad we were here rain or shine.
Written December 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iowacityia
iowa city, ia2,993 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We were only visiting from the shore, a stop on our Holland America shore excursion. A short stop, we were able to check out the pier from afar, the salt mountains, and the remnants of a building that they dump salt into, for tourists to check out. All of these sights were quite interesting for us.
Written December 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicki M
60 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This was our first time visiting Bonaire and with approximately 90 dive sites it can be hard to narrow down where to go. This spot was recommended and during our week long trip we went twice. We are beginner scuba divers. The site has easy access from shore, a range of depths to see the wide range of marine life (sooo many fish!). We saw turtles each time we dove here and there were seahorses spotted by a lucky few. Visit this site early during your stay because it will be closed when the ship comes to load salt (ship will close the site for days).
Written June 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcy A
Houston, TX247 contributions
Feb 2023
We drove ourselves to see the salt flats and it was fantastic. It was so interesting to see the equipment scraping the salt and the conveyor systems. Definitely, a place to visit. By the terminal pier, they have a box of salt crystals that you can take as a souvenir.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Every Step Every Nation
Santa Cruz, CA81 contributions
Jan 2023
Bonaire has a stunning landscape and seascape. Salt Pier is one of it. The crystal clear and warm waters are everywhere and the amazing sceneries are eye-catching. One of the ways to see Salt Pier is by bike and the road leading to the Salt Pier and Salt Mountain is up to par.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kath_Lau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands237 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
This was by far the most outstanding snorkel sites out of all the recommended snorkel sites in Bonaire. The pier provides ample surface for sponges and corals to grow on and there are so many schools of fish of different sizes happily pecking away at the corals. It was a colourful world and everytime you turn your head there's something new to see. I saw a few pairs of French Angelfish dancing in the sea which was a delight.
You can easily spend an hour exploring and not realise time has passed.
It's easy to get to by car and you don't need to have special equipment to see all the delights but a snorkeling mask and a pair of flippers.
Note that snorkelling is not allowed when the big Cargill ship is there. I was lucky the ship left 2 days before my holiday ended so I managed to snorkel there.
You can easily spend an hour exploring and not realise time has passed.
It's easy to get to by car and you don't need to have special equipment to see all the delights but a snorkeling mask and a pair of flippers.
Note that snorkelling is not allowed when the big Cargill ship is there. I was lucky the ship left 2 days before my holiday ended so I managed to snorkel there.
Written January 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
momof2wildchilds
Denver, CO860 contributions
Dec 2019
This was the first place we went to dive and really enjoyed the light thru the pylons. We saw two large moray eels fighting or mating and one of them swim away during this first dive it was spectacular. There were turtles and just so many different fish to delight in. Easy dive and not deeper then 45 ft. made it a nice intro to the area.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LizaB
Las Vegas, NV584 contributions
Sept 2022
We dove the salt pier twice and both times saw amazing sea life. First dive out we saw a sea turtle eating sea grass and then 15 min later a spotted eagle ray. So many schools of fish. Healthy looking hard and soft coral. Loved all the stag horn coral.
Second dive a few days later was phenomenal. Saw a sea turtle going out towards the pier and tons of fish. The highlights were our guide finding a seahorse and another diver finding an octopus! Wow! The grand finale of the dive was 7-8 sea turtles grazing on sea grass. Truly a magical dive.
Easy entry and exit. Dive site good for all dive levels. Max depth 50 feet but ideally only need to stay 20-30 feet to see all the fabulous life.
Second dive a few days later was phenomenal. Saw a sea turtle going out towards the pier and tons of fish. The highlights were our guide finding a seahorse and another diver finding an octopus! Wow! The grand finale of the dive was 7-8 sea turtles grazing on sea grass. Truly a magical dive.
Easy entry and exit. Dive site good for all dive levels. Max depth 50 feet but ideally only need to stay 20-30 feet to see all the fabulous life.
Written September 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,856 contributions
Jan 2023
Bonaire is primary a dive destination and for us not participating in it there're very few attractions.
We had only 7 hours to spend here during our cruise, so we rented a car and drove around the entire island.
The salt pier is some 15 min drive south from Kralendijk and cruise port and you cannot miss it driving the coastal road. It was interesting to see the salt ponds and pure white salt mountains, as well the huge salt transportation structure. However, it's just a 10 min photo stop and you cannot enter the premises.
We had only 7 hours to spend here during our cruise, so we rented a car and drove around the entire island.
The salt pier is some 15 min drive south from Kralendijk and cruise port and you cannot miss it driving the coastal road. It was interesting to see the salt ponds and pure white salt mountains, as well the huge salt transportation structure. However, it's just a 10 min photo stop and you cannot enter the premises.
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I suppose if you phoned the office they might take you in further but mostly you can see everything from the road. There are lots of do not trespass signs up so don't go wondering. We didn't see one worker when we went and scouted the area out.
I don't know of any company run tours. Most cruise ship buses just drive past with someone talking about it. The old slave huts are close too.
Written March 7, 2020
Is it possible to snorkel at the Salt Pier? is the snorkeling any good?
Written February 23, 2017
I am on a cruise and just wanted to go and see the Salt Pyramids. Is it free only I was just going to book a taxi to take us there as cheaper than the ships excursion. Thanks
Written November 5, 2019
Is it possible to snorkel at the Salt Pier? is the snorkeling any good?
Written February 23, 2017
Yes, you can snorkel at Salt Pier when a ship is not in. You'll want to have dive boots and open heeled fins so you can walk over the coral rocks into the ocean since it's not a sandy entry. The pilings are loaded with coral growth, blennies and juveniles. You'll see schools of fish hanging out between the pilings. This site is very photogenic above and below the water.
Written August 23, 2017
We were on Bonaire a couple of years ago and while shopping in town on our last night we were told you can go to the salt mines at night and find salt crystals and take them. Is this true? Has anyone done this? Where would you go for this? We definitely don't want to trespass or be where we shouldn't be. But also love the idea of a free souvenir.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Written May 18, 2015
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