Question about diving Salt Pier

[jorgie6]

We'll be returning to Bonaire this June, haven't been since July 2004. At that time, you could only dive Salt Pier with a guide. I'll assume this is no longer the case? Would appreciate any advice on diving this site. Are restrictions only in place when there is a ship in?
Thank you!

 

[KeithG]

no guide or permit required. it is off limits if there is a ship in.

 

[vann evans]

you may dive salt pier without a guide anytime there is not a ship at the pier or they are not doing maintenance at the pier. If there is a ship, they are usually there for 2-3 days laoding salt.
we have done it many times without a problem.
Vann Evans
A4 Sand Dollar, Bonaire

 

[redacted]

Your dive op may tell you a guide is required. Don't believe them. I usually park south of the southern most small building and enter just south of there in a sandy cut. If waves are up, you may need to empty sand from your booties.

 

[tkaelin]

In addition to what has been answered, tends to be a popular site. Our favorite time to dive Salt Pier is late afternoon. It tends to be less crowded, not as hot gearing up and the sun is behind the pier and structures creating wonderful lighting through the piers. Also don't ignore the shallows on the way in and out. We have seen turtles hanging in the shallows preoccupied with what looks like feeding but what they could be eating in the hardpan I have no idea. You can sit and watch them til you get bored or run out of air.

 

[wwguy]

Also don't ignore the shallows on the way in and out. We have seen turtles hanging in the shallows preoccupied with what looks like feeding but what they could be eating in the hardpan I have no idea. You can sit and watch them til you get bored or run out of air.

+1 for this. We've seen spotted eagle rays, turtles, squid, seahorses and a lot of surface-swimming divers that weren't paying attention.

 

[shoredivr]

A school of motionless barracuda between 5 and 10 ft.

 

[AdivingBel]

We'll sit in the lot and eat lunch watching folks enter & exit. It's not a tough entry per se, but it can be entertaining. I've had to pick doner brood out of truck vents after spit-takes watching some of the "gymnastics." I know it sounds mean, but if anybody actually gets hurt (other than a little blood & bruise, we all get those) I'm right there to offer assistance/help, I swear.

 

[dmaziuk]

We'll sit in the lot and eat lunch watching folks enter & exit. It's not a tough entry per se, but it can be entertaining. I've had to pick doner brood out of truck vents after spit-takes watching some of the "gymnastics." I know it sounds mean, but if anybody actually gets hurt (other than a little blood & bruise, we all get those) I'm right there to offer assistance/help, I swear.

We actually went for in as our very 1st dive on Bonaire. In retrospect perhaps that wasn't the best idea.

 

[boat sju]

Right under the north side of the pier there's a slab you can sit on. If the waves are right you just time it, turn, and you're in. Like getting in a pool off the deck.