I’m out on the floating pier in Bonaire, just a short walk from the cruise ships. It’s a free spot where you can walk down a ramp and get right into the water, and with how clear the water is here, it’s hard not to want to jump in.
Bonaire Floating Pier: Free Swim Spot by the Cruise Port
Bonaire's floating pier is a short walk from the cruise ship, with free swimming, diving platforms, crystal clear water, fish and ramps right into the sea.
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Key Takeaways
- The floating pier is a short walk from the ship: just head down the main road from the cruise port and it’s right there.
- It’s free, so you can walk over and jump in for a swim if that’s what you want to do.
- The water’s deep enough to swim, there are diving platforms, and you’ll see people scuba diving nearby.
- The water is amazingly clear, and you can spot fish, including a couple of bright blue ones, right from the pier.
- It’s fully accessible, with ramps that lead all over the pier and one that goes right down into the water, plus ladders into the sea.
- You’ll find both locals and tourists here.
Good to Know
Most of the waterfront by the cruise port isn’t really beach. The water comes right up to the sea wall, so there isn’t a beach near the port where you’d spend the day. There’s one very small beach on the other side of the ship, but it’s not a place for a real beach day.
When you come out of the cruise port, turn left to head into downtown. Turning right, there’s really nothing there besides that small beach by the ship.
If you just want a quick dip in the ocean, or a spot to swim or dive without booking an excursion, the floating pier is probably your best bet. And if you use a wheelchair or have mobility issues, the ramps make it easy to get around.
Photos of the Floating Pier in Bonaire
