While sailing in the Sir Francis Drake channel, Salt Island is a great anchorage to explore!
Salt Island
Take advantage of the great diving, snorkeling, hiking, and beachcombing Salt Island has to offer. The island is renowned for the wreck of the RMS Rhone.
The RMS Rhone is consistently ranked among the top ten dive wrecks globally and is often considered the premier dive site in the Caribbean.
Beyond its marine attractions, Salt Island boasts two large, naturally formed salt ponds. These ponds fill with seawater and dry out during the summer months, leaving a salt crust around their edges. Locals would collect this salt and sell it to passing vessels.
Before the advent of refrigeration, salt was a vital means of preserving meat and fish. As a result, boats would anchor near the shore, and people would row ashore to stock up on this essential commodity.
Explore the island
 Here’s an exploration guide for Salt Island:
If you enjoy hiking on a secluded island, prepare for an invigorating experience. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear and apply bug spray. The trail to the right of the beach leads to a peak with a light station, offering breathtaking views. From this vantage point, you can admire the two expansive salt ponds and spot your charter yacht anchored near the only beach.
To the west, you’ll find the bay where the RMS Rhone lies, a renowned wreck site. Parts of the wreckage are visible in the shallow waters, while the main sections rest in deeper areas. The anchorage is an excellent spot for SCUBA diving qualifications due to the safe, shallow diving conditions. Snorkeling along the rocky coast is also a fantastic option for exploring the marine life.
The south side of the island features another large bay suitable for anchoring, but it’s not ideal during easterly and south-easterly winds.
MAN HEAD POINT
Man Head Point is a captivating natural landmark, a prominent headland extending eastward from the settlement. Depending on your vantage point, the cape’s unique shape can resemble the enigmatic Sphinx. Others claim it bears a striking resemblance to a Silverback Gorilla. For the best views, take a dinghy ride around the point, offering photographers and nature enthusiasts a variety of perspectives.
The stretch of shoreline nestled between the beach and Man Head Point transforms into a vibrant snorkeling paradise. The calm, shallow waters teem with an array of marine life. Keep an eye out for graceful southern stingrays, playful turtles, sleek jacks, colorful goatfish, watchful barracuda, and a dazzling array of aquarium fish. You might even spot large groups of curious Caribbean reef squid, often observing snorkelers from the edge of the reef.
Snorkeling around the bay
Another critter you’re likely to see here is the octopi! These masters of disguise can cross a checkerboard and change their color to match. They could certainly improve their housekeeping habits. At night, they leave their lair to search for crabs and shells. When they find a shell, they take it home to eat, tossing the empty shell out the front door. Don’t look for the octopus; look for a small group of shells while snorkeling. Next to the pile, there will be a small hole or gap in the rocks. Take a look; there will be an eye looking back at you! Octopi make great little workers, collecting and cleaning shells for you.
The wreck of the Rhone
The Wreck of RMS Rhone, situated off the coast of Salt Island, is a highly sought-after wreck diving destination. The Rhone tragically sank on October 29, 1867, during a hurricane, resulting in the loss of 123 lives.
If you wish to find out much more about this famous wreck dive, please read this BLOG.
