Whilst the photos are all of my own I have asked the good people of the Perplexity to tell me about the Natural pool on the Isle of Pine in New Caledonia.
I will spread this post over two post - one above the surface and one below, so let's see what the AI's got to say:
The Natural Pool on the Isle of Pines, or Piscine Naturelle, is one of New Caledonia’s most spectacular hidden gems. Tucked away near Oro Bay, this stunning lagoon looks like something out of a dream—turquoise water so clear it feels unreal, encircled by lush rainforest and the island’s iconic columnar pine trees. Carved naturally out of coral, the pool is protected from waves by a barrier of rock and reef, making the water calm and perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
Okay me again - Hidden is right, there where literally 5 people there when we were there, there is a resort nearby but it was closed for renovations so there where just us, and yeah to get there we had we walk down a river (some reef shoes would have been a reasonable idea) but it was worth it.
Slip on a mask (which we will be doing in tomorrow's post) and you’ll drift into a living aquarium. The pool is filled with colorful marine life—think butterflyfish, parrotfish, clownfish, and even the occasional sea turtle gliding through the coral. With virtually no current, it’s ideal for beginners or anyone who just wants to float and take in the beauty of the underwater world. Many visitors say it’s the best snorkeling spot in all of New Caledonia.
You can reach the pool either by walking a short forest trail from Oro Bay or by taking a traditional outrigger canoe across Upi Bay - both routes are scenic and part of the adventure. There’s a small entry fee, which helps the local tribe preserve the area’s environment. We didn't do either, as I said we drove down a road, parked the car by the side of the road - paid some locals something like $10 to enter their lands and then walked about 500m up as river.
Peaceful, otherworldly, and teeming with natural wonder, the Natural Pool is the perfect spot to unwind and soak up the magic of the Isle of Pines.
Honestly as I think you can probably tell this place is actually as beautiful as everyone (and by everyone I mean almost no one) says