Natural pool and Oro Bay Isle of Pines

Up north of the Oro peninsula on the east of the île des Pins, Oro Bay is framed by Wété Island and Kô ngéâa ké Island. Separated by incredibly beautiful inlets, the famous Piscine naturelle (a natural rock pool) can be found where the inlets end. Getting there is a piece of cake. From the main road, a short walk along the trail or along the water’s edge (at low tide) takes just 15 minutes. Watch the little sand fiddler crabs slide into their holes as you approach.

If you’ve just finished your pirogue trip to Upi Bay, you’ll first pass through a beautiful forest, before arriving at an inlet. This is where you pay the 200 franc entry fee to the Piscine naturelle. You then wade through the channel with your feet in the water (thigh-high, if the tide is in). Stop for a moment and marvel! This channel with its crystal-clear turquoise water is surrounded on both sides by Araucaria pines trees that seem to reach the sky. The white of the sand, the blue of the water and sky, and the green of the araucarias are incredibly pure. Don’t forget to immortalise the moment!

On arrival, the basin carved into the coral is breathtakingly beautiful. The whole pool sparkles in the sun. Massive coral reefs topped with Araucaria pines tree surround the lake, in the middle of which sit the famous “patates” (“potatoes” or coral heads). It’s around these coral rocks that you’ll encounter a multitude of small, colourful marine creatures: butterfly fish, clown fish, parrot fish… Put on your snorkel, mask and fins to admire them up close! Just splash around in the shallow water, spread out your towel, and enjoy! At the end of the pool, waves crash against the rocks, offering a lovely spectacle. Be careful, though, especially if you’re with kids: the currents and power of the waves here are unpredictable.