Walks, Arches, Chasms and Swimming Spots on the West Coast of Niue
Niue’s coast hides many a nook and cranny in its dramatic coastline. Most of the island’s top coastal attractions, such as caves, chasms and swimming pools, can be found on the west coast accessed by sea tracks. Sea tracks range from 30 seconds to 30 minutes walk one-way, with many sea tracks having rough rocky terrain and/or slippery surfaces so appropriate footwear is needed. With that, let’s go through the best sea tracks on the west coast of Niue.
Tip #1: When looking for sea track signs from the road, look out for signs saying “Hala Tahi [track name]”, which is Niuean for “Sea Track”.
Tip #2: Be mindful of the tide times for swimming and reef walking. Check out What You Need to Know About Tide Times in Niue for more information.
For tracks on the east side of the island, see the 8 Best Sea Tracks on the East Coast of Niue.
1. Talava Arches Sea Track
Best tide: Low tide for reef walking and snorkelling, any tide for sightseeing.
Location: Signposted at the back of the grassy parking area in Hikutavake village, northwest coast of Niue.
Starting with the northernmost west coast sea track, Talava Arches is incidentally one of the must-do sea tracks on the island. The 30-minute one-way track from Hikutavake village takes you on a rough rocky trail through the forest. Toward the end of the trail, you’ll have a few limestone caves to scramble through using the ropes in place to keep you on the trail. Then, you’ll emerge at a cave opening with a view of the iconic Talava Arches. At low tide, it’s possible to walk across the reef and under the arch, while the channel cut into the reef is ideal for snorkelling.
(c) Niue Tourism
2. Matapa Chasm Sea Track
Best tide: Any!
Location: Signposted at the back of the grassy parking area in Hikutavake village, northwest coast of Niue.
Next to the Talava Arches Sea Track, the Matapa Chasm Sea Track is too accessible not to check out; just a seven-minute one-way walk through the forest! The main event is a towering chasm with a sheltered cove ideal for swimming at any tide. Take your snorkelling gear and reef shoes for this one. Check out more great swimming spots listed in the 10 Most Beautiful Swimming Holes in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
3. Hikutavake Sea Track
Best tide: 30 minutes on either side of low tide for snorkelling.
Location: The western side of the grassy parking area in Hikutavake, signposted along the main road, northwest coast of Niue.
The final sea track accessed from Hikutavake village is Hikutavake Sea Track itself! The top of the sea track is a good whale-watching spot. Go down the steps and you’ll find yourself at a picturesque reef where it’s possible to find snorkelling pools best accessed 30 minutes before or after low tide. Be careful about coral cuts on the way in and out of the pools. Don’t attempt to swim in the pools if there are waves coming over the reef. Otherwise, there is some excellent shallow snorkelling further down the reef just south of the large pools.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
4. Limu Pools Sea Track
Best tide: Half to full incoming tide for swimming.
Best tide for young children: Low tide for swimming.
Location: Signposted along the main road, Namukulu, west coast of Niue.
One of the most popular sea tracks on the island, the Limu Pools Sea Track is a top swimming and snorkelling spot. The sea track is officially five minutes one way (but more like one minute) down a well-maintained trail and set of steps. The pools are best for swimming at half to full incoming tide but are suitable at low tide for shallow waters suitable for children – see more like this in the 8 Best Sea Tracks & Places to Swim in Niue for Kids.
There is a shade sail and seating area here, as well as a side track to another pool with a picnic area and swimming through a picturesque archway. Be careful about surges through the archway, especially on an incoming tide.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
5. Palaha Cave Sea Track
Best tide: Low tide for reef walking, any tide for sightseeing.
Location: Signposted on the main road between Makefu and Tuapa, approximately 300 m (330 yards) south of Avaiki Cave, west coast of Niue.
Travel a little further south on Niue’s main ring road past the village of Tuapa and you’ll see signs for the Palaha Cave. A five-minute one-way sea track leads down to a grand limestone cave with many spectacular limestone features to admire. The cave floor is extremely slippery so walk with caution. Try to touch as little of the cave as possible with your hands, as skin contact can damage limestone features that have taken thousands of years to form.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
6. Avaiki Cave Sea Track
Best tide: Low tide.
Location: Signposted on the main road between Makefu and Tuapa, west coast of Niue.
Just a minute’s drive south of Palaha Cave is Avaiki Cave. This historic site is a must-see for its limestone cave and sheltered cave pool ideal for snorkelling. The cave can only be accessed at low tide, where the five-minute one-way sea track takes you through a large cave tunnel down to the reef and Avaiki Cave at the bottom. Be careful on the slippery rocks and be mindful of the juvenile coral growing on the reef. Check out more caves around the island in the 10 Most Stunning Caves in Niue.
© NiuePocketGuide.com
7. Vaila Cave Sea Track
Best tide: Low tide for snorkelling and reef walking, any tide for sightseeing.
Location: Opposite Tusekolo Bush Road, 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Alofi town centre, Alofi North, central west coast of Niue.
Heading down to Alofi North, the Vaila Cave Sea Track is a two-minute one-way track down to a cave cut into the cliff. The cave is storage for vaka (canoes), as well as access to the northern end of the Alofi North Marine Protected Area where you can admire some stunning marine life in the reef at low tide. There are loads more sea tracks in Alofi that we don’t have on this list, so head to the 8 Best Sea Tracks in Alofi to check out those.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
8. Togalupo Sea Track
Not suitable for swimming.
Location: Opposite Yolos Accommodation, approximately 1.5 km (1 mi) north of Alofi town centre, Alofi North, central west coast of Niue.
Just south of Vaila Cave along the main road is a sign for the Togalupo Sea Track. This is another short sea track to one of the smallest coves you’re likely to visit on the island, which we affectionately call the tiniest beach in Niue! You can admire the vaka along the sea track (but don’t touch or move them, as explained in Niuean Etiquette: Niue Customs & Traditions).
(c) niuepocketguide.com
9. Togulu Sea Track (Tamakautoga Beach)
Best tide: Low tide for snorkelling and reef walking.
Location: Signposted off the main coastal road in Tamakautoga (alongside the village green), southwest coast of Niue.
Passing the Alofi sea tracks, you’ll come to the village of Tamakautoga. Behind the village green is the Togulu Sea Track, a 30-second sea track down a set of steps to a small coral beach cove. The reef here is good for reef walks, as well as snorkelling in a pool in the reef. There is also another little cove on the right of the car park that’s a bit harder to find – we’ll leave you to discover that one on your own.
See more stunning beaches like this in the 5 Best Beaches in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.com
10. Avatele Beach Sea Track
Best tide: Low to mid outgoing tide for snorkelling.
Location: Signposted off the main road, Avatele, southeast coast of Niue.
Last but certainly not least, Avatele Beach is on the southwestern coast of Niue. The sea track is better described as a short road than a sea track, located next to the memorial on the coastal side of the road. The beach is suitable for snorkelling at low to mid outgoing tide, but be careful of currents near the boat ramp. Also be mindful of the juvenile coral growing close to the surface, particularly at low tide. The beach is also the location of the Washaway Cafe, which is only open on Sundays – find out more in the 20 Best Restaurants in Niue.
(c) niuepocketguide.comMore About Sea Tracks on the West Coast of Niue
That’s it for our guide to the best sea tracks on the west coast of Niue. For more amazing attractions to discover, take a look at the following guides:
Finally, complete your Niue bucket list with the 101 Things to Do in Niue: The Ultimate List.
