Amazing Natural Places to Swim in Niue
Nature is your playground on this large raised coral atoll in the South Pacific Ocean and with that, there are some incredibly beautiful swimming holes to discover. Whether it’s inside a cave, at the bottom of a chasm, cut into a reef or simply sheltered in a bay, Niue’s swimming spots are super inviting with their crystal clear waters with a touch of turquoise. Check out some of the most beautiful swimming holes in Niue in the list below.
Make sure you hit these places at the right tide, which is explained in What You Need to Know About the Tide Times in Niue.
1. Limu Pools
Limu Pools tops our list for being one of the most stunning and incidentally popular swimming holes in Niue. Dip or cliff jump into these clear turquoise waters with clusters of coral and fish to admire through your snorkel mask. The area is well-maintained with a shade sail and seating area. Check out the side track that goes down a ladder to another pool. The archway makes a good swim-through, but be careful of surges. Visiting the Limu Pools is best at mid to full incoming tide, but the shallow pools at low tide are usually more suitable for swimming with young children. See more good swimming spots for kids in 8 Best Sea Tracks & Places to Swim in Niue for Kids.
Location: Limu Pools Sea Track, Namukulu
(c) niuepocketguide.com2. Matapa Chasm
This majestic chasm contains a sheltered swimming spot with nice deep water. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling here at any tide where the water is lit up to its fullest at midday. There is an outpour of freshwater into the chasm, which is most noticeable at low tide and can distort your vision for snorkelling.
Location: Matapa Chasm Sea Track, Hikutavake
(c) Jonathan Irish - Niue Tourism3. Avatele Beach
This coral beach in Avatele provides amazing snorkelling between low to mid outgoing tide. Snorkel among tropical fish and coral, but be careful of coral growing close to the surface at low tide. Plus, be aware of strong rips near the boat ramp. Check out the Washaway Cafe if you’re there on a Sunday – see The 10 Best Restaurants in Niue for more details.
Location: Avatele Sea Track, Avatele
(c) niuepocketguide.com4. Avaiki Cave
The cave pool here makes an amazing swimming spot, but Avaiki Cave can only be accessed at low tide. Bathe where only the nobles were allowed to bathe and enjoy the area that was said to be the first canoe landing spot of the Polynesians in Niue. Learn more about its historical significance in the 10 Fascinating Historical Sites in Niue.
Location: Avaiki Cave Sea Track, Makefu
(c) niuepocketguide.com5. Hio Beach
This sweeping coral beach is not only a fantastic photo opportunity, but the swimming here is also pretty awesome. To the right of the beach is a nice little pool for swimming and snorkelling. This is best accessed 30 minutes to an hour before or after low tide. See more low tide attractions in the 10 Places to Go in Niue at Low Tide.
Location: Hio Sea Track, Tuapa (next to the Hio Cafe & Bar)
(c) niuepocketguide.com6. Hikutavake Pools
Some amazing reef snorkelling pools can be found at the bottom of the Hikutavake Sea Track best accessed at low tide. We only recommend getting in if the waves are not breaking over the reef. Be careful not to get coral cuts and grazes when getting in and out of the pools.
Location: Hikutavake Sea Track, Hikutavake
(c) niuepocketguide.com7. Namukulu Sea Track
Accessed by a concrete access road, the Namukulu Sea Track leads to a nice little swimming spot just 50m (160ft) from the car park. It’s best to swim at low tide, but don’t swim if there are large swells coming in from the west.
Location: Namukulu Sea Track, Namukulu
(c) niuepocketguide.com8. Utuko Reef
If you’re looking for a swimming spot in the heart of Alofi, check out the Utuko Reef. A short sea track opposite the Police Station leads down to a sandy cove inclining down to a reef providing a good reef walk at low tide. There are easily accessible pools for swimming to the left of the cove, which is possible to swim at mid to high tide depending on what the swell is doing. Check out more sea tracks in Alofi here.
Location: Utuko Reef Sea Track, Alofi (opposite the Police Station)
(c) Niue Tourism9. Amanau Sea Track
Another cool little spot in Alofi, the Amanau Sea Track leads down a ladder to a reef. Here, you’ll also find an overhang with a sheltered cave pool offering some fun snorkelling, even if there isn’t much room to “swim”.
Location: Amanau Sea Track, Alofi South (opposite the fish factory)
(c) niuepocketguide.com10. Anapala Chasm
For those daring enough, there is a cold freshwater pool at the bottom of the deep dark Anapala Chasm. Admittedly, this is not the most relaxing swimming spot in Niue, mainly because swimming here seems to give people the heebie-jeebies! Maybe all the more reason to try it yourself?
Location: Anapala Chasm Sea Track, Hakupu
(c) niuepocketguide.comMore About Swimming Holes in Niue
That’s it for the best swimming holes in Niue. Now head to the 101 Things to Do in Niue: The Ultimate List featuring more amazing experiences.
