10 Most Beautiful Swimming Holes in Niue

1. Limu Pools

Best tide: Half to full incoming tide.
Best tide for young children: Low tide.
Location: Signposted along the main road, Namukulu, west coast of Niue.

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. Plus, check out the side track that goes down a ladder to another pool. The archway here 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.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

2. Matapa Chasm

Best tide: Any!
Location: Signposted at the back of the grassy parking area in Hikutavake village, northwest coast of Niue.

This majestic chasm contains a sheltered swimming spot with nice deep water. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling at Matapa Chasm 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. This can result in a cooler swim and can distort your vision for snorkelling.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

3. Avatele Beach

Best tide: Low to mid outgoing tide.
Location: Signposted off the main road, Avatele, southeast coast of Niue.

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.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

4. Avaiki Cave

Best tide: Low tide.
Location: Signposted on the main road between Makefu and Tuapa, west coast of Niue.

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.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

5. Hio Beach

Best tide: 30 minutes to 1 hour on either side of low tide.
Location: Sea track next to the Hio Cafe, signposted along the main road, Tuapa, west coast of Niue.

This 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 1 hour before or after low tide. See more low tide attractions in the 10 Places to Go in Niue at Low Tide.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

6. Hikutavake Pools

Best tide: 30 minutes on either side of low tide.
Location: The western side of the grassy parking area in Hikutavake, signposted along the main road, northwest coast of Niue.

Some amazing reef snorkelling pools can be found at the bottom of the Hikutavake Sea Track best accessed around 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. Otherwise, there is some excellent shallow snorkelling further down the reef (pictured) just south of the large pools.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

7. Namukulu Ramp

Best tide: Low tide.
Location: Road access at the southern end of Namukulu village, northwest coast of Niue.

Accessed by a concrete access road, the Namukulu Boat Ramp leads to a nice little swimming spot just 50 m (160 ft) 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.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

8. Utuko Reef

Best tide: Low-to-mid incoming tide.
Location: Sea track next to Crazy Uga Cafe, Alofi town centre, central west coast of Niue.

If you’re looking for a swimming spot in the heart of Alofi, check out the Utuko Reef. A short sea track next to the Crazy Uga Cafe 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 access points nearby in the 7 Best Sea Tracks in Alofi.

© NiuePocketGuide.com

9. Amanau Sea Track

Best tide: Low to mid tide.
Location: Signposted in Alofi South, approximately 100 m (110 yards) west of Pacific Way Bar, west coast of Niue.

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”.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

10. Anapala Chasm

Best tide: Any!
Location: Signposted toward the coast from Hakupu village. Cross the dirt road on the green to a narrow access road which continues to the coast for about 1 km (0.6 mi). Anapala Chasm is on the right-hand side with a small parking area. If you reach the coast, you’ve gone a tad too far.

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?

(c) niuepocketguide.com