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A natural turquoise pool carved into ancient coral, hidden within the tranquil waters of Baie d’Oro on the northeastern coast of Île des Pins. Sheltered by a ring of coral rock and framed by towering Araucaria pines, this shallow lagoon forms a living aquarium where parrotfish, clownfish and small reef sharks glide through impossibly clear water.

Reached by a short forest walk from the Le Méridien parking area, the pool sits beside the bay’s postcard-perfect shoreline, where outrigger canoes drift past pandanus trees and white sand meets impossibly turquoise shallows. The site holds deep significance for the Kunié people, whose ancestral lands surround Oro Bay, and access respects customary land rights through a modest entrance contribution.

Snorkelers linger for hours here, mesmerized by the interplay of light through the coral ceiling, while the wider bay invites quiet swims, canoe excursions and barefoot exploration of one of the South Pacific’s most unspoiled natural sanctuaries.