Also known as Ile des Pines, New Caledonia’s Isle of Pines is well known for its wonderful reefs and magnificent marine life; it is also the site of a fantastic land locked cave where ancient stalactites and stalagmites speak of days in past centuries, when the cave you’re diving in was once filled with fresh air instead of clear, cool water.
The Grotto de la Troisieme - Ile des Pines Dive Sites
Often simply called “The Grotto”, and translated as “The Grotto of the Third”, this little cave offers a fantastic fresh water cave dive that is relatively simple when compared with some of the other cave dives you may have experienced or heard about. Offering maximum depth at only six meters, it is much less dangerous than some other cave diving sites around the world, and as the site itself is simply stunning; it is potentially more rewarding than some of those other sites may be.
A dive here begins with a trip through lush jungle foliage, toward the southern end of the Isle of Pines. After a somewhat jarring trip up a dirt track, you’ll find yourself in a huge clearing, where you’ll be donning a full wetsuit, then entering the mouth of the cavern itself, which is 30 meters wide, filled with boulders and fallen trees, and surrounded by brilliant green vines and other plants. Inside, the limestone cave is cool and dark, and the woody scent of the forest gives way to the unmistakable yet intangible scent of fresh water. After a descent between tall columns and over some large boulders, all the while being careful not to drop any equipment, you’ll find yourself on a small underground beach.
It’s difficult to see where the beach ends and the water begins; the water itself is so clear. Once in the water, you’ll be led through a small tunnel that makes its way toward a large cavern called the Cathedral. Here, a massive column of limestone rises up from the cavern floor to meet the ceiling overhead, and along the walls, smaller tunnels lead to nowhere. When dive lights are extinguished, a small beam of light can be seen penetrating the cathedral from a second entrance. Following this tunnel, you can make your way to a second underground beach, however there is no easy exit to the outside world from this beach; you’ve got to go back through the Cathedral itself and then back to the original beach to exit.
While there is a chance for claustrophobia to become an issue, the distance between the tunnels and air pockets is very short, and as this is a shallow dive, the risks are few. Inside the Cathedral, which is about 150 feet high from floor to ceiling, the distance from one wall to another is 150 feet and visibility remains excellent. Silting can be a problem if you’re not careful to stay away from the bottom, and in cases where silt is stirred up, the water takes about 48 hours to regain its original clarity. As for marine life, you may or may not encounter one of the few crayfish that live here; the main attraction is the incredible geology of the grotto itself, with its natural stone chandeliers and awe-inspiring sculptures carved by millennia of moving water. Simply stunning, and truly magnificent, it is one of those sites you won’t soon forget.
Traveling to New Caledonia to visit The Grotto and other dive sites is not difficult; and diving is possible throughout the year. The resorts are splendid and the cuisine is fantastic, plus there is plenty to see and do between dives. Plan several months in advance for what is certain to be a fantastic and memorable getaway.