Fresh Water Scuba Cave Diving, New Caledonia
Scuba Diving The Grotto On The Isle Of Pines In The South Pacific
Mar 14, 2009
Cave Diving! The thought conjures images of delving into the dark depths of Cocklebiddy Cave on Australia’s Nullabor Plain or the sink holes of Mt Gambier. For the vast majority of sport divers this prospect is either too dangerous or simply not enjoyable.
However, there is one scuba dive in a fresh water cave dive that is easy and doesn't require any complex training. This is the Grotto de la Troisieme on the Isle of Pines off the southern end of New Caledonia.
'The Grotto' as the local French call it, is a limestone cave filled with fresh water. Many years ago it would have been above the water table, enabling stalactites and stalagmites to form. Then the island sunk, or the water table rose, filling the cave with fresh water.
Diving Procedure For The Grotto, The Isle Of Pines
Off the main road, a dirt track leads to a clearing. This is the point to gear up. It is a strange sensation to climb into a full wetsuit in the middle of a jungle! A small track leads about 50 metres to the cave. The entrance is a huge 30 metre cavern filled with fallen boulders, trees and surrounded by forest. There are the strong rainforest smells of rotting leaves and damp undergrowth.
The walk down into the cavern is a bit tricky, especially carrying diving equipment. A short clamber over boulders, between columns that seem to be holding the roof up, and the cave opens to a small beach.
The water is still and so clear it is difficult to see the water.
The final gearing up is done at this small beach. Then simply walk into the water. A full wetsuit is needed as the water is freezing. From this relatively open area a small tunnel leads off between a couple of limestone columns into a large cavern called The Cathedral.
The most striking feature of The Cathedral is a huge column of limestone from the roof to the floor. Along the walls some smaller tunnels lead off to dead-ends. Turning off all torches, a beam of light streams from another entrance.
This light comes in from a second beach. However, there is no easy access from this beach to the outside world. The exit point is back through The Cathedral and the small tunnel.
Clambering out of the cave back into the jungle is difficult as the rocks become very slippery when covered in water.
Claustrophobia In The Grotto, The Isle Of Pines
For divers with claustrophobia and turned off by the thought of cave diving, could attempt a scuba dive in The Grotto. The maximum depth is about five metres and there is only one short tunnel going in and out. For the majority of the dive the surface is only a few metres away. By shining a torch beam on the surface, air bubbles can be seen dancing on the air pocket.
Stirred Silt In The Grotto, The Isle Of Pines
One of the problems of diving in this cave is the stirred up silt. For this reason the dive is relatively short and is spent near the roof to avoid stirring the bottom. After one group has been through there has to be at least 48 hours until the silt has settled.
A fresh water scuba cave dive is a unique experience, making The Isle of Pines worth a visit. New Caledonia has not only the attraction of good diving, but also the allure of a foreign country and the magnificent French restaurants of Noumea.
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