Grotte de la Troisième

Useful Information

Location:	ile des pins, BP 87, 98832 Île des Pins. RM1 from Wero north, right after the turn off of RM2 to the airport on the left. Narrow gravel road through forest, limited parking. (-22.6105223, 167.4387491)
Open:	no restrictions. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Grotte de la Troisième, ile des pins, BP 87, 98832 Île des Pins.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

We were not convinced if we should list this cave, we cannot really recommend a visit. So we made this papge to place a warning: this cave requires a climbing skills, surefootedness and care. It is absolutely mandatory to visit the cave not alone.

The Grotte de la Troisième, sometimes shortened to Grotte de la 3^eme, also sometimes called Paradise Cave is a rather small, undeveloped cave. As the entrance is actually a collapse doline the cave is entered by climbing down a slope of huge blocks. There is a sort of trail, but nevertheless a little climbing is involved. There are no restrictions and the cave is not gated, entry is free but a donation is expected. The cave is also quite small, it ends at a pool at the foot of the slope. The pool is reached by the daylight, so actually no light is needed to visit this cave. Good shoes on the other side are quite essential.

It seems the freshwater pool is actually the main sight of the cave. But not for swimming, it is advertised for cave diving, by the Isle of Pines diving club, Kunie Scuba Center. This is not possible during wet weather, and as cave diving is quite dangerous it is reserved for experienced divers with good physical capacity.

Only 200 m to the east is another quite similar cave named Grotte de Kö Gnwé Märä or Grotte Ko Gnwëë Meureu. Again, it is necessary to climb down a slope. Some visitors bring a rope for self-belay, which seems a good idea to us. There is actually a fee. The above warning applies for this cave even more.