You won’t find this adventure in a travel brochure – Ros Sodyer, the Seychelles’ hidden tidal pool
- Cinti
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
When I started planning our trip to the Seychelles, I spent a considerable amount of time online trying to get a sense of what was worth seeing. Then came the real challenge: narrowing it down to the places we truly didn’t want to miss, and figuring out how to fit it all in—without letting relaxation get lost somewhere between Google Maps and the bucket list. Ros Sodyer, or the Rock Pool, didn’t come up in the first few searches about the Seychelles, but as soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be part of our plans. The funny part? I hadn’t even told Ádi yet when one evening he walked up to me all excited, saying he’d found this place he had to visit—and that he was going to jump in, no matter what. I paused for a second and thought: maybe that’s why women live longer… Jokes aside, this is the story of an adventure that was beautiful, wild, and honestly, one of the biggest adrenaline rushes of my life. Want to know where to find one of the Seychelles’ most epic hidden spots—and what happened when we got there? Let’s go!
Ros Sodyer is a natural saltwater tidal pool on Mahé, carved by the ocean and time into the granite rocks of the island’s wild west coast. At high tide, waves crash in and fill the basin; at low tide, it becomes a hidden “infinity pool” — perfect for a dip, if you’re brave enough to get there. You can also book a private guided tour online, but when we saw that prices started around $100 per person, we decided this was one adventure we’d tackle on our own.
How to get there?
You can reach Anse Takamaka either by car or by local bus. There’s a small parking area near the beach where you can safely leave your vehicle. One important thing to keep in mind: never park under a coconut tree. A falling coconut can easily crack your windshield — and you'll be the one paying the repair bill.
From the parking lot, you’ll pass through a small gate or fence, which is marked with a sign. Don’t worry if it feels like you’re stepping onto private property — this is actually part of the trail. The adventure begins with a grassy field, then veers slightly left into the jungle. The path is mostly shaded and sometimes easy to follow, other times a bit of a jungle detective game. We looked for clues like flattened vegetation, worn roots, and the general direction others had taken. At some junctions, Ádi and I would split up briefly to check where each path might lead. The good news? Even if you take a wrong turn, you’ll likely end up back on the main trail. There are a few scattered markers — a white plank, a palm trunk tied with a colored ribbon, or a symbol painted on a rock — but this isn’t an official, well-marked trail. At one point, we even found red beads scattered along the way, like a tropical Hansel and Gretel moment — but don’t rely on those. A gust of wind or some fallen leaves, and they’re gone. If you want to be sure you won’t get lost, hiring a local guide is always an option.
About the hike
The hike isn’t particularly long or difficult, but there are some scrambling, crawling, and tricky sections, so having the right gear is key. Good hiking shoes that support your ankles and comfortable, sporty clothes won’t just make the trek more enjoyable, they’ll also help prevent injuries like a twisted ankle from a wrong step. We went in early July, and since it had rained the night before, the trail was quite slippery in places. At one point, we had to climb over meter-high boulders, and use a ladder to reach a rocky ledge, and even squeeze between two massive rocks to keep going. It wasn’t impossible, but every step had to be calculated. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it for small children (under around 12), though we did see a family doing it with such a young kid who handled it just fine, so it really depends on your judgement.
Online sources say the round-trip hike is 2.2 km and takes about an hour. Here’s what it looked like for us in reality:
Outbound: 1.6 km (with some detours and searching for the trail)
Return: 1.2 km
Total hiking time (round trip): about 2.5 hours
We set out early in the morning while the island was still waking up — which was magical, but the mosquitoes were also wide awake and ready for action. So yes: mosquito repellent is a must. Forget it, and you’ll end up scratching your way home. 😉
When we arrived, broken pieces of a sign were scattered near the edge of the rocks, next to a rusty metal frame — probably the remains of an old information board. From here, you still can’t see the pool itself; you have to climb down the steep rock face to reach it. Ádi even sent the drone up just to be sure we were on the right track and wouldn’t climb down for nothing. It was reassuring to know we were close. At the bottom, we were greeted by a white symbol painted on the rocks, which at first glance looked like a pentagram, complete with broken mirror shards glued around the edges. We joked that maybe it was used for goat sacrifices, though what it was really for remains a mystery. One thing’s certain: if you spot this, you’re in the right place! 👣✨
About the pool
Before you go, make sure to check the tide chart online! If you're not going with a guide, plan for a bit of extra time in case you get lost, and choose your starting time accordingly. We arrived around 7:30 am, and it seemed the tide was already coming in. We saw massive waves that not only refilled the pool but looked strong enough to suck someone right out into the ocean. That’s the biggest danger here — and the reason I got a solid dose of adrenaline just before jumping in. Only take a dip with serious caution, because one wrong move could have serious consequences. Unfortunately, there have been fatalities here. The waves crashing around the rock pool can be intense, and even strong swimmers aren’t safe. There’s nothing to hold onto, no ropes, and climbing out of the pool (let alone the ocean) isn’t easy. Ádi jumped in first, while the water was still calm and the waves hadn’t reached the pool yet. When it was my turn, a few big ones rolled in, and I started to think I might not get the chance. Then suddenly, the moment came. Ádi just said, “Jump now, if you want to!” Since we hadn’t taken out a life insurance policy with him as the beneficiary, I chose to trust my instincts and him. One (not-so-graceful but absolutely unforgettable) splash later, I was floating in the crystal-clear water of the pool.
It’s one of those memories that stays with you forever.
What to bring with you?
Hiking shoes and comfortable clothing
Mosquito repellent
Sunscreen and a hat
Swimsuit, towel, and optionally water shoes (I found them helpful for climbing down to and out of the rock pool)
Plenty of water and some snacks
Closing thoughts
One of the reasons I love planning our trips myself is the freedom it gives me to experience moments like this. I get to decide when we go, where we go, how long we stay, and how our days unfold. If we’d had more time, I would’ve gladly spent hours just sitting on the rocks, listening to the roar of the ocean, soaking in the wild yet peaceful atmosphere. It was absolutely magical. Some might say it was reckless — not just to hike there, but to actually jump into the pool. Maybe they’re right. But for me, it was worth it. I’m not here to convince anyone to do the same, nor to talk you out of it. This article is simply a personal story — my experience, my impressions, and a few practical tips. If it helps someone decide whether this adventure is for them or not, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.
Thanks for reading!
If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment or send me a message! And if you're dreaming of a similar adventure, my travel consulting services are just what you need.
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