The Snapper Pot is a tiny but breathtaking blue rockpool hiding in plain sight under a well known lookout on the Central Coast.
It’s only big enough to float and for this reason I never planned on writing a whole article about it, however, when I put up some Instagram stories enough people asked where it was that I decided to give it a place on the blog.
So here it is, a small but perfectly formed rockpool that offers the ultimate secluded plunge for one.
The walk to The Snapper Pot
The stats
Distance: 500m return
Elevation gain: 25m
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Trailhead: Snapper Point Car Park
Safety info: tide & swell
The ocean can be very dangerous in this area so please read the required conditions carefully before visiting. You want to visit an hour or so either side of low tide and only when the swell is marked as slight.
The Snapper Pot is right on the edge of the rock platform and therefore exposed to the waves.
Although we didn’t experience any waves in the pool on our visit during a slight swell, you should observe the pool for a time before entering and be prepared not to swim if the waves are not in your favour. Note that rogue waves are a possibility at any rockpool.
You can see the 5 day tide and swell forecast here.
The trail
The walk begins at the Snapper Point Car Park (more details on parking at the end of the post). You’ll walk briefly along the gravel path, accessed directly from the parking area.
The path to the rock shelf
After 135m you will come to a trig point. You can see the pool from this point, but there’s a cliff face between you and it. To get to the Snapper Pot, you’ll need to find the more gradual route down.
There is no set track, but it is an easy and gradual walk downhill when you know roughly where to go.
Continue heading east (left) from the trig and roughly 10m from the trig you will see some wooden posts.
This is a good point to begin making your way down to the lower rock platform where the rockpool is located.
The way down is tiered and the rock is generally quite grippy when dry. Look for the more gradual slopes which are easier than some of the steeper sections.
As you head down, begin to curve right (west). Roughly 50m from the wooden posts there is a little chasm you need to step over. It’s one step and you’re across.
From here head right and roughly 40m away you will come to what we nicknamed ‘mushroom rock’, you can see it in the photo below. The Snapper Pot is another 10m further on, right beside the edge of the rock platform.
Swimming at The Snapper Pot
The Snapper Pot is tiny but it’s absolutely beautiful, with crystal clear blue water and a gorgeous tear drop shape.
The water is very deep, far above head height, but you can see all the way down to the pebbly bottom. It’s on the edge of the rock platform with a stunning ocean panorama.
We visited very late in the afternoon but it kept its striking blue colour despite the low light. If it were bigger it would be one of my new favourite rockpools.
I do prefer pools big enough to swim, but I know lots of people like these smaller pools you can have a refreshing float in, and for that it’s perfect.
Though small the space you do have is clear of rocks and weed so it’s a really relaxing place for a dip.
In terms of entry to the water it’s quite easy as you can just slide off the side and straight into deep water. Exiting is another matter though.
The sides of the rockpool are steep and there are no rock shelves to give you easy access out of the water. As I had Joe with me he could offer me a hand and then I just pushed my foot against the side to climb out.
I would have found it much tricker if I was on my own and would probably have had to launch out like a seal! With help I found it fine, but if you’re like me and not very adept as these things then make sure someone is around to lend a hand!
Keep them wild
Please remember to take all rubbish with you and keep these places wild and pristine - as with anywhere in the outdoors. It’s important to leave them exactly as you found them so they will remain beautiful for generations to come.
Litter tends to breed litter, so if you do spot any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the area, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.
Please remember to wear reef safe sunscreen to protect the marine life inside the pool.
Parking for The Snapper Pot
The closest car park to the The Snapper Pot is located at Snapper Point in the Munmorah State Conservation Area on the Central Coast, you can see it on Google maps here. The car park is small, but even on weekends, we’ve never had trouble getting a space. Sections of the final kilometre to the car park are gravel but suitable for any car.
There is a locked gate you need to drive through to reach the car park which opens at 5.30am every day, closing at 6pm outside of daylight savings (May - Sept) and 9pm otherwise (Oct - Apr).
There is also a National Parks entry fee to the area which is $8 a day at time of writing (free if you have an annual parks pass).
The car park is just under an hour’s drive from Newcastle and 1.5 hours from Sydney.
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