Mermaid Pools – It is worth the trip!

This is hands down one of my favorite hikes to do in Trinidad. I know I have said that on many occasions, but this is truly one of my top ten favorite spots to relax. Ohh how I wish I was heading there tomorrow! This is a perfect spot for an adventure on a nice hot, sunny day, when the weather is beautiful and you want to go out but you don’t want to join the million and one persons who are heading to Maracas Beach. Instead, maybe an easy hike to Mermaid Pools in Matura should be on the agenda!

Mermaid Pools is nestled in the Matura Forest located in the North East of Trinidad about 1 hour drive from Trincity Mall. These series of emerald green pools are aptly termed Mermaid Pools (NB. I have not seen any mermaids there as yet, however, if they did exist, I am pretty sure they will love to call Mermaid Pools home).

The start of the trail is on Thomas Trace which is off Toco Main Road. The trail is very scenic and you first walk along the road which in some parts is covered by some lovely patches of bamboo (similar to what you see in Bamboo Cathedral in Chaguaramas).  You then turn left into the Matura Forest which is dominated by Mora trees. These tall trees can reach up to 40 m in height and provide the perfect shelter from rain or sun while allowing the light to penetrate through the canopy providing wonderful lighting for budding photographers. Honestly, I could just wander along this path for hours, I love how lush and green and vibrant is, I love how the sun illuminates your path, I love the peace and quiet, it is just so peaceful, I always think to myself if only life could be like this always.

The descent down to the first set of pools is about 20 minutes long and easy enough for even a beginner hiker to do. This is the bigger of the the pools and is my favorite spot to bathe, the water is usually a little cold but absolutely refreshing. And the fishes….there are so many! They don’t bother you thou, they may just photo-bomb your picture but they mean no harm.

I would not lie to you, the last time I went here back in April 2019 with the Hikers United Crew, I wasn’t planning on bathing, I wore my swimsuit but wasn’t fully sold on the idea of getting my hair wet but when I saw the water, I mean, how could I not go in? It should be illegal to not bathe in Mermaid Pools when the water is looking like this. The water is just so inviting…it calls out to you…. 🙂 I swear

We usually also venture further down the trail to another set of pools which is about 10 to 15 minutes away. You can access these pools by either going back onto the main trail or just venturing downriver.

 Mermaid Pools is similar to Turure Water Steps, which I spoke about in an earlier post. When it rains, the water can be muddy and brown instead of its usual emerald green colour, so it is best to visit here, like Turure Water Steps,  when it hasn’t rained for a couple of days and the weather is sunny on the day of the hike. That is when you will enjoy Mermaid Pools the most as the pools will be in all their glory. Also be sure to take a guide if it is your first time hiking to this spot as there some spots where you can go off course.

Much Love

Celly