The CJ way Guide to Haast Blue Pools

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 AT A GLANCE 

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Beautiful, crystal clear blue pools that are bloody cold

Mt Aspiring National Park

15-20 minutes

Easy

Free

Best time to visit: early morning, clear and sunny day

Jandals/sandals suitable

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 WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY? 

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• Coordinates for the start of the walk:​ -44.164203, 169.276709

• Park in the designated car park for the Blue Pools (on the highway) and walk approximately 15 minutes along the well-defined track. The track has two swing bridges (we photographed the second).

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 best time to visit? 

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• Early morning on a clear and sunny day!! Coming for sunrise or sunset isn’t as beneficial as you really want to be able to see the colour of the water.

• N.B - we arrived around 7:15am and there were seven cars already parked there (although do note, there is a longer hike that starts from Blue Pools). We had the place to ourselves largely until 8:30am or so. When we left (around 9am), there were 14 cars parked up and a steady stream of people starting the walk. We think 8am-ish is the absolute bee’s knees as it's quiet and sunny (so the water colour looks amazing). (P.S when we drove past the Blue Pools the day beforehand – around lunch time, the car park was completely full and there was a further 42 cars on the side of the road!!).  

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 cj travel tips 

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• There is no toilet at the Blue Pools so please make sure you go before visiting. (If coming from the North the closest toilet is at Cameron Flat Campsite [approx. 1km away] and if coming from the South the closest toilet is at Makarora [approx. 6km away]).

• Try and time your visit for a clear and sunny day.

• After rain the Blue Pools can turn grey and murky. If the gravel/dirt gets stuck, it takes a second rain to return the water to its original (and beautiful) colour. Bear this (and the forecast) in mind if you have the luxury of choosing when to visit. 

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 cj photography tips 

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• Make sure to arrive nice and early so you have time to play around with spots/angles without the crowds. In the early morning the light is nice and soft (making the photo a little warmer and the shadows less harsh).

• As a rough guide, the sun first hits the Blue Pools approximately 1.5 hours after sunrise.

• the Don't forget to bring your polarising filter to cut out the glare, and if you prefer smooth water, use an ND filter too.

• If you have a GoPro or underwater camera here, swimming makes for some epic filming/photos.

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 what we found useful to pack 

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​In addition to the usuals (camera gear, suitable clothing, water and food, first aid, etc. we found the following items useful for Blue Pools:

• Insect repellent. Seriously this spot is up there with Milford Sound foreshore and Hokitika Gorge.

• Towel and togs. And a willingness to brave the icy cold water.

• N.B - no drones here!