De Palm's off-road safari to the Natural Pool

About this experience

De Palm Tours started in 1960 with three minibuses and launched its off-road fleet in 1991, according to the company. Today the group has around 400 staff, and it shows in the logistics: pickup at most major hotels, a line of yellow Land Rovers, and a bus to take you home at the end. The guide drives. Your job is to hold on.

The route is short on stops and long on driving. About 30 minutes at the Natural Pool, 20 at the Natural Bridge site, 15 at a De Palm stop and 15 at the California Lighthouse. The bridge itself collapsed in September 2005; what you see is the spot where it stood and the smaller Baby Bridge next to it. De Palm's own FAQ says the off-road section to and from the pool is about one mile each way and "bumpy", which guests confirm with some enthusiasm.

The price is $108 with pool admission, water, snorkel gear and local taxes covered, so there is nothing to add at check-in. Two catches. The tour is for hotel guests only: cruise passengers can't book it, and AGW picks up at the port instead. And 30 minutes at Conchi is not long once you've climbed down the steps. If the pool is your main reason, ABC's tour gives you an hour.

• Pickup at most major hotels, nothing to organise
• Pool admission, snorkel gear, water and local taxes included
• Natural Pool, the Natural Bridge site and the California Lighthouse in one trip
• Caravan of Land Rovers run by the island's largest tour company
• Children from age 6

How the day runs

1. Morning or afternoonHotel pickup

   Select your hotel when you book. If yours isn't listed, pick a nearby one or add it in the special requirements and call the operator.

2. About 1 mile each wayThe off-road run

   Paved roads to the park, then the rough track down to the pool in the Land Rover caravan.

3. 30 minThe Natural Pool

   Snorkel gear provided. Swimming depends on the sea: rangers close the pool when waves come over the rim.

4. 20 minNatural Bridge site

   The remains of the big arch that fell in 2005 and the Baby Bridge that still stands.

5. 15 + 15 minDe Palm stop and the lighthouse

   A short break at a De Palm stop and the view from the California Lighthouse on the north-west tip.

6. Last legBus back to your hotel

   The listing says the return is by bus, not in the jeep.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Bring cash. Most stops only take cash, and some charge to use the restroom.
• Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and closed-toe shoes that grip on rock, as De Palm's own FAQ advises.
• Leave the hat at the hotel or tie it down. Sunglasses and reef-friendly sunscreen are enough.
• Hotel not on the pickup list? Choose "select my pickup location later" and call the number on your ticket.

Read next:

• Natural Pool by jeep
• Prices & park fee

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

Natural Pool & Arikok Jeep SafariABC's half-day classic: Ayo rocks, two hours in Arikok and an hour at the pool. Park fee paid at check-in.★ 5.0 · 4.5 hours · from $99AGW Jeep Tour: Natural Pool, Caves & Baby BeachPark fees, snacks and port pickup in the price: two hours in Arikok, the pool and Baby Beach for $89 all-in.★ 4.7 · 4 hours · from $89Outback Safari: Lighthouse, Arikok & ConchiThe pool plus the north coast: Bushiribana ruins, Alto Vista, the bridge site, Andicuri and an animal sanctuary. Park entry paid.★ 4.9 · 4.5 hours · from $122