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A Local’s Guide to Mettams Pool: History, Culture and Underwater Wonders
Often described as Perth’s very own natural aquarium, Mettams Pool is one of those places that feels both wild and familiar. Tucked between North Beach and Trigg, throughout history and still today, this protected stretch of reef has long been a place of gathering, exploration and connection.
Its story is layered, stretching from ancient Indigenous knowledge to community-led conservation, all the way to the thriving underwater world we can experience just metres from shore today.
Indigenous connections to sea and Country
For tens of thousands of years, this coastline has been cared for by the Whadjuk Noongar people. The ocean was not simply a backdrop to daily life, it was (and remains) a source of food, culture, knowledge and spirituality.
Rock platforms, reefs and tidal pools along this stretch of coast were traditionally used for fishing and gathering shellfish, with deep understanding of tides, seasons and marine behaviour passed down through generations. While Mettams Pool wasn’t “built” in the way we think of today, its natural reef formations have always provided shelter for marine life and opportunities for sustainable harvesting.
The calm waters we enjoy now are part of a much older relationship between people and place – one grounded in respect, rhythm and care.
A living coastal legacy
Originally known as Lennard’s Pool, Mettams Pool was later renamed in honour of local World War I veteran Frank Mettam, whose determination helped create the sheltered lagoon we know and love.
From the 1930s through to the 1960s, Mettam painstakingly chipped away at the limestone reef using a crowbar (and occasionally explosives!) transforming a rugged stretch of coastline into a safer swimming area for the local community. What began as one man’s vision became an intergenerational effort, with his children and grandchildren joining in to expand the pool and shape this enduring coastal icon.
While the hands-on approach of earlier decades probably wouldn’t align with today’s marine conservation standards, Frank Mettam’s legacy lives on in the resilient reef and thriving underwater sanctuary that continues to be enjoyed by generations of locals.
Where the reef comes alive
Often described as a natural aquarium, Mettams Pool offers snorkelling for all experience levels. The sheltered lagoon is ideal for beginners, with calm conditions and marine life visible just metres from shore – from red-lip morwong, banded sweep and wrasse to schools of buffalo bream, sea mullet, tarwhine and blowfish.
Look closely among the rocks and you’ll spot anemones, cushion stars, abalone and octopus expertly camouflaged against the limestone.
For more experienced snorkellers, the adventure continues beyond the drop-off. The outer reef reveals hidden caves, swim-throughs and open water where sand whiting and Australian herring glide past in shimmering groups. Conditions here can be more energetic, with stronger surge, making it a place best explored with care and experience.
A Coastline Shared Across Generations
Across generations, Mettams Pool continues to surprise – offering both calm and adventure within one remarkable stretch of coastline. It is a place where ancient stories meet everyday moments, where first snorkels sit alongside seasoned explorations beyond the reef. Shaped by nature, community and quiet determination, the pool remains a living reminder of our connection to sea and Country.
Long after the masks are packed away and the tide turns, Mettams Pool endures – a coastal sanctuary that invites us to slow down, look closer and appreciate what has always been here, just beneath the surface.
Read the full article in our latest Coastal Market Magazine to see some more stunning underwater images.
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