Milky Way Lagoon

The Milky Way is a small enclosed lagoon in the Rock Islands where limestone from the surrounding cliffs has broken down into a fine white mud on the bottom, and the water above it turns a pale opaque blue-white, which is where the name comes from. Boats stop and people dive for the mud and coat themselves in it. It sits inside the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon World Heritage property.

What you actually see

• The white water - the pale opaque colour from the limestone mud below.
• The mud - the fine white sediment divers bring up from the bottom.
• The enclosed lagoon - the sheltered water between the Rock Islands.
• The World Heritage setting - part of the inscribed southern lagoon.

When to go

November to April is the drier season. Boat trips run through the year and stop here on most Rock Islands itineraries. Rain clouds the water further.

Honest expectations

It is on every tour boat itinerary and can be crowded with several boats at once. The claimed skin benefits of the mud are folklore rather than established. A Rock Islands permit is required.

Nearby

Nikko Bay is northeast, and German Channel is south.