Dive the World’s Largest Lagoon
From beginner divers to excursions for experts, New Caledonia boasts diving spots that are each more magical than the next. Under the water’s surface, coral pinnacles shelter multicoloured fauna that is often accessible even without wearing a tank. With reefs, passes and slopes, and the right equipment, divers can meet face-to-face with the big ocean-dwellers.
Flippers, mask and a snorkel
No need to dive for a long time to enjoy the splendours under the surface. With only a mask, flippers and a snorkel, a swimmer can also meet up with butterflyfish, triggerfish, parrotfish and clownfish, plus many more. The underwater path at Ilot Canard (Duck Island), the depths off the coast of the Amédée Island, the lagoon of Poé, the waters off Hienghène or the Loyalty Islands, or wherever you are, you can snorkel and be amazed.
Magical diving spots
Shipwreck diving
New Caledonia’s barrier reef has ‘surprised’ many navigators throughout the years with a number of ships sinking. Nowadays, those shipwrecks offer the perfect diving spots for locals and international divers alike. At Amedee Lighthouse, the ‘Dieppoise’ is a famous site, as well as the Sun Burnt Country one, near Goeland Islet. If you want to scuba dive around New Caledonia, you will be spoilt for choice between shipwrecks but also mythical spots such as Poindimie and its forests of Gorgonian corals, the underwater caves near Poum or the Crystal clear water of the Isle of Pines!
Freediving
New Caledonia is a paradise for freedivers. The breathtaking clear water of the Caledonian Lagoon guarantees fantastic dive trips out. Moreover, the fact that the lagoon isn’t overcrowded with humans means that its inhabitants are far from being shy with the divers. You will be as happy as a clam!
Discover the seabed
Dive into the heart of a shipwreck
As soon as you have access to traditional diving equipment, the prospects are endless. From the barrier reef to the pits and natural caves, you won’t get tired of diving in New Caledonia. Even more so if you go exploring shipwrecks, habitat for an extremely dense fauna and flora. The Dieppoise at the Amédée Lighthouse, the Humboldt near the Dumbéa channel, or even the Arrogant at Boulari or the Sun Burnt Country towards Goéland Islet… Make your choice!
Island diving
The waters around the Isle of Pines and Lifou are renowned for their exceptional richness, but the islands also offer cave diving where the atmosphere is necessarily different. The gallery of caves around Lifou remains largely unexplored. Don’t venture out alone, and trust your provider. This service is intended primarily for experienced divers and caving enthusiasts.
Night diving
Most providers will offer an exceptional opportunity, diving at night. Renowned for its mysterious atmosphere, night diving is real exploration, open to all. Be careful, thrills are guaranteed! It’s also an opportunity to observe a rare natural phenomenon and fascinating curiosity, fluorescent coral.
Discover Islets and Beaches
With white sand, sunshine and the sea, this is the idealised image that everyone is looking for when setting off for the tropics. In New Caledonia, this postcard becomes a reality, is present everywhere and is a symbol of well-protected nature. This peaceful, romantic image is available everywhere. On the beaches, on the coast and the islets scattered over the surface of the lagoon, relaxation and lounging are the top of the list in the Caledonian archipelago.
City beaches
Although your first contact with New Caledonia is naturally the city of Nouméa, a 21st-century city, you can still find the peace of the Pacific. On a peninsula whose first stones were laid to face the horizon, Nouméa keeps its feet in the water and its inhabitants enjoy its welcoming beaches daily, a place for Sunday rest, a walk after work or a family dip. The beaches that border the hotels and restaurants are only a preview of the other jewels of the territory.
Countless beaches and islets
Infinite sweeping sand
As soon as you leave the capital city and its outskirts, the beaches quickly take on another appearance, wilder and more protected. At the entry to Bourail, the beach at Poé extends over more than 10 km of white sand, bordered by an azure lagoon. You’ll never be overwhelmed by visitors since the seaside has so much space. The island of Ouvéa also promises tranquillity as one of the Loyalty Islands whose 25 km is almost all luxurious beaches themselves.
Coves almost are hidden from view
Those who love small areas hidden from view will also love the small coves and accessible beaches found all over New Caledonia. In the west, the small bays of Tortues (Turtles Bay) and Amoureux (Lovers’ Bay) keep their mysterious atmosphere. In the east, the length of the Forgotten Coast is still accessible by boat. There’s also Lifou, where you can easily find small beaches hidden away from the main roads. Don’t forget the Isle of Pines, where long bays alternate with small coves.
Beaches out to sea
Beaches are everywhere, even in the middle of the lagoon. Off the coast of any town, many islets are accessible to those with a boat. And some of them are so infrequently visited that you’ll feel like Robinson Crusoe, far from the hustle of the city. Still be careful not to set foot on some prohibited islands, which are sanctuaries for endangered plants and animals and given entirely to nature.
SURF!!!
Although surfing isn’t the most common board sport in New Caledonia, it’s still widely enjoyed, especially now that between traditional surfing, shortboarding and longboarding and other options, you won’t have a hard time finding the board/spot right for you!
Find your wave
Hit the waves
Let’s admit it: surfing isn’t as easy as windsurfing or kitesurfing, not because of the technique involved but because of the accessibility of the surfing spots. To surf in New Caledonia, you’ll need to take a boat to reach the barrier reef to reach the waves and navigate the passes and dead-ends. These constraints do indeed require time but save energy for those who are willing. Once you’re in place, you won’t miss a single wave!
Great conditions
New Caledonia is still one of the best destinations for surfing thanks to its location. The swells are particularly nice, generated by depressions that form between Australian Tasmania and the territory of New Zealand. Between May and September, conditions are ideal to create nice waves up to 4.5 m tall with almost perfect wind conditions. In the mid-summer, swells are smaller but still make for great sessions.
The dream spot at Bourail
One of the most reputed spots is at Bourail, off the beach of La Roche Percée, with a panel of surfing waves at the pass. Genaro and Snorky are two right-breaking spots, but you can also surf the three left-breaking spots at Secret, les Ronfleurs and Ile Verte. But other sports are also available nearby, perfect for beginners and a bit calmer.
Surfers who love the lagoon
Surfers who set out from the Roche Percée are also fully aware of the fragility of the site and love to appreciate its wonders. Do like they do and don’t disturb the sea turtles that come in to lay, and if you have the chance to admire one from afar, later you can enjoy watching the babies rush into the sea.
Surf clubs in New Caledonia
- Gouaro Surf Club in Bourail
- Big Banana Surf Club in Bourail
- Nouméa Surf Club
- Association Calédonienne de SUP in Nouméa
Learn more at https://www.newcaledonia.travel/
Photo Banner credit: ©Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media