Issue 62 - July 2020

Under the Jungle, In Awe of the Planet

a scuba diver is diving under the cave in the jungle

If people have true callings, I have found mine – and it’s a strange one. Cave diving, perceived by many as the world’s most dangerous sport, is my solace, passion, and profession. I didn’t even know the sport existed until my mid-twenties, and when I discovered cave diving, I thought most cave divers had a death wish. The cave divers I met, usually gruff, intimidating men, did nothing to dispel that opinion. Now, thirteen years into my career, I think these tough dudes had it all wrong.

Cave diving shouldn’t be about ego, adrenaline, or proving one’s worth. It’s about control, curiosity, beauty, discovery, and most importantly, about awe – that sense of selfless wonder when you realise you are such a small, tiny being on a big, complex planet, in a vast universe that you know so little about.

How did I become a cave explorer? It’s a simple question, but as I trace my journey, so many factors aligned that there’s no simple answer. Instead, I would say I have always been a cave explorer, I just didn’t know it. Growing up in Southern California, I watched Star Trek with my parents, hiked in the hills, and played in the mud. It was a beautiful childhood, but I never quite fit. Captain Picard’s statement – to boldly go where no one has gone before – resonated with me, and when adults asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would often say I wanted to be an explorer. I was scoffed at, told there was nothing left to explore and discouraged by nearly every adult except for my parents – who knew me better than to try to dissuade me from anything and who understood the value of a dream. And so I wandered, seeking adventure.

I moved to San Francisco, where I graduated with a degree in biochemistry, then to New York City, where I worked in restaurants, and finally, I flew to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to work on a coral reef research project. During this time, I was invited on a guided cavern dive – away for certified divers to experience diving underground without cave training. I expected to hate it.

a scuba diver in the cave — _{Dagobah Marcelin Silt Cloud}

I remembered the stories of those tough divers, the dangers they faced, the difficulty of diving in the caves. I thought I would be terrified. Yet, when I dropped below the surface and pointed my tiny light into the darkness in front of me, I found peace. Tunnels lined with white stalactites, like Roman columns, stretched into the distance, forking and twisting off into the unknown. This was intriguing – overwhelming in the complexity and length of the tunnels.

Ever since that moment, I wanted to be a cave diver. I wanted to explore caves, own a cave diving shop, and teach cave diving. There was a whole second level of the planet that almost no one knew about! I had found my final frontier and I was never turning back.

In 2008, I met Vincent Rouquette-Cathala, my best friend, exploration buddy, and now business partner at Under the Jungle. Vince has the same disproportionate drive and adventurous spirit that I do. We started slowly, exploring caves near my house, but soon had projects across the Yucatan Peninsula. Together we have been the first people to dive, explore and chart over 20 new cave systems, and we have surveyed over 80 kilometres of previously undiscovered cave passageways.

Every exploration project has been a privilege, but one stands out. Like all cave discoveries, it’s often all about who you know. In this case, a local captain, Jorge Castro, took a liking to us and brought us to a secret fishing spot at the edge of a mangrove swamp. From the boat, we dropped down into murky, stinking water, and entered a cave, unlike anything I had ever seen.

Thin, meters-long stalactites dripped from the ceiling, and when I swam towards them, they twisted and turned in the gentle subterranean current. As I exhaled, my bubbles hit the ceiling and flakes of soft, spongy goo slid off, burying themselves in the floor, which jiggled like jello. Nothing in this cave was solid. Was there rock under all the goo, or was the whole place unstable sediment that would soon collapse on us? As I floated there in thought, enough flakes rained down on us that the visibility dropped to zero. We had never seen anything like this, but instead of fear, I felt amazement. Vince made oohing and ah-hing sounds behind me and we continued, calm in the face of the unknown.

Surfacing from the dive, the reality of what we had done hit me. What was this place? What were those strange, soft growths covering the cave walls? Were they toxic, dangerous? It turns out they are not, and initial analysis of the growths suggests they are a form of archea, an ancient microbe that thrives in extreme environments. I named the cave Pandora, after the planet from Avatar filled with amazing creatures, and after the mythological character who released chaos. Both are fitting.

Vince and I have been working in the area for over five years now, and along with our team, we have discovered 7 new cave entrances in the region, pointing to an extensive, highly developed network of caves where no one thought such a system existed. I expect this to be our legacy and our life’s work.

The dives into Pandora highlight the most important aspect of cave diving – that once you get the physical control and techniques down, extreme cave exploration (and all cave diving) is about mind control. You must achieve a bit of zen, consciously controlling your breathing and thoughts. It simply doesn’t cross my mind to be frightened. The anxiety of a big dive comes before or after, out of the water when I can afford to analyze what happened. Underwater, I experience a complete dissolution of ego and pure mental clarity. It’s flow, in every sense of the word. It’s a wide-eyed wonder.

You have to be cold – not scared, and certainly not excited. Excitement can and does kill cave divers, and at the beginning of my cave exploration career, it almost killed me. In 2010, I stumbled upon an abandoned cave exploration site that already had about 150 meters of the mapped passageway. With a little research, Vince and I learned the cave was called “Cenote X” and that the previous explorer was uninterested in continuing the project.

On our first dive into Cenote X, we followed a guideline placed during the original exploration. As we swam, our exhaled bubbles knocked loose rocks from the ceiling, which came raining down on us like gravel. The passage appeared to terminate around 24 meters of depth, but just as we were about to turn around, I noticed a small hole in the wall at the end of the chamber. I could just fit through the hole if I squeezed sideways.

As I grabbed the rock to pull myself through the hole, my fingers sank into the walls; the rock was soft, more like hard clay than limestone. This was an indication that the cave was unstable, and a seasoned explorer would have turned around, but I was filled with adrenaline and enthusiasm. I had to see what was on the other side.

I popped through the hole into a 60-meter-long chamber, with bright white limestone and sparkling blue water. My fingers were tingling with excitement as I swam to the far end, found another small hole where that cave continued and turned back to get Vince who was waiting on the far side of the first hole.

And there it was: a huge rock, the size of a Volkswagen beetle, had fallen directly behind me as I swam through the chamber. My bubbles must have knocked the unstable ceiling down, and if the boulder had fallen 10 meters farther down the tunnel, it would have blocked the hole I entered through. I would have been trapped alone in the cave, waiting to run out of the air with no way to escape.

I had let my excitement to discover something new push me into the diving in a highly unstable cave, and I almost paid with my life. Since then, I have faced a variety of situations, including gear failures, broken guidelines, and complete visibility loss, but never again have I gone knowingly into an unstable cave.

When I tell people I teach cave diving for a living, they often want to hear stories of how I have rescued my students from dangerous situations and near-certain death. If that were happening, I would be a terrible cave diving instructor! My role as my student’s mentor is to provide a safe learning environment and to teach them how to keep themselves alive.

From a safety standpoint, I must be sure that my students have the knowledge and skills to independently exit the cave if something happens to me, even on a training dive. I am constantly evaluating their decisions and judgement.

During my courses, we practice emergency protocols first in easy scenarios and then slowly add layers of complexity and go further into the cave as divers gain confidence. I allow my divers to make mistakes and experience the consequences, but stop situations before they ever become remotely dangerous. On training dives, my students have dealt with real situations that sound frightening, like broken tank valves, zero visibility and regulator failures. In every case so far, they have done so calmly and without my assistance.

Thankfully, there are often early signs that a student is losing focus – a diver who stares at the floor instead of looking around, a student who starts to obsessively consult his dive computer, or someone who starts finning sloppily. I try to notice signs of stress, end the dive, and safely exit the cave before dangerous mistakes are made. Out of the water, we analyze the dive and assess when things started to go sideways.

I sometimes feel more like a psychologist than a diving instructor. The most important question I ask my students after a dive, is “how did you feel?” It’s a challenge to coach my students to observe their mental state, learn to control their thoughts and exit the cave calmly if something goes wrong. It’s the most single important thing I can teach my divers. I must have confidence that a person will react rationally to problems before I certify him to independently cave dive. To do otherwise would be negligent and could lead to death.

The second aspect of leadership that I did not consider when I started publishing articles and giving talks about cave diving, was that being a small, female cave explorer could be inspiring. I didn’t consider that this inspiration was needed. For me, females have always been an integral part of cave diving – most of the original cave projects and explorations in my region, dating back to the 1980s, involving both men and women. Strangely, this is not common knowledge.

Perhaps some women felt it easier to enjoy cave diving for its own sake, and let the men take the credit and glory because it didn’t matter. There are obvious exceptions to this, such as Jill Heinerth, but it’s a shame that women have not been recognized for their integral contributions to the sport. I want the credit for the things I have achieved and I am willing to fight for it. I have slowly changed my opinion from not caring about gender to thinking that strong female leaders are important. I feel that we lose many potentially gifted cave divers when the sport is perceived as male-dominated. It is not and never has been.

Now, I delight in showing up to dive conventions in heels, full make up, and a girly dress, and giving a detailed, technical talk about my extreme cave exploration projects. I can see the cognitive disconnect happening. And really, why shouldn’t someone be able to have long hair and a gentle manner, be bubbly and happy and goofy, and still be an exceptional cave explorer, an excellent cave instructor, and a successful business owner? These are not mutually exclusive.

Flooded caves are amazing – not scary or dangerous if you learn to be meticulous and maintain mental control. Like mountaineering, rock climbing, and other extreme sports, you have to train and there is a physical and mental challenge. It’s rewarding to improve your skills and accomplish difficult projects. However, what makes cave diving sweetest is not the personal accomplishment, but the moment you lose yourself in the endeavour and find that sense of awe that is so lacking in modern life. It never gets old or less impressive, and this planet never ceases to amaze.

Natalie Gibb is public speaker, author, photographer, videographer, and a member of the Woman Diver’s Hall of Fame. Natalie is co-owner of Under the Jungle, a cave diver training centre in Mexico, and a TDI Full Cave Instructor.

To read more stories like Natalie’s click here.

Issue 62 - July 2020

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – July 2020 – Issue 62

Feature Destination: Why New Caledonia?

If you haven’t quite made up your mind to take a trip to New Caledonia, here are 20 good reasons to convince you! Read more…

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The Year of the Turtle found in this Book of Environmental Wisdom

Turtles Planet is a work of philosophical fact and fiction by ordinated Daoist Munk Rou. This beautifully written work of thought deeply explored the bond between humans and animals — the wisdom they teach us, the wounds they can heal, and the role we play in their destruction. See more…

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Schmidt Ocean Institute to boost public understanding of the ocean through expanded partnership with NOAA

Schmidt Ocean Institute announced that it will formalize and expand its longstanding partnership with NOAA’s Office of Exploration and Research to explore, characterize and map the deep ocean and boost public understanding of the global ocean. Read more…

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Flying into the Blow with SnotBot and Ocean Alliance

In 2015, a team from Ocean Alliance travelled to Puerto Pirámides, Argentina on an expedition to collect exhaled breath concentrate from whales, photogrammetry, and whale identification. Read more…

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Waterkeeper Groups Achieve Settlement with EPA on Drinking Water Safety

Waterkeeper Alliance, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, and California Coastkeeper Alliance today filed a settlement agreement in federal court with the U.S. Read more…

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Feature Destination: New Caledonia’s Coral Reefs Offer a Glimmer of Hope for the Future

In the South Pacific Ocean, at the edge of the Coral Sea, lay some of the most remarkable and well-protected coral reefs in the world. The reefs of New Caledonia are simply stunning. Read more…

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Survival in shrimp improves three-fold with novel algae-enriched diet

In a recent study published by the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), Pacific White Shrimp fed a fish-free diet containing Veramaris’ natural marine algal oil and Menon’s MrFeed^® had significantly higher survival rates for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis syndrome (AHPNS) compared to diets containing fishmeal and fish oil. Read more…

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Under the Jungle, In Awe of the Planet

If people have true callings, I have found mine – and it’s a strange one. Cave diving, perceived by many as the world’s most dangerous sport, is my solace, passion, and profession. Read more…

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Global Tortoiseshell Report Finds Illegal Domestic Trade Still Active in 40 Countries Despite International Ban

The first global survey of the illegal tortoiseshell trade in decades reveals that 40 countries around the world have active domestic markets, most of which are illegal. Read more…

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Go Green: 9 Energy Saving Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

Nowadays, homeowners are becoming more and more aware of a more eco-friendly way to maintain their homes. After all, we cannot deny that the adverse effect of climate change is becoming apparent. Read more…

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Feature Destination: Discover Blue New Caledonia

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. Read more…

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Solar electric boats redefining the way we travel

In a time where old standards are being questioned, the opportunity to forge new paths is opening up. There is a shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle, and the demand for meaningful and long-lasting products is rising. Read more…

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The Mimic Octopus and the Wonderpus – Jack’s July Underwater Photograph

There are two recently discovered species of rare but stunning octopus that are found only in the waters around Bali and Sulawesi, of the Indo-Malay peninsula. Read more…

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First completely remote at-sea science expedition in Australia’s coral sea marine park Discovery new coral and possible species never before seen

Scientists working remotely with Schmidt Ocean Institute, one of the only at-sea science expeditions to continue operating during the global pandemic, have completed the first look at deep waters in the Coral Sea never before seen. Read more…

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A Promise for Sustainable Fishing at Six Senses Laamu

Laamaseelu Masveriya means ‘Exemplary Fishermen’ in the local language of Dhivehi, and that is exactly who came together earlier this month to sign a reef fishery code of conduct, the first of its kind in the Maldives. Read more…

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Photo credit: ©Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

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To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.

SEVENSEAS FEATURED TRAVEL

Below are a few of our favorite tour centers and operators. Be sure to mention SEVENSEAS Media for special rates and discounts when making your inquiry.

Susan Bruce Travel

We’ve been travelling, advising clients, and planning trips across the globe for over 30 years. We help you explore amazing places and people — from mountain sanctuaries in Bhutan to the jungles of Peru. Learn more…

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Oceanic Society Expeditions.

A selection of expeditions and volunteer vacations for our travellers that will further the mission to conserve marine wildlife and habitats. More info.

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Alelí Tours Puerto Rico

Alelí Tours is a small-scale ecotourism business located in La Parguera, southwest Puerto Rico. More info.

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Isla Mar Research Expeditions – Field Courses in Puerto Rico

A field course coordination company in Puerto Rico that specializes in organizing and hosting island ecology (marine/terrestrial) themed courses. More info.

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Ever dream of swimming with humpback whales? Now you can.

If you are interested in swimming with or photographing humpback whales Karim guides… More info.

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Bangkok Photo Tours

We visit traditional sights but focus on markets, street art, and local food. All camera forward and environmentally sensitive. More info.

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Pangaea Ocean Sailing Expedition

Panex is opening up sailing expeditions for the guest crew. This is a unique opportunity to go sailing, cross an ocean, and be a part of something bigger. More info.

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SEE Turtles

…protect endangered turtles throughout Latin America and the world by supporting community-based conservation efforts through ecotourism, education, and Billion Baby Turtles. More info.

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Scuba Junkie Dive Centers

A personal favorite from SEVENSEAS Media. Go to Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai, Sibuan, Mantabuan, Mataking, and more. More info.

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Marine Megafauna Foundation

Our mission is to save threatened marine life using pioneering research, education, and sustainable conservation solutions, working towards a world where marine life and humans thrive together. Read more… More info.

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Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Imagine roaming some of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems. Gorgeous vistas, affordable travel and amazing memories; immersing yourself in the sounds of nature. More info.

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Pete Oxford Expeditions

We offer unique, small-group expeditions for travellers and photographers to remote and pristine destinations and cultures around the world. More info.

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Alnitak Conservation in Action on Volunteer Expeditions

Alnitak is a grassroots marine science organization dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity in our oceans. From May through to October, we run expeditions to survey the rich waters in the Balearic Sea, inviting any ocean enthusiasts to join us on board. Our expeditions take place in the stunning Cabrera National Park and the Menorca Biosphere Reserve. Read more…

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Feature Destination

Travel Destination: Discover Blue New Caledonia

Dive the World’s Largest Lagoon

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.

a beach view from the lighthouse — _{Wonderful view from the Amédée lighthouse, in New Caledonia}

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/

Feature Destination

Feature Destination: Why New Caledonia?

If you haven’t quite made up your mind to take a trip to New Caledonia, here are 20 good reasons to convince you!

1. Some 60% (15,000 km²) of New Caledonia’s lagoon is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the marine environment is one of the most beautiful in the world, sheltering hundreds of underwater wildlife species and a breathtaking diversity of corals and plant species.

2. New Caledonia is a melting-pot of ethnic communities, with a richly diverse cultural heritage: the Kanak people, the earliest inhabitants who settled here over 3,000 years ago, the European inhabitants (known as Caldoches or, in the case of recent arrivals, Z’oreilles), Asian communities (from Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam…) and peoples from other islands (Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna, Reunion Island). A unique and vibrant ethnic mix!

3. New Caledonia is a biodiversity hotspot with a level of endemism, per square kilometre, seen almost nowhere else on earth. 76% of the country’s plant and wildlife species are only found in New Caledonia.

4. The sublime white sand beaches of Lifou, Ouvéa and the Isle of Pines easily rival the world’s most famous beaches.

5. The inspiring Tjibaou cultural centre was designed by world-famous architect Renzo Piano as a showcase for Kanak art, culture and tradition.

6. The view from the top of the lighthouse, inaugurated in 1865 on Phare Amédée, an idyllic islet off the coast of Noumea, is absolutely stunning.

7. The Déva Estate at Bourail is the site of New Caledonia’s largest surviving area of dry forest, home to an outstanding diversity of plant and wildlife species.

8. The sun shines all year round in New Caledonia, which enjoys a wonderfully balmy climate with an average annual temperature of 25°C.

9. Parc des Grandes Fougères nature reserve in the region of La Foa is a haven for rare species of tree fern, some of which were first seen on Earth nearly 350 million years ago.

10. Oro, Kanumera, Upi: Three bays of ethereal beauty… Once you’ve set eyes on them, you’ll see why the Isle of Pines is known as “the island closest to paradise”. A sobriquet shares with Ouvéa!

11. A powered paraglider flight at sunrise, floating high over the barrier reef off the Bourail and Moindou coastline, is an exhilarating once-in-a-lifetime experience.

12. New Caledonia is home to Amborella trichopoda, the most ancient and sole surviving sister species of all other living flowering plants. It first appeared about 200 million years ago and is endemic to New Caledonia.

13.The rock outcrops known as the Hienghène “Hen” and the Bourail “Bonhomme” (Old Man) form, together with the Jokin cliffs in Lifou, some of New Caledonia’s most spectacular rock formations.

14. Locally farmed New Caledonian blue prawns are heavenly and highly sought after by top chefs from Europe to Japan.

15. Celebrated aerial photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand brought the Heart in Voh to the eyes of the world. Tomorrow, you could be the one photographing this unique mangrove formation from on high!

16. New Caledonia boasts a wealth of unusual wildlife species, from emblematic Kagus to Rusa deer and from flying foxes to Imperial Pigeons.

17. On the East Coast, the road from Hienghène to magnificent Tao Waterfall via the Ouaïème River ferry crossing offers stunning photo opportunities every 30 seconds!

18. New Caledonian vanilla is celebrated worldwide for its exquisite taste. Its subtle savour enhances many local specialities and you can use it in your favourite baking recipes back home. Yummy!

19. Parc de la rivière Bleue nature reserve, stretching over 9,000 ha, boasts spectacular scenery including a drowned forest, a thousand-year-old kauri tree and a crystal clear river. Take a deep breath of fresh air!

20. No visitor can resist the sparkling bays lining the seafront in New Caledonia’s capital Noumea. Anse Vata, Baie des Citrons and Promenade Pierre Vernier are all delightful, whether you fancy a leisurely stroll, a refreshing dip or a bit of retail therapy.

For more information visit: https://www.newcaledonia.travel/en/why-new-caledonia