An intoxicating blend of South Pacific idyll and French sophistication is waiting just a two-and-a-half hour flight from Auckland. New Caledonia is like nowhere else in the Pacific – and as soon as you set foot there, you’ll appreciate the source of its very special charm: Mediterranean meets mellow Melanesia. The capital, Noumea, occupies the southern tip of the main island, Grande Terre, with beautiful bays on both sides. It’s sophisticated yet casual and you won’t find anywhere else on earth quite so similar to the French Riviera. The atmosphere in this little city is pure Gallic, with boutiques, patisseries, cheese shops and restaurants lining quaint streets and squares. Explore the Latin Quarter and the old districts of the Vallee du Tir and Vallee des Colons – and you could be in France.
Just outside the town, on the shores of the world’s largest lagoon, are the stylish resorts of Anse Vata. The lagoon itself is home to a myriad of tropical fish as well as the endangered dugong and rare turtles – a visit to the National Aquarium will give you an insight into this remarkable underwater world. Venture further afield and you’ll find a surprising variety of landscapes on Grande Terre: forests, mountains and wide, grassy plains. And, of course, there’s more to New Caledonia than just one island. The Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines) is a dreamlike paradise on the Tropic of Capricorn and the tranquil, unspoilt Loyalty Islands – Lifou, Maré and Ouvéa – are simply exquisite. If you want to lose yourself in relaxation, these are the places to go.
So, for the ideal New Caledonian experience… give yourself time to explore the chic town of Noumea, time to enjoy the resort life of Anse Vata and round it off with time all to yourself on a magical outer island. Perfection!
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO EXPLORE IN NEW CALEDONIA
Noumea
The capital, Noumea, occupies the southern tip of the main island, Grande Terre, with beautiful bays on both sides. It’s sophisticated yet casual and you won’t find anywhere else on earth quite so similar to the French Riviera. The atmosphere in this little city is pure Gallic, with boutiques, patisseries, cheese shops and restaurants lining quaint streets and squares. Explore the Latin Quarter and the old districts of the Vallee du Tir and Vallee des Colons – and you could be in France. Just outside the town, on the shores of the world’s largest lagoon, are the stylish resorts of Anse Vata. The lagoon itself is home to a myriad of tropical fish as well as the endangered dugong and rare turtles. Venture further afield and you’ll find a surprising variety of landscapes on Grande Terre: forests, mountains and wide, grassy plains.
Ile Des Pins
Tropical island fantasies meet reality on the Ile des Pins, a 20 minute flight from Noumea. Crystal lagoons lap white sand beaches. Both Kanumera and Kuto Bays are well known in the area. Kanumera is great for snorkelling especially around the Sacred Island as the bay is rich with sea life. Kuto Bay is your more idyllic, postcard perfect beach where the water is clear and the sand is a soft as powder. While the beaches are almost irresistible, Ile des Pins also has other nooks and crannies to explore. Like the ever intriguing caves and the 19th century convict settlement at Ouro. The whole island is only 18 kilometres by 14 kilometres so exploring is easy. We recommend you plan a stay of at least three days to get the most out of your holiday.
Loyalty Islands
The Loyalty Islands ensure you can combine quintessential tropical island activities and encounters with the friendly Kanak locals. The three islands that cater for visitors are, Ouvéa, Lifou and Maré. Lifou is the largest, with small coves, limestone caves, grottos and cliffs. Check out Jinek Bay Marine Reserve which has some of the biggest varieties of coral and more than 2000 fish species. Maré is a relatively untouched treasure and has mysterious sunken pools in its rugged interior. Yejele Beach is a highlight and has fantastic swimming and snorkelling. Ouvéa’s 25 kilometre long beach and superb lagoon give it special charm. Ask a friendly guide to take you to Mouli Bridge where you can enjoy magnificent views and swim with rays, turtles and sharks.
