Trip to Noumea, New Caledonia
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General Information
Nouméa is the capital city of New Caledonia, in French: Nouvelle-Calédonie. The city is located on a peninsula in the mountainous southern part of the island of Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia. The island's area is 16,372 sq. km, its length is about 400 km, and at its widest point, its width reaches 64 km. The island is surrounded by a coral reef 800 kilometers long, which constitutes the largest lagoon in the world.
The islands of New Caledonia are located about 1,200 km east of Australia and about 1,500 km north of New Zealand, with the country closest to them being Vanuatu. This island, like many islands in the world, was discovered by the legendary explorer James Cook in 1774, and he also gave it its name: "New Caledonia" (which later became the name of the entire island chain in the country) because of the similarity he saw between the northeastern shores of the island and the shores of Scotland, whose historical name was Caledonia. New Caledonia was transferred to French control in 1863. From 1864 it served as a penal colony for about forty years. Today, New Caledonia is one of the four overseas territories of France, which in 1999 received a special political status: a "Sui Generis" French Collectivity (Collectivité sui generis française) in which the country has extensive autonomy and self-government.
In 2018, a referendum was held regarding the independence of New Caledonia, in which 56% of the voters voted against gaining independence.
The city of Noumea as seen from the sea from the direction of "Duck Island":
Language
The official language on the island is, of course, French, but the culture and customs are a mixture of South Pacific islanders such as Melanesians and Polynesians with European, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and other influences. The original inhabitants of the island, before the arrival of Europeans, who are Melanesian, are called "Kanak" and they constitute almost 40 percent of the total population in the country.
Climate in New Caledonia
The climate in New Caledonia is tropical with two main seasons: a dry season from April to November when temperatures during the day are 17-27 degrees Celsius, and a hot and rainy season from December to March when the temperature reaches up to 32 degrees Celsius during the day. This is also the main cyclone season in the South Pacific region. Noumea has more sunny days than most Pacific islands.
Recommended Hotels in Noumea
Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences - A 4-star apartment hotel featuring apartments in many sizes ranging from studio apartments for couples to 3-bedroom apartments suitable for six adults. Some apartments have an ocean view. The hotel is located in the touristy Anse Vata bay on the beach and has a swimming pool, gym, and spa. The hotel has a restaurant and bar. Free parking. Internet available for an additional fee.
Le Méridien Nouméa Resort & Spa – A 5-star hotel at the southern end of Anse Vata bay. The hotel has a pool, spa, gym, and tennis court. All rooms are air-conditioned with a balcony with views of the gardens or the ocean. The hotel has a restaurant and bar. Free internet and parking.
Hôtel Le Lagon – A 3-star suite hotel located 100 meters from Anse Vata beach. The hotel has studio apartments for couples and one-bedroom apartments with a living room suitable for 4 adults. The hotel has 2 swimming pools, a spa, tennis court, and restaurant. Free internet. Parking available for a fee.
Flights and Sea Port
At a distance of 50 km from the city center is the La Tontouta International Airport from which there are direct flights to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and several islands in the South Pacific (such as: Fiji, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia). In the city itself is a small field used mainly for domestic flights. Additionally, in the city center is a large and protected port called: Port Mosselle Harbour which also has a pier for cruise ships near the ferry pier.
The port of Noumea city:
Destinations in Central Noumea and its surroundings
The city's visitor center is located adjacent to the port. Across the street is a large supermarket where you can find everything (not just food). Take into account that prices in New Caledonia are expensive! Within about a ten-minute walk south from the city center is the city's large market, Moselle market – a colorful and vibrant market located near the yacht harbor of Noumea.
The indoor market is active every day (except Mondays) from five in the morning until 12 noon and it is built of five hexagonal-shaped buildings adjacent to each other where they sell mainly food: fruits, vegetables, fish but also flowers, clothes, and souvenirs. In addition, local artists arrive at the market selling their handicrafts and paintings.
Noumea's central square, located within a few minutes' walk from the cruise and ferry port, is called "Coconut Palm Square" (Place Des Cocotiers) and it is adjacent to the Noumea City Hall. In the center of the lush square is a handsome fountain, a pavilion at its entrance, and adjacent to it are the main shopping streets of the city center. In Noumea, there is a small tourist train called: the "Tchou Tchou" Train which travels between the central tourist sites in the city.
Cultural Center
One of the main tourist sites in Noumea that is not related to the sea, islands, and beaches is: Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre - in French: Centre culturel Tjibaou – a large and impressive cultural center that teaches about the lifestyle and culture of the local Melanesian natives called: Kanak. In the center, nestled in vegetation and surrounded by sea on three sides, there is a museum, an art center, a performance hall, and all the buildings in it are built in a semi-circle in the characteristic building style of the Kanak people. Guided tours and performances of the natives' characteristic music and dances are held on-site. The center is located on a peninsula called Tina Peninsula at a distance of about 8 km, a quarter-hour drive northeast from the Noumea port and the historical city center. New Caledonia also has several museums, including a maritime museum and a military museum.
Beaches in Noumea
Noumea has two main long and popular beaches:
"Lemon Bay" Beach (Plage de la Baie des Citrons)
A long beach with shallow, quiet, and clear water, wonderful for swimming and particularly suitable for families. In the deeper waters, there are rafts to which you can swim. This is an excellent beach for snorkeling and learning to dive. The beach has rescue services. Across the street are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and hotels. Located about a ten-minute drive from central Noumea.
Anse Vata Beach (Plage De L’Anse Vata)
Located at the southernmost part of the island, about a ten-minute walk (two minutes drive) from Lemon Bay beach. This is a long and sandy beach located between two giant rocks. This beach is stormier and exposed to winds and is very popular among surfers.
Adjacent to the beach is a long promenade named Roger-Laroque promenade along which are plenty of hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, and also the Aquarium of New Caledonia (Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie) considered one of the most popular attractions in the city. The aquarium underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2007 and houses endemic (unique) marine animals to the area.
Attractive Islands in the Noumea Area
Within a few minutes' boat ride are two small islands:
Île aux Canards - Duck Island
The meaning of its name is: "Duck Island". From Anse Vata beach there is a water-taxi reaching the island in a very short 2-minute trip. The island has organized bathing beaches with umbrellas and shade structures and has a cafe-restaurant. Ideal for swimming and vacationing enthusiasts. In addition, it has organized walking trails: a lush botanical trail and an art trail along which are hundreds of sculptures and works by different artists. In addition, there is an "underwater trail" 400 meters long marked with yellow buoys near the shore, along which it is recommended to snorkel among a variety of colorful fish and vibrant corals.
Îlot Maître - Master Island
"Master Island" is located about 7.5 km from central Noumea or 4.5 km from Anse Vata beach behind "Duck Island". The island is located in the center of a marine reserve teeming with fish. The island has sandy beaches with soft white sand and is popular among diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. The island is also popular among kitesurfers who like to reach it by surfing. The island can be reached by ferry from central Noumea or by water-taxi from Anse Vata beach. In the center of the island is a luxury hotel called: Escapade where some of its bungalows are on the water with an impressive view of the sunset. The hotel offers various types of water sports and has a pool, restaurant, and bar.
Within a longer boat ride from Noumea, there are several other recommended islands that it is recommended to sail to:
Île Larégnère - Turtle Island
Known as "Turtle Island" thanks to the many turtles living in the reef adjacent to it.
Located about 13 km southwest of Noumea, about 40 minutes sailing by motorboat. The island has wonderful sandy beaches and crystal clear water. It is an ideal destination for snorkeling and diving.
In addition to the many giant sea turtles, one can see colorful fish (130 different types!) including small (and harmless) sharks and beautiful corals. On the island there is no restaurant or hotel and except for several benches and shade structures, there is no man-made structure: only lush vegetation and plenty of birds. It is recommended to circle the island on a leisurely walking trip and be impressed by the view and nature.
Video about a boat trip to Turtle Island:
Îlot Amédée - Lighthouse Island
Located about 24 km southeast of central Noumea, before the Boulari channel which is the main entrance for ships to Noumea port. The island is famous for its lighthouse which is 56 meters high and is considered one of the tallest in the world. 247 stairs lead to the top of the lighthouse and to an amazing view of the lagoon. The lighthouse was built in Paris and given to New Caledonia as a gift by Napoleon III and was inaugurated on November 11, 1865, on his wife's birthday. In clear weather, the lighthouse light can be spotted up to a distance of 32 nautical miles (almost 60 km). The island is located in an area declared a marine reserve and is known for its rich underwater world. It can be reached by a 45-minute sailing from Noumea port.
Guided boat trips
A recommended company with attractive prices organizing boat tours, snorkeling and vacationing in the islands near Noumea is DAL OCEAN. Many of their tours are coordinated with the cruise ship schedules arriving at the city. Their catamaran sailing to Turtle Island (Larégnère) is particularly recommended: NOUMEA SAILING CATAMARAN TURTLE TOUR in which you sail in a large catamaran for about 40 minutes to the magical island.
On the way, dolphins can be observed jumping around the ship. The ship anchors near the island and you can jump from it and swim towards the island among plenty of fish and turtles, or you can sail in a small boat to the island. The company provides basic snorkeling equipment. After several hours of island recreation, you sail back on a leisurely and longer sailing without an engine using sails only.
A boat and turtle swimming tour to another island, "Signal Island", can be purchased on the reliable Viator website: Water Taxi Signal Island Turtle Tour for cruisers