The most beautiful natural sites to discover New Caledonia

If you leave the Ouémo peninsula on your right and the Magenta bay a little further north. At the junction, not far from the former University of the Pacific and the airfield, you will be able to admire the small strip of fine sand bordered by superb columnar pines. There are tables and benches for picnics. A playground is also available for children. It is the ideal place to start windsurfing from the beach when you are a beginner. Beware of swimmers and webbed hikers though!

It takes about 7 km round trip (about 3 hours) of an easy and pleasant level. The itinerary alternates between sand and coral rocks and is not very well indicated, but remains accessible to all. We discover the beaches of the hotel, Shini and Pédé, which is the most beautiful of all. The latter is also accessible by road: coming from Tadine, park before Cape Wabao and cross the white barrier freely. It is an ideal place for snorkeling, with superb coral reefs.

The trail follows the left bank of the creek into the ever-growing wilderness to reach the river, its small waterfalls and waterholes. The rainforest, the many birds and the low elevation trail make this a popular walk for families. At the end, you can take a dip in shallow pools. It takes about forty minutes to walk the trail (although we recommend taking your time to admire the scenery) before arriving at the waterfall from the parking lot. A very relaxing and quiet place.

A trip by Melanesian canoe in Upi Bay is a must to see the wonderful site and its numerous coral "potatoes" in the shape of a giant mushroom. Dolphins and turtles are often seen there. The departure is early in the morning to the bay of St. Joseph, where you embark before sailing 1h30 in a dream setting (without engine when the wind allows it). Then, you can walk 30 to 45 min under the shade of the trees until the natural swimming pool of Oro, where we spend the rest of the day before the return shuttle. Idyllic.

At the mouth of the Blue River, three hot springs offer 43 degrees water! Only one of the sources is on earth and suitable for swimming.

A few wild beaches will allow you to cool off after a day of walking or driving, including the beach of Tangadiou and the beach of the Péninsule peninsula accessible by overland roads. Very poorly attended, you will be able to observe the fishermen at dusk. Picnic areas at the seaside are also located on the tip of Pandop. 

The great curiosity of Prony Bay is of course the needle, which has nothing to do with a coral formation, but which results from a freshwater resurgence. This gigantic chimney takes root at a depth of 38 meters and rises 2 meters below the surface of the water. Imagine a mineral cathedral coming from the depths. Calcification is the result of the action between fresh water, coming from lakes and rivers, and salt water from the lagoon. The fresh water infiltrates, heats up and rises... Needles rise from an arm of the cathedral, forming several bell towers at the top, below which a hole, from which fresh water gushes out, has been dug. This water, mixing with salt water, gives the impression of a turbid mixture with two compounds of different density. The Aiguille was officially discovered in 1873 when the cargo ship La Somme, passing through Prony to load wood for the prison, ran aground there. The ship was stranded there for about 50 hours, and it was an aviso that relieved her of her heavy cargo, thus putting an end to her stranding.

Today,it is a diving spot: the heat of the cavity is not to the displeasure of the fishes that come here in great numbers. The needle never stops growing, making its own limestone gangue. Corals and fish are present. A real kingdom for bivalves, the site is also a spawning ground for loaches in November. You might as well say that it is a wonder for all those who can come and dive here...

The Anubet cave, dug in the heart of the forest in the south of Ouvéa, can be visited in the company of Dominique Tanghmelen, who guides visitors. It is necessary to bring walking shoes, but also a swimsuit, with mask and snorkel. This is a must-see visit, as much for the beauty of the place as for Dominique's explanations. He will explain with passion and pedagogy all you need to know about the fauna and flora of the area. At the end, a tasting of freshly picked and cut coconut is held. Go for it without hesitation.

Count 40 minutes of walking through a lunar landscape to the top. The panorama opens up gradually to reveal a 360° view of the plain and its numerous stations, the lagoon and the surrounding mountains. Lush vegetation. The Tia plateau is a must for hiking fans or those who just want to enjoy the landscape. You can count on about two hours to go to the plateau and back and discover the magnificent panorama of the surroundings. The view from the top is magnificent.

A beautiful stroll through the tribe of Pothé to the waterfall of Ny. On the agenda: walking, swimming and picnicking. The setting is magical. The excursion is possible every day depending on the availability of the guide, it is better to call him to book.

This route goes along the seaside until the mouth of the small river. It leads the walkers on an old path opened and fitted out by the convicts at the beginning of the century. Remains of the convicts' work and the life of these men who exploited the wood are still visible. We wind under the shade of the big trees of the forest, crossing the mining maquis and its bushy plants before skirting the mangroves. You may be able to observe the largest tree-dwelling pigeon in the world: a unique species, endemic to New Caledonia, called notou.

This beautiful hike makes a slightly physical but breathtaking loop. You will cross real oasis of primary forest and enjoy beautiful panoramas on the lagoon and the valley. The trail follows a part of the "time road" closed to traffic. The return journey is done by the old "time road", a beautiful route in cornice which allows to admire magnificent turquoise water holes and numerous waterfalls on the other side of the valley.

South of the Rocher à la Voile, you approach Anse Vata (stone in the local language), closed off to the south by Point Magnin. Formerly marshy, it was called the Bay of Ducks, the cove is now one of the most popular tourist spots in New Caledonia. Don't worry, the number of visitors in high season is equivalent to that of the Côte d'Azur in winter... Exposed to the prevailing winds, it is also a very famous windsurfing site. The nautical structures abound in the area, as do the hotels and restaurants.

The Bay of Lemons, or "BD" as it is known locally, is sheltered from the wind and is lined with numerous snack bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels. Some say that a boat full of lemons once ran aground here, releasing its cargo, hence the name. Others say that the bay was once lined with lemon trees. With its sea of oil, its trees and its fine sand, it is the family beach par excellence. The Cap du Rocher à la Voile in the south was the place where Nouméans would gather for a last farewell when the sailing ships left for France.

For a walk at the end of the world, stop at Nénon, one of the most beautiful beaches of Grande Terre. Located 12 km north of the Poum crossroads, at the bottom of a small pass from which you can overlook the Bouana bay, a track leads to it on the left. This site from elsewhere is absolutely magnificent, scattered with shells and desert. Its clear sand stretches for kilometers, between the houses of the tribes of the region. A picnic area has been set up on the spot, but beware the area is sometimes invaded by horseflies, the "shark flies", as they say.

Originally from Reunion Island, a settler who arrived in Moindou to plant sugar cane took with him a bag of royal palm seeds. A flood spread them in the valley and 1,200 trees were born. The Ryawa Valley in Moindou is home to the largest concentration of royal palms in New Caledonia. More than 500 of these trees, up to 50 m high, stand there. To learn about the place, plan a guided tour of about 2h30!

The bays in the north of the island are famous for their protected seabed, rich in fauna and flora. Inhabitants of Lifou, fleeing the anger of their tribe's chief, settled there in the middle of the 18th century. The first missionaries arrived in 1840, followed by sandalwood workers. The Gadji tribe is composed of only a dozen people. Compared to the rest of the island, more frequented by tourists, the place is extremely peaceful.

Bring your fins, mask and snorkel! An ideal place for snorkeling. Below, the coral bottom is superb. The lucky ones might come across white tip sharks, turtles or rays... A bit difficult to find due to a lack of signposts, Pédé Beach is located between the natural aquarium and the Nengone Village hotel. Access is through a bend in the road, 50 m from the road. Difficult to find, but this white sand beach and its blue-green lagoon are enchanting and worth exploring.

The road leading to Cengeïté is one of the most beautiful of the island with its creeks only frequented by fishermen. On the same road, after 10 km, there is a small fork in the road on the right. Take it to follow the coast and cross the Cengeïté tribe, grouped near the beaches and around its temple. Leaving Wabao, you find the main road again. One kilometer before arriving at Eni, on the left, you will see on the road the trace of a parking lot. Take the path through the tall grass to bathe at the Eni waterhole.

Located between Tadine and Penelo, this site is considered to be one of the largest drowned cavities in the world, with a 40-meter-deep shaft with a 30-meter diameter that leads to a lake of more than 350,000 m³ of fresh water. To find it, a guidebook can be useful but here is a procedure to follow for those who want to explore on their own: take the RP3 road that crosses the island between La Roche and Tadine; take the RM4 that leads north towards the villages of Ténane and Roh; the site is located two kilometers after the crossroad.

Only 10 kilometers from La Roche, you have to take the road north to Tenané. There is little signage other than a small sign before the site and guardrails on the road. One kilometer after the fork in the road, the chasm is hidden in the bushes on the right. Approximately 40 meters deep, one can venture to the edge of the circular cliff, in the middle of a tropical forest, and peek into the void, looking for hidden caves that surround a freshwater lake.

The Warrior's Leap is located east of La Roche, at the Wakone tribe. It is a 5-meter wide crack in the cliff that overlooks the sea by almost 30 meters. Legend has it that a warrior from the Si Hnathege clan, named Hnor, leapt across the hole with the Si Gurework at his heels. Carried away by their momentum, his pursuers fell into the sea. Be careful with children, even if the site is secured by railings. A very nice panorama to admire (and photograph) without moderation!

An original and exotic excursion at 5 minutes from Noumea in a marine reserve and a treasure island. Under a pretty "faré" in the center of the islet or directly at your deckchair, you can enjoy a snack (nice salads with shrimps, children's menu...). A good idea to have lunch with your feet in the water. Underwater path for snorkeling. Tapas evening every first Thursday of the month. Permanent open-air exhibition: corals and sculptures (more than 100 pieces). Charming paths lead you there.

The climb is very steep and not to be taken lightly, so it is better to be a seasoned and experienced walker. It will take about six hours to complete the 10 kilometers round trip and the 1,050 meters of elevation gain. After three kilometers, you will see three different paths: take the one on the right. Once you reach the top, the view of the surrounding area is spectacular. Be sure to take precautions, including checking the weather beforehand (make sure it hasn't rained). Also take plenty of water and food with you.