If you are looking for a sailing or yacht vacation in the South Pacific, one of the best options is New Caledonia. Surrounded by the second largest reef in the world, this is a vast area with places to explore for life. The coast of the main island is dotted with pretty anchorages and offshore there are dozens of islands in all directions.
These are the main cruise areas to explore by boat:
Noumea and surroundings
Noumea is the provincial capital of New Caledonia and home to more than two-thirds of the population. It is located on the southwest coast and the main starting point for yachting trips. It is a great area to explore for shorter trips, with many interesting places to visit within easy reach of the port of Noumea.
There are several small islands that offer protected anchorages for day or night stays. They include:
Amadee Island (Ilot Amadee): Although only 400 meters long, the island has a strikingly visible 65 meter lighthouse that provides navigation through one of only three natural breaks on the outer reef of the lagoon (the rest , called Pasaje Boulari is not far) from here). Amadee is only 15 miles (24 kilometers) from Noumea, making it an ideal day trip. During the day it can be quite crowded with visitors (both the Mary D cruise ship and the Amadee Diving Club are there), but it’s fun to walk around the island and take the 247 steps to the top of the lighthouse for a fabulous view.
Signal Island (Ilot Signal) – This is a small, desert island, north of Amadee Island. There is a dock and several moorings on the north side. Snorkeling is excellent on this side and the island itself has a nature trail that is also worth exploring.
Ilot Maitre: The distinguishing feature of this island is the row of bungalows over the water. They are part of L’Escapade Resort, which covers most of the island. There is good snorkeling and anchorage near the bungalows.
Costa on: Noumea to Prony Bay
The southwest of Grande Terre, New Caledonia’s main island, is dotted with small bays, the best of which is Prony Bay at the southern tip. This is a great bay with many great anchorages and shelter in any wind.
Right on the high seas is Ile Ouen. This island is an ideal stopping point between Noumea and the Isle of Pines to the south. The island, like the mainland in this area, shows clear evidence of mining. In fact, one of New Caledonia’s three large nickel mines is located near Prony Bay in Goro. The mine employs over 6,000 people and operates 24 hours a day.
Between Prony Bay and Ile Ouen is the Woodin Canal. As well as offering excellent navigation, this is a favorite spot for observing humpback whales that migrate here between July and September.
Island of pines
This has been called the Jewel of New Caledonia and there is no question that it is perfect for a postcard with beautiful reefs, powdery white sand beaches, and almost impossible turquoise waters. Its name was given by Captain Cook when he first visited here in 1774, from the unique pine trees that are prominently seen throughout the island. It is the most popular tourist destination in New Caledonia outside of Noumea and is increasingly visited by cruise ships.
The island is a good two-day trip (62 miles / 100 kilometers) from Noumea and requires careful navigation around the reefs with a couple of difficult spots. Once there, however, it is simply a matter of touring the island and dropping anchor wherever you want.
The southern and western parts of the island are the most inhabited with several beautiful beaches. There is a five-star Meridian resort in Oro Bay (Baie d’Oro), the most exclusive on the island and the leading resort in New Caledonia for its location and quality.
One of the best anchorages on the island is at Gadji Bay (Baie de Gadji) in the far north. There are a number of small islands that dot the area and the beaches are gorgeous. It is also quite deserted most of the time.
The southern lagoon
The vast expanse of water to the west and south of the Isle of Pines extends to the confines of the lagoon. It is a large area but it is one of the best kept secrets of New Caledonia and even of sailing in the South Pacific. Not many boats come here so it is a completely unspoiled and magical area and you will likely have all the anchorages to yourself.
There are numerous small islands and getting to them is limited only by the time you have and how far you want to travel. In saying that, the distances are not absolutely vast and from Ilot Koko, at the southernmost point, it takes about three days to get back to Noumea.
Some of the highlights of the Southern Lagoon boating area are:
Ilot Koko: a small and remote island at the southern end of the lagoon. East and the Belep Archipelago, north of mainland New Caledonia, are the only homes in the world for the magnificent seabird, the Fou Ra Pieds Rouge (which translates to the “mad bird with red legs”).
Ilot Tere: Do n’t tell anyone about this island! The anchorage to the north of the island is an incredible place with a break on the reef that creates a beautiful white sand beach and crystal clear waters.
The Five Islands – This is a group of five small islands, Ilot Ua, Ilot Uatio, Ilot Uaterembi, Ilot N’ge, and Ilot Gi. All offer safe anchorages and shelter, and even more beautiful beaches and coral reefs.
Ilot Kouare – This is another wonderful island surrounded by reefs and a good night anchorage (on the north side). It is one day’s sailing from Noumea.
Other cruising areas
If you have more time, other boating areas are the east side of Grande Terre (including the Loyalty Islands), the Belep Islands to the north, and even Vanuatu (this is included in the charter area by the yacht charter companies of New Caledonia). But the areas listed above have everything to keep you as busy and enthralled as you could wish for.
