Top Things to do in Noumea
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The 10 Best Things to do in Noumea, Grand Terre
Noumea, on the island of Grand Terre, is the capital of the French territory of New Caledonia. The peaceful port city has a diverse population and colorful European architecture, reflecting its colonial history. Having served as the headquarters of the US Army during WWII, the tropical shrubbery of Ouen Toro Mount is now under the protection of abandoned Naval guns. The Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park offers visitors shaded walks amongst rare birds and views out over the lagoon.
Restaurants in Noumea
1. Amedee Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,712 reviews
Reviewed By pw1682017 - Sydney, Australia
It costs A$170 approximately that includes hotel pick up/drop off, short boat ride to get there, a glass bottom boat ride to view coral and fish, a scruntious feast of a lunch, entertainment, and enough time to swim snorkel, go up to the light house and walk around the island. The water was so clear and beautiful, and I even spotted a turtle! It was a full day and was the best!!
2. Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,915 reviews
The "Aquarium des Lagons" is a public joint venture between the Government of New Caledonia, the Government of the Southern Province, and the City of Noumea. The statutes of the organization define its major goals and objectives : Management of the Aquarium Contribute to the promotion, protection and conservation of New Caledonia's aquatic environments Take part in the promotion of tourism in New Caledonia contribute to the distribution of scientific information relating to aquatic flora and fauna Develop partnership with other French, European or international institutions engaged in similar activities Our mission is to reach these goals and objectives. The Aquarium team, with the range of disciplines called for, is constantly working with this in mind.
Reviewed By kimaI1699BD - Brisbane, Australia
I was pleasantly surprised by the aquarium, it was bigger than expected and a good range of things to view. The turtles are adorable and huge! There is also a few sharks and some really big fish in the main tank. I also wouldn’t like to bump into that sting ray in the ocean!
3. Ilot Maitre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By nztraveldiva
If you want to snorkel in NC, definitely take the Water Taxi to Ilot Maître. Check the tides (we arrived about 2:00pm, halfway between low and high on the incoming tide and it was just deep enough) & I’d recommend taking a picnic to eat. This island is better laid out for day trippers than Ile aux canards, with a designated area of loungers etc that you don’t have to pay for (unlike IaC). Our taxi driver was kind enough to recommend that given the tide, we venture into the water to the right of the jetty where it’s deeper, and follow the reef along. We took his advice and were not disappointed, seeing lots of fish & of course turtles! Fabulous snorkelling. We were happy campers!
4. Le Musee Maritime de Nouvelle-Caledonie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By Kate789Melbourne
Definitely worth a visit - really interesting especially the exhibitions about the expedition of La Perouse and rescuing boat people. Very friendly welcome from receptionist.
5. Amedee Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By gogoagain
We, as a group of eight booked this tour through our ship. Efficient transfer by modern ferry to the island. Sufficient sun lounges and shade available. Snorkel gear can be rented for 10aud each (refundable). Lovely snorkeling, lots of fish and a few turtles. Lunch was a surprise. Buffet, well set up with lots of stations, food was very good and plentiful. Seafood was delicious. Entertainment was very good and payed back. Thourghly enjoyable day.
6. Tjibaou Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,084 reviews
On the narrow Tina Peninsula of approximately 8 hectares, given by the Noumea Council, the Tjibaou Cultural Centre was inaugurated in May 1998 and was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. The Centre is a place of identical assertiveness and cultural gathering and creation. Through its original configuration, the Tjibaou Cultural Centre offers a lot of cultural activities as you can find there an art centre, exhibitions spaces, show areas and a specialized multimedia library. Depending on its activity, the audience changes quantitatively and sociologically. Transferred to New-Caledonia in 2012, newly named ADCK-CCT aims to search, collect and promote the kanak cultural heritage, to initiate and develop kanak artistic creation, to provoke the emergence of common cultural practices and references, to be a pole of regional and international exchanges The Tjibaou Cultural Centre recorded 98 405 visitors in 2011. It employs 65 persons.
Reviewed By PBWill
At first look from a distance on land I thought it must be a radar installation. Then at sea on a boat it looked like a space station. To my surprise I was told it was the only Grand Project built by France outside the Metropole and is the only such Project ever built in a French Overseas Territory. It is the TJIBAOU Cultural Centre that is emblematic of the exotic sights which abound across New Caledonia, and was designed and built by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano. The cultural centre is built in the image of a Melanesian (Kanaky) village (but on a larger scale) which French colonizers who came here over 200 years ago would have seen on a landscape of breath taking beauty. Inside the Cultural Centre are paintings, sculptures, furnishings, and ornaments of sacred importance to the Melanesian / Kanaky people who believe their civilization originates from the moon in the form of a zemorphic being - half man half lizard. The TJIBAOU Cultural Centre could be considered a peace offering made by the French State to the indeginous Melanesians / Kanaky people following a near civil war situation between the French island settlers and the indeginous population about 20 years ago. Today Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia is a favourite stop over port for round the world travelling yachtsmen to relax on Noumea's beautiful beaches and to provision their boats with French wines, cheeses, designer fragrances. and food items stocked in local stores who fly their products in from France (a 26 hour flight away). The national airline of the French Territory of New Caledonia is AIR CALEDONIE INTERNATIONAL which flies in partnership with Air France - a member of the Sky Team Airline Alliance - offering easy access to the island territory from major cities across the world.
7. Ile aux Canards island
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,372 reviews
Reviewed By 706AndrewP - Melbourne, Australia
Less than 10 minutes offshore from Noumea by water taxi, this tiny island is well worth a visit.You can walk around it in little more than 5 minutes. Half of the centre is roped off to protect the bird life. The rest is a sculpture garden between low, meandering coral walls around a large traditional hut where you order food and drink and reserve snorkeling equipment. Arranged along the beach are a couple of dozen pairs of beach lounges each under an umbrella - $43 AUD for the day hire, and absolutely worth it. (They do regularly come around and check that you have paid for them, so don't try to sneak one!) As other reviewers have pointed out, it is not a place to get away from people. There is a couple of metres between each pair of lounges, and most are taken on a nice day, so don't expect a beach to yourself. It is 10 minutes from the city after all. Head north on Grande Terre or go to the Loyalty Islands (I recommend Lifou) if you want km of soft white sand beaches all to yourself. On Canards, you should be snorkeling anyway. The 'trail' along 5 buoys isn't particularly informative, but you don'y need it. Masses of fish (over 40 species identified, plus all those I couldn't), a harmless sea snake, but no turtles that day. The best and most convenient snorkeling, especially for kids, that I've ever done, Great Barrier Reef included. Sandals/reef shoes essential - it's a coral island, so no soft sand. Not particularly expensive, unless you're a huge eater - lounge and gear rental, plus food for 3 cost less than $100 AUD for the whole day - great value. The water taxi picked us up and dropped us off from our beachside hotel, and despite nominating a time to return, we stayed on for an extra 3 hours as we were enjoying it so much, with no issues. Just ask Jack the extremely helpful 'beach boy' to contact the taxi for you to reschedule. It's a great family day out a stone's throw from Noumea. Do pay attention to the volunteer guides, who are continually having to remind people to not stand on the coral!
8. Anse Vata Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,027 reviews
Reviewed By MaaritPG
nice beach where you can also rent surf boards, kite surf, or paddle or take a taxi boat to the nearby islands
9. Plage de la Baie des Citrons
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 704 reviews
Reviewed By Culture565047
Lovely spot to walk along the promenDe and watch the world go by. Great restaurants and cafes here. There is a pontoon in the mayor the bay the youngsters were enjoying and fun to watch them.
10. Parc zoologique et forestier
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 534 reviews
Reviewed By JyeGeary
My partner and I did the segway tour with a few other people and it was amazing and fun. Nobody on the tour had been on a segway before and we all got some time practicing on them under instruction before the tour started. The guides were super helpful and fun and very informative. This was a great time and I would defiantly do it again if I'm ever in noumea again. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
