What to do and see in New Caledonia, New Caledonia: The Best Nature & Parks

January 22, 2022 Layne Dawes

From outback plains on the west coast and desert landscapes in the south to tropical mountains on the east coast, dazzling beaches in the Loyalty Islands and a buzzing capital city, Noumea, New Caledonia is a striking mix of impressive geography and diverse culture. There’s something to delight all ages and interests, whether it’s enjoying water sports in the UNESCO Heritage-listed lagoon, feasting on culinary delights, exploring cultural festivals, or hiking through amazing natural landscapes.
Restaurants in New Caledonia

1. Plage de Luengoni

RM1 New Caledonia https://www.nouvellecaledonie.travel/fr/iles/lifou/plage-luengoni
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 150 reviews

Plage de Luengoni

Reviewed By Gil40100 - Dax, France

The Luengoni beach on Lifou island is known as one of the most beautiful. You have so much incredible beaches in New Caledonia and still more in "Loyauté" islands... So all is subjective but it's true that this really long white sandy beach with its curve is incredible. Under the sun the white sand takes all is beauty and the coral rocks in the sea enforce this beauty of nature. Very known by tourists but as all the beaches in New Caledonia, almost nobody on it... The large space you have to put your towel allow you generally to enjoy this beach as a Robinson. You can find shadow at different places (in the back of the beach) and it's easy to stop and join it (even if in the North side, there are lot of houses along the street (hiding a bit some entrances). You have a clear entrance with parking at South end of this wonderful place. You can swim easily with no current and join some small coral reef where you'll find lot of life and its known here that you can see turtles more easily than elsewhere. Be respectful of this wild life please (don't stress the turtles)...

2. Lue Jajinyi Cave

New Caledonia
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Lue Jajinyi Cave

Reviewed By bhittle - San Diego, United States

This cave is about a 10min walk from the dock to the right on the paved road. Easy to get to. You pay $10AUD to enter the property which is next to the church. There will be locals at the shaded area and you are safe to leave any large bags. Take some fresh water especially if it's warm. I would recommend water shoes although you can tough it out once at the cave but the rock can be jagged. This under water cave was the source of fresh water for the locals until it became a tourist attraction. The island has many underwater caves like this as one local told us. Not recommended for handicapped or persons unable to handle trail elevations. Its a steep descent into the cave opening. If you are considering bringing children they need to be good swimmers capable of climbing out of the water once they jump in. You cannot touch the bottom. Once inside it's Incredible! Locals have wired a light inside so you can see. The water is crystal clear. Refreshing is the word everyone used to describe how it feels once you jump in. You could spend about 45min to 1 hr here. It was a great way to end our day after snorkeling and hanging out on the beach.

3. Port-Boise

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Port-Boise

4. Piscine Naturelle

Ile Des Pins New Caledonia +687 46.15.15
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,109 reviews

Piscine Naturelle

Reviewed By Chellenc - Grand Terre, New Caledonia

Visited here at low tide a 10-15 min walk from Meridian, walked along beach till we met inlet and followed inlet to piscine naturelle... Beautiful and plenty of variety or coral, fish, etc to see. We went at low tide and was great however I can only imagine how great this would be at high tide. Easy and safe.

5. Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie

3 Route Aquarium Anse Vata Anse-Vata, Noumea, Grand Terre 98800 New Caledonia +687 26.27.31 [email protected] http://www.aquarium.nc
Excellent
47%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,915 reviews

Aquarium des Lagons Nouvelle Caledonie

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!

6. Kanumera Bay

Isle Of Pines, Ile Des Pins New Caledonia https://www.newcaledonia.travel/en/islands/ile-pins/kanumera-bay
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 498 reviews

Kanumera Bay

Reviewed By jesswright24 - Mango Hill, Australia

Isle of Pines.- piscinnie natural (the natural lagoon), gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous, would be even more so in high tide. Long long walk to get to it (through water & through bush). We departed from Le Meridian and it took approx 20 mins to walk with our 7 & 3 year olds. Lots of fish, coral close to shore & beautiful setting. The Kanumera bay is stunning!!! Not too many fish but gorgeous setting. Is right across the toad from Kuto bay and beach. Kuto beach is walkable from the Jetty boat pulls into. Turn left upon exiting jetty and just follow the road around to Kuto bay beach, 10 minute walk. The sand is like pure Velvet!!! It is even better than Whitehaven beach in QLD. The colours are out if this world. Across the road from Kuto bay (yes literally across the toad) is Kanumera bay, walk down there for a total slice of paradise! After getting off boat there is lots of taxis and mini buses. We got into a mini van with some other tourists (who also spoke french), after the driver announced bonjour Madame Piscine Natural .... yep cool that’s where We want to go let’s just get in. No idea on cost or anything just ran with it! About a 20 minute drive later He took us to Le Meridian Hotel and dropped us off there to walk to the Natural Lagoon and said come back at 2pm. It ended up costing $3000 XPF (approx $42 AUD) for the four of us - 2 adults 2 kids). He then took us to Kanumera bay (again about 30 minutes drive) , and charged us $3000 again. He said we just walk back to jetty to get on boat when we were ready. And pointed to jetty. Boat with Bettico shipping companies was $8990XPF for adults return. Total cost us $342 AUD approx. 2 adults 2 kids. Planes was about $1000. French is widely spoken everywhere and English is very limited or not at all so brushing up on your basics is a good idea.

7. Ilot Maitre

Noumea, Grand Terre New Caledonia +687 28.53.20 http://www.glphotels.nc/escapade-ilot-maitre.html
Excellent
48%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 481 reviews

Ilot Maitre

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!

8. Blue River Provincial Park

1 Route Du Pont Perignon, Yate, Grand Terre 98834 New Caledonia +687 43.61.24 https://www.newcaledonia.travel/en/great-south/yate/blue-river-park
Excellent
59%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 149 reviews

Blue River Provincial Park

Reviewed By alisonrT3109OM - Melbourne, Australia

I spent about four hours here as part of a bird-watching tour group with an expert guide. The variety of bird species to be seen was truly amazing! The park seemed generally well-maintained. My only reservation was that the caretakers were using noisy leaf-blowers. Something that only creates air pollution and noise pollution for both humans and birds alike, and after all the leaves blow back again anyway!!!

9. Grand Terre: Poe Beach and Roche Percee

Poe, Bourail, Grand Terre 98870 New Caledonia
Excellent
43%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 160 reviews

Grand Terre: Poe Beach and Roche Percee

10. Lifou Island

New Caledonia https://www.newcaledonia.travel/en/islands/lifou
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 673 reviews

Lifou Island

Reviewed By sm2683 - Newstead, Australia

We spent the day at Lifou while on a P&O Cruise on the Pacific Dawn ship. A beautiful spot to relax on the beach and jump off the pier with kids! Beautiful reefs. 4-5 large sea turtles started swimming around us while in the water! Amazing! Some good little local markets. Highly recommend reef shoes as the beaches are incredibly rough and sharp with coral and shells.

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