Adventure Tourism in New Caledonia

Exciting adventures in New Caledonia await. Discover the many faces of the Archipelago during an unforgettable stay in the South Pacific. Between land, sea and air, New Caledonia guarantees you a trip that rhymes with wonder and excitement. Trekking, snorkeling, mountain bike, horseback riding will lead you to the heart of Caledonian nature. Scuba diving promises the discovery of exceptional spots. Finally, get ready for the jump of the century, by skydiving above the most beautiful lagoon in the world!

Air Leisure
When in New Caledonia, you need to take advantage of the perfect sky to get an air trip! Coral reef, dense forests, lunar landscape of the South. Everything is so beautiful seen from above. In a paraglider, helicopter, light plane or a parachute, the Caledonian Archipelago reveals all its beauty from its blue sky.

Fly all over the Archipelago
Boulouparis, Bourail, Noumea, Poum… You will have a wide range of options to fly and admire the magnificent landscapes of New Caledonia. The Caledonian sky is accessible to both amateurs and professionals and confirmed teams await you for the jump or flight of your life.

Inland Sports
The land of New Caledonia can be appreciated in many ways. By taking walks, of course, but also by choosing to be enriched by everything that makes it one of a kind as a country. By its environment, its traditions, and its inhabitants. It’s through contact with the Caledonians, their nature, and their customs that the archipelago truly reveals itself.

Discovering unique environments
For years, New Caledonia has been attached to providing the best possible protection to the natural land areas that are the most emblematic and native examples of fauna and flora, unique in this world thanks to their richness, diversity, and fragility. The reserves established by public institutions are a superb opportunity for you to discover the rain forest, only 30% of whose initial surface remains, or the dry forest, which is even more fragile, with 1% of its original surface still alive.

Water Sports
And if you put on your explorer’s hat for a few hours or a few days to set out and explore the waterways? In a canoe or a kayak, on your own or with a guide, with your friends or in a larger group, there is no shortage of chances to imagine yourself as Indiana Jones as long as you focus on treks matched to your skills.

On the Smooth Water
To practice and become used to handling light watercraft, New Caledonia allows you to explore the waters without facing the sometimes turbulent waves of the ocean. Along the Dumbéa River or the Ouenghi river, or even along the calm lake of the Blue River Park, you can be initiated into the art of rowing effectively in a spirit of sport and relaxation. A moment of unlimited shared pleasure.

BETWEEN SEA & RIVER
Under the Light of the Full Moon
Add a touch of mystery by embarking on a solo or two-person kayak trip after the sun has set. The night of every full moon provides a chance to discover the drowned forest from a new angle in the heart of the Blue River Provincial Park or take a trip up the Nera river in Bourail. Simply lit by the moon and the stars, your excursion is both restful and fascinating and cannot avoid ending with shared moments of laughter.

Heading for the Forgotten Coast
The most sports-minded will appreciate a wilder destination. Therefore, the Forgotten Coast is the land of their dreams! Far from civilization, accessible only by sea, this luxuriant and dense part of the eastern Caledonian coast is fabulous territory for courageous explorers. For periods of time from two to five days on average, find your inner Robinson Crusoe and set out to discover this magical and preserved area of Caledonia, between the villages of Yaté and Thio.

Human Experiences
Whether you are an amateur on a peaceful river or bound for the sea, kayaking has one common feature: the human experiences that it provides for you. Even for a few hours, sharing the same physical effort and discovering the same colorful landscapes create or strengthen bonds between participants. On this type of craft, communication and mutual support are a must. And for those who love the Forgotten Coast, you can share some unforgettable moments with the inhabitants of this slice of heaven!

Nature and outdoors in New Caledonia
In New Caledonia, nature does not conceal its pleasures. Idyllic beaches border the largest lagoon in the world, and thick forests are home to more than 3,000 native species. The French archipelago is a promise of the exoticness and guarantees a meaningful trip at the heart of the Pacific. In this land of cultural mixes, you will discover inhabitants with generous souls who will share with you the treasures of their land, their ancient culture, heritage. You will also have the opportunity to make the most of the beautiful outdoors of New Caledonia by choosing one of the many soft adventure options on offer.

DIVING & SNORKELING
From beginner divers to excursions for experts, New Caledonia boasts diving spots that are each more magical than the next. Under the water’s surface, coral pinnacles shelter multicolored fauna that is often accessible even without wearing a tank. With reefs, passes and slopes, and the right equipment, divers can meet face-to-face with the big ocean-dwellers.

Flippers, mask and a snorkel
No need to dive for a long time to enjoy the splendors under the surface. With only a mask, flippers and a snorkel, a swimmer can also meet up with butterfly fish, triggerfish, parrotfish and clownfish, plus many more. The underwater path at Ilot Canard (Duck Island), the depths off the coast of the Amédée Island , the lagoon of Poé, the waters off Hienghène or the Loyalty Islands, or wherever you are, you can snorkel and be amazed.

Shipwreck diving
New Caledonia’s barrier reef has ‘surprised’ many navigators throughout the years with a number of ships sinking. Nowadays, those ship wrecks offer the perfect diving spots for locals and international divers alike. At Amedee Lighthouse, the ‘Dieppoise’ is a famous site, as well as the Sun Burnt Country one, near Goeland Islet. If you want to scuba dive around New Caledonia, you will be spoilt for choice between ship wrecks but also mythical spots such as Poindimie and its forests of Gorgonian corals, the underwater caves near Poum or the Crystal clear water of the Isle of Pines!

Freediving
New Caledonia is a paradise for free divers. The breathtaking clear water of the Caledonian Lagoon guarantee fantastic dive trips out. Moreover, the fact that the lagoon isn’t overcrowded with humans means that its inhabitants are far from being shy with the divers. You will be as happy as a clam!

Golf in New Caledonia
As every golf-lover knows, the pleasure of the game is both in its technique and in the environment where it takes place. New Caledonia has embraced this and and it’s four 18-hole courses possess a variety of challenges and features, which makes playing golf even more enjoyable.​​ This just multiplies the pleasure of golfing and discovering the courses.

Jewels of nature
From Tina to Déva, from Ouenghi to Dumbéa, Caledonian golf courses are above all incomparable. Jewels of nature, each with an identity of its own, but always in a privileged environment. At Dumbéa, the course follows the river, while at Déva and Tina, the views from some holes are straight out over the Pacific Ocean and at Boulouparis, the soft valleys of the course invite you to walk just as much as to play golf.

GOLF FOR EVERYONE
Amateur and pros alike
With a little practice, every course is within range for all levels of golfers. As long as you adjust your expectations! Don’t imagine that you can reach par the first times, the challenge would be less entertaining. On the other hand, over time, the most difficult holes become real challenges to adapt your game, perfect your concentration, and improve your level.

Technique takes over
In addition, pro golfers can set the bar very high by going from one course to the other. The 17th hole of Garden Golf in Dumbéa, for example, is one of the longest and most complicated par-5 holes in the Pacific: 560 meters long, a dogleg hole, a small lake, and a river to cross. At Tina golf course, start out in the afternoon and prepare to compete with the east wind to reach your goals.

Family Friendly
In order to increase their attractiveness, some golf courses have focused on family spirit, with the course located in larger complexes and diverse activities. In Deva, the Exclusive Golf course is connected to a high-quality resort and spa, promising rest and tranquility after playing. Boulouparis also invites visitors to explore a resort with multiple activities besides golf. This can satisfy fans of the game, but also their families, who may be less skilled with drivers, wood, irons, and putters.

A Practice Range in the Heart of the city
And if you only want to perfect your technique, a detour to the driving range of the Henri Milliard racecourse is perfectly appropriate. With an inimitable view of the area that is usually reserved for horse racing, the twenty places available allow you to work on your swing before a well-deserved dive in the ocean, a few metres away.

HIKING & TREKKING
For hiking, New Caledonia’s trails and paths can’t be beaten. But for the more adventurous, great hiking routes, especially the Grande Randonnée or GR, offer both breathtaking landscapes as well as walking conditions that suit athletic individuals. Get your backpack ready, the GR is waiting for you to cross the Mainland from north to south.

Walk through unspoiled nature
Each stage involvess around six to seven hours of walking – a very long walk which requires calves ready to take the strain. But the strain is suitably rewarded by the varied landscape you will walk through. In the Tchamba Valley, on the Letocard trail, in the Wâo Uni pass… Hikers cross from the dense vegetation typical of this region, to drier, wooded areas or a primal forest, home to flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth.

Through creek and waterfalls
Throughout all of the stages, rivers and creeks border the course. These sometimes produce cascades and create little corners of paradise. You will sometimes have to cross the water to remain on course. But be careful – during the heavy rain season, do not try to be Indiana Jones. The current can become very strong very quickly, and for safety reasons you must stop, find shelter and wait for the end of the downpour and for the water to subside.

Walk and respect
This is an almost natural attitude among nature lovers: admire the plant-life without removing it, admire the animals without touching or scaring them, do not make a fire and do not leave litter. These small gestures will help to preserve the beauty of the location.

SAILING IN NEW CALEDONIA
At 24,000 km², the Caledonian Lagoon is a wonderful playground for those who want to enjoy the pleasures of boating. Caledonians also love it, and spend their free time as soon as they can on outings that last from a few hours to several days. Experienced and beginner sailers will love the countless ways to enjoy the Pacific Ocean off the coast of New Caledonia.

Take a guide
Deep South, the northern lagoon, Isle of Pines or the Loyalty Islands, why not plan on discovering all these wonders from the ocean? There have never been more boating professionals who are willing to guide passengers who love wide open spaces and who want to spend a few days on the sea. This is a unique opportunity to discover islets that are still wild and to cross paths with dolphins, turtles, dugongs and other inhabitants of the lagoon, all while you relax in the hands of an experienced skipper.

Take the helm
Sailors can also enjoy the sea in catamarans, canoes, or even motorboats. The lagoon is perfect for cruising, relaxing and discovery. Rent a boat in Nouméa or Koumac and set off for the sailing adventure you want on a welcoming, gentle lagoon. Perfect to travel at your own peace and to be at one with nature.

Navigate with UNESCO
Since 2008, boating on the Caledonian lagoon has taken on another dimension. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, six areas are included on the prestigious UNESCO list. By the reef of Entrecasteaux in the Southern lagoon or in the coastal areas of the West, North and East, sailing the New Caledonian lagoon now involves a commitment. You can take a boat and protect the environment, aware of the universal heritage that surrounds us.

In the open ocean
If you want to, why not go a bit further on your adventure? Whether you take the helm yourself or you use an experienced team, anyone can find their place on board and set off for an even more exciting adventure to Vanuatu or even Australia and New Zealand. These crossings take time and still require some experience on the sea. But in New Caledonia, a desire for boating will surely seize you in no time at all!

WATER SPORTS IN NEW CALEDONIA
For those who love board sports, whatever you do, do not miss the Caledonian lagoon! With perfectly smooth water, almost constant breezes, waves for a technical challenge. In Nouméa or off the coast of the main island, windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing and bodyboarding are perfect to do all throughout the year!

Sails to the horizon
As soon as the slightest sustained breeze picks up, there’s something like a rush to the beach and the water. Sails fill and set out to sea immediately. The water surface off Nouméa is ideal for daily practice, and is also friendly as windsurfers share their passion for sailing and for the ocean. And for novices who want to get in on the adventure, there’s no shortage of schools along the bays of the capital, but also outside the urban area.

DISCOVER BOARD SPORTS
Kitesurfing at full sail
This sport is constantly being developed and perfected, to the point that Caledonians are now showing off their talent on the national and international scenes. With their board and sail, kitesurfers crisscross the surface of the lagoon and follow the winds and the waves. They can reach impressive heights and perform extremely technical figures. This sport will be enjoyed by those who love an adrenaline rush.

Windsurfing is always popular
As a board-sports paradise, windsurfing has been the top board sport for several decades in New Caledonia. With Robert Teriitehau in the lead, a multiple champion of France and the world, the territory has constantly shone through in the world of windsurfing. From the north to the south, schools teach the first lessons and required techniques to do windsurfing so you can be free on the crests of the waves!

Board sports in all its forms
The list of boardsports available in New Caledonia is endless. Sailboats and catamarans are countless, and jet-skis and motorboats are also perfect ways to get around the ocean and enjoy a majestic environment. And who could forget about surfing, which many amateurs enjoy off the coast of Bourail, a legendary community on the west coast. The most recent sport, stand-up paddle (or SUP) has finally found a place in New Caledonia, just for fun or for a much more athletic challenge.

HORSE RIDE IN NEW CALEDONIA
In New Caledonia, the horse is king. There is one for every 20 inhabitants. From north to south, wild or domesticated, for competition or riding, horses are part of the archipelago’s landscape. A few hours’ ride between the mountain chain and the waterfront is one of the best ways to discover the true nature of the Caledonian bush.

The all-terrain horse saddle
The central chain of New Caledonia is a vast territory, of which few aspects can be perceived from the outside. However, if we venture on horseback into the properties of breeders, we can capture its diversity and its wildest sides. Riding on these saddles, places that can’t be reached by foot become true places of strolling and discovery.

On pace in the mountain chain
Slowly, you’ll climb the arduous slopes of the chain to reach the most majestic viewpoints overlooking the plains and the mountains, with the Pacific Ocean in the distance. In properties where livestock is king, led by an experienced guide, hikers have an extraordinary opportunity to become familiar with the local flora and fauna.

Galloping at the water’s edge
If we leave the heights for a little while so we can reach the shore, a completely different story begins. If you are an experienced rider, nothing prevents you from soaring in a gallop refreshing to both the animal and his passenger. The Lebris peninsula, at the entrance to the village, offers beautiful, pleasant beaches to trot, rest, have a picnic and bathe, as well as beautiful expanses of mangroves to explore during low tide.

On the saddle for a piece of history
Another unexpected aspect for fans of equestrian sport is the way that these rides open up the history of New Caledonia. Close to the bushmen, you’ll learn about the past of local families, the struggles for land and the way in which the population can now gather around common values.

Horse riding, Western style
If you wish to blend into the background, put on your cowboy hat, jeans and leather boots. Is this a parody? Not really. Landowners may actually invite you to accompany them in a tiring day of cattle tracking. A once-in-a-lifetime experience!