Underwater wonders
In 2008, UNESCO was keen to highlight the exceptionality of the New Caledonian reef by including it on the list of the world's natural heritage: it represents nearly 60% of the total surface area of the territory's lagoon and coral reef. The diving opportunities in New Caledonia are unique in the world, and for good reason, it is here that we find the largest lagoon in the world, surrounded by a coral reef of over 1,600 km. The offer is equal to the extraordinary potential of the seabed, whatever your level or your motivation: wetsuits and tanks, snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, or caving. During your aquatic peregrinations, you will evolve within a rare ecosystem sheltering more than 2 000 species of fish (from the parrot fish to the manta ray) and dozens of different corals. Turtles, sharks, shellfish, seahorses, lobsters, jacks, sea snakes and many others form a first class underwater fauna. The magic and harmony of a biotope are within reach of your hand and flippers. Let yourself be amazed by these unique underwater landscapes and naturally respect your environment. The golden rule: "you only touch with your eyes!"
Is this the first time?
In this case, you will spend your baptism: 30 minutes under water with an instructor who holds your hand. The shallow depth (5 m maximum in general) is enough to reassure you and make you want to try again. Count 9 000 CFP for a first incursion into the underwater world. You can then taste the pleasure of breathing underwater, in weightlessness. Very quickly, the joint discovery of underwater life and technique arouses curiosity and pushes one to go further.
Want more?
In this case, a training is necessary. The pleasure of scuba diving is closely linked to safety. The evolution of a diver requires the progressive integration of certain technical notions. We advise you to follow a training course in one of the diving centers approved by the French or international federation. Unfortunately, diving organizations engage in a rather sterile "war": the diploma obtained from one is not necessarily valid for another. The French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports (FFESSM), the French Federation of Sports and Gymnastics at Work (FSGT), the National Association of Diving Instructors (ANMP) and the National Union of Diving Instructors (SNMP) constitute the French training organizations. They provide diving levels (from 1 to 4). To dive in New Caledonia, you must have at least a level 1 certification. In spite of the agreements made between organizations, some foreign diving clubs do not always recognize French diplomas. Sometimes criticized, sometimes praised, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) remains the first international diving organization. Its "basic" diploma, the OpenWater, allows autonomous dives in pairs. PADI is recognized worldwide and throughout New Caledonia. The National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is also one of the largest international diving organizations. It is also one of the oldest. It offers a complete curriculum that will satisfy the most demanding divers.
Whatever the course you choose, the diving centers will ask you for a medical certificate of fitness to dive issued by a specialized sports doctor. Those who have the foresight to get this document before leaving will not have to waste time finding a doctor once they are there. The others will ask the diving center they have chosen for the contact information of a specialist. Once you have this document, the serious business can begin. Diving in a club requires mastering certain essential techniques. Obtaining a certificate crowns the first training. Diving clubs generally offer ANMP/ SNMP or PADI courses spread over two or more days. They include a theoretical part and a practical part (execution of underwater exercises). The cost is usually 40,000 CFP. This first diploma will give you the right to dive to about 20 m.
The serious business begins.
You have obtained your patent? Congratulations, now it's your turn! Diving clubs all over New Caledonia offer you the opportunity to discover the sumptuous underwater world. The advantage of diving in a club is the safety: you are supervised by a qualified instructor who knows the site well and can show you what an untrained eye would not necessarily see. Generally, clubs offer two dives: a first dive of 45 to 60 minutes, with a break of at least one hour on the boat to recover, and a second dive, generally easier and shallower than the first. The return to land takes place in the early afternoon. Count on 12,000 CFP for a trip (including equipment rental).
Dive spots around Noumea
We begin with spots in the vicinity. Perfect to get a first glimpse of the underwater wonders of the rock!
Ile aux Canards. Beautiful palm hikes are to be done on the underwater path. The beginners and the less beginners will appreciate it.
Dry-cruise. Shallow diving (10 m) accessible to all. Coral tongue populated by lutjans. A good site for night dives.
Patate de Tépava - Master island. Accessible to all. The fauna is abundant: loaches, rays, small lagoon sharks and turtles make divers happy.
Patate du Sournois. The coral formation rises from a 10-meter deep bottom and attracts numerous schools of fish.
The outer pass of Boulari. Coral plateau at 15 m, foot of the drop-off at 50 m and drift dive. Divers start exploring along the wall and end up in the pass at a depth of 12 meters. If you are lucky, you may observe pelagic fish.
The southern point of the taboo reef. It is a very rugged wall ending on a sandy bottom of 25 meters. You can meet tazars, jacks, porcelain lobsters, mekouas...
The potato of Amedee lighthouse. This underwater reserve is the den of parrot fish, yellow barbels and butterfly fish. The site is suitable for initiation.
The wreck of La Dieppoise. The last wooden patrol boat of the Royale was sunk on January 19, 1988 to make a diving site. For the record, this boat was built in Port Arthur, Canada, in 1952, before being based in Brest in 1961, then in Diego Suarez (Madagascar) in 1972 and finally in Nouméa in 1976. It is said to have been given to France by the Americans as part of the Marshall Plan. The Dieppoise lies at less than 26 meters on a sandy bottom. Happy divers, you will visit the wheelhouse through the two side doors.
The loch wall. You dive directly into the Dumbéa channel where, from mid-October, the loaches start to reproduce. It is possible to see grey sharks.
The horn of Uitoé. Large canyons and a magnificent coral reef. You may see pelagic sharks.
The Humboldt wreck. Much less visited than the Dieppoise wreck, this wreck is even more interesting. This longliner was sunk in 22 meters of water in 1993. The port railing is located at a depth of 13 meters and the access to the boat is through the holds of the front deck.
Dives around Hienghène
Direction the north-east coast, one of the most beautiful places of the island to dive!
Doïman Reef - Cathedral. This dive is one of the most famous in New Caledonia. Scientists agree that the quality of the coral is incomparable. A deep fault leads into a tunnel that opens up into the blue where large pelagics often roam. The dive continues along a vertiginous wall above a bottom of more than 50 meters. The gorgonians hanging on the wall are surrounded by an abundant marine fauna. Humpback parrots are present in October and November.
Doïman Reef - Sperm whale point. It is unthinkable to do this dive on your own, without the help of a guide. The dive starts on the top of the reef and very quickly a deep fault leads you into a mineral maze. Canyons, arches and faults offer stunning perspectives and unreal light effects. Images from the film Oceans were shot in one of these faults.
Hienghène pass - Anse aux baleines. Often observed near the great pass of Hienghène or inside the lagoon, between July and September, the great humpback whales are particularly fond of this northern part of the Hienghène islet. The site presents a V-shaped architecture open to the open sea. However, there are no fish here. On the other hand, you will reach a tunnel and a beautiful arch studded with gorgonians.
Hienghène-Tidwan pass. The "fish" dive par excellence. Three huge pinnacles rising from a depth of 25 meters are used as a hideout for schools of jacks, ludjans and barracudas.
Hiengu pass. It is a large coral plateau, sheltered from the trade winds, which is 3 meters below the surface. The northern part of the reef is a real gruyère: tunnels, arches and canyons... The caves, whose ceiling opens towards the surface, offer a beautiful perspective as well as splendid plays of light on the coral gardens.
donga Hienga. This site is not sheltered from the trade winds and should be visited in calm seas. Its particularity: it shelters the ribbon eel that you will certainly meet in the shallow waters. It is the ideal place to discover nudibranches, anemones, shrimps and other invertebrates.
Fonti Reef. Well sheltered from the trade winds, this dive starts on the plateau formed by the reef at 3 meters under the surface. Soon, a fault leads you to the entrance of two beautiful caves, whose ceiling opens towards the surface. The ascent is made through a large sloping chimney, covered with white gorgonians, which brings you back to 3 meters, on the top of the reef, where splendid corals and a myriad of fishes are waiting for you.
Dives around Poindimié
South of Hienghène and north of Noumea, Poindimié is a very nice site, for beginners or advanced.
Bargibanti. An isolated pinnacle in the central pass. Pelagic fauna is present on this site. Many gorgonians cling to the walls and the famous pygmy seahorses have already been observed. The dive ends at the top of the pinnacle, in a very colorful environment. Good level required.
Waneque. Dive on the eastern edge of the plateau of the central pass. The architecture is exceptional: arches, caves dotted with gorgonians... Keep your eyes open for nudibranchs.
The Arch. Located at the northern edge of the plateau of the central pass, this huge arch (12 m high) covered with gorgonians offers an easy dive. Pelagics, nudibranchs and shrimps are often observed there.
Actineria. The dive is done on the outside of the reef, along a small path to reach a remarkable isolated pinnacle. This one shelters large gorgonians, huge rose-shaped corals and giant anemones. The name of the site comes from the cluster anemone or actineria. Observation of white shells(Ovula ovum). Turtle passages.
Val d'Isère. False pass in the reef, on a background of white sand with very large coral masses. The color, the shapes, the size and the diversity of the corals are exceptional. Fishes abound. Leopard sharks are sometimes seen prowling around.
Tibarama. It is necessary to dive there at night, to meet parrots, lobsters, turtles or even porcelain.
Diving spots of the Isle of Pines
The sites of the Isle of Pines are absolutely exceptional, there are no less than 17 of which we will retain the main ones:
Passe de Gié. Drift diving in a pass where barracudas, jacks, sharks and eagle rays meet.
Valley of the Gorgonians. The dive starts at the top of a reef platform reaching a height of minus 3 meters and covered with superb corals. There are many faults and the fauna is abundant (gray sharks, white tip sharks, eagle rays...).
The Garden of Eden. Experienced divers will dive through a succession of faults between 5 and 50 meters. Soft corals, gorgonians, alcyonarias and sponges have colonized the area. The lucky ones will be able to observe pygmy seahorses.
The third cave. Lovers of caving will be delighted. This site offers a unique dive in the heart of a forest of stalactites and stalagmites, in a submerged part of the cave. Access reserved to experienced divers.
Kasmira reef. This site is the stronghold of leopard sharks and will please both novice and experienced divers. The shallow waters are very rich in fish.
Mur aux Pouattes. A diversity and abundance of coral, on a 30-meter drop-off: the current often attracts bigger fish. A must-see!
Dive spots and PMT in Ouvéa
On the island of paradise, one comes mainly to observe manta rays. For the first three sites of the following list, you can simply equip yourself with fins, mask and snorkel.
Mouli's bridge: by putting yourself on the non-taboo side. Strong current. The ramp of Oulouop, in the north.
Mouli Point : at the extreme south of the island, with a drop-off accessible only a few meters away. Beware of currents.
Tiberia beach : at the entrance of the Ognat tribe (at the level of the green stairs), or at the departure of the snack bar Au Soleil levant. Let yourself drift with the strong current to land on this beautiful beach.
La Pointe : This is the first pass of Ouvéa. The dive is done on a drop off, in natural faults and tunnels. Return to the boat or drift.
Les Miettes : experienced divers explore a submerged reef of one kilometer long. The current is strong. Possible drift.
La Passe du Styx : drift dive, on a drop-off and inside a pass.
Camelot : superb coral reef. Diving on the wall and in the pass. Possible drift.
Bonaparte : drift on a wall and a pass.
Gardens of Styx : maximum depth of 20 meters. Coral garden in the middle of the channel: hard and soft corals are splendid.
False pass: superb coral gardens in a shallow pass (18 m). Return to the boat or drift.
Ideas for thematic stays
Whether you are a novice or a seasoned diver, New Caledonia's sea beds have everything to seduce you. Here is a suggestion for a 100% diving trip. Before leaving, remember that it is necessary to let 24 hours pass between your last dive and your departure by plane to avoid any risk of decompression sickness.
Day 1: Start by recovering from jet lag. You can visit Noumea, its beautiful aquarium and its beaches, especially the Baie des Citrons andAnse Vata. Take the opportunity to book a diving trip for the next day.
Day 2: diving at Amedee lighthouse or snorkeling with Aquanature.
Day 3: head to the North Province, first stop at Koumac. Take advantage of the afternoon to visit the caves and book your dive for the next day.
Day 4: Discover the pristine underwater sites of Koumac during one or two dives. The more adventurous will discover Canyon Valley, a site at -20 m where it is possible to see hammerhead and white tip sharks.
Day 5: Take the cross-country road to the East Coast, stopping along the way at Colnett and Tao Falls . Continue on the road to Hienghène for an overnight stay.
Day 6 : Discover the underwater world of Hienghène with the Babou Côté Océan diving club. There are about ten sites to choose from, including one of the filming locations of Jacques Perrin's movie, Oceans (2009).
Day 7: Today, discover Hienghène on land, take the time to make one of the walks which gives beautiful views on the rocks of Lindéralique and on the hen.
Day 8: On the way to Poindimié now. If you are not in a hurry, stop here for a day or two to discover the surrounding valleys or the Tibarama islet. If you don't have time, return to Noumea.
Day 9: Go to Lifou by boat or by plane, pick up a rental car and spend a lazy afternoon on one of the island's beautiful beaches: Luengöni, Peng or Santal Bay.
Day 10: It's time to discover Lifou's seabed, which is among the most beautiful in the archipelago, during one or two dives.
Day 11: This morning, discover the " jewels of Luengöni " with a guide. In the afternoon, go to the site of Easo for a snorkeling tour on the underwater path of the Jinek aquarium.
Day 12: Early morning flight to Ouvéa, "the island closest to paradise". After settling into the accommodation of your choice, hire a guide to visit the cliffs of Lékiny.
Day 13: Head to the south of the island where you will find some remarkable dive sites.
Day 14: Enjoy a last day of relaxation on Mouli beach, or go to Tiberia beach, in the north of the island, for a last snorkeling trip.
Day 15: Flight to Noumea.
