Awesome Things to do in New Caledonia

We definitely needed this post when we were planning our trip as we had no idea what to do in New Caledonia. Thankfully we had a family member who could show us around and give us some tips about the best things to do in New Caledonia and where to visit.

We knew we wanted to visit a pacific island as travel from New Zealand isn’t cheap or easy. Finding out that New Caledonia was only 2.5 hours away with affordable, direct flights was a real deal clincher and we quickly started planning.

Going to the beach is obviously one of the best things to do in New Caledonia.

After a few weeks of research, tips from locals and 2 weeks exploring this beautiful island we’ve come up with a list of awesome things to do in New Caledonia on your trip.

If you’re looking for more of the nitty gritty about accommodation, transport, food and budget check out our detailed guide to New Caledonia.

Go Snorkelling

New Caledonia sits in the world’s largest lagoon and you can literally walk straight into the water from the middle of Noumea and see an incredible range of sea life.

Snorkelling with turtles is one of the most exiting things to do in New Caledonia.

For an amazing day of snorkelling or diving head out to one of the islands from Noumea and you have a really good chance of seeing turtles, sharks, sea snakes and fish of all shapes and colours. Water temperatures are pleasant year-round so there’s no excuse not to experience the incredible underwater world of the lagoon.

Camp in a Tent

Most people think of luxury resorts when they picture a trip to a pacific island but New Caledonia caters perfectly for independent campers. There are plenty of campgrounds located everywhere from idyllic beaches to national parks and camping on many of the smaller islands is free.

Facilities at the campground vary but most will have flushing toilets, showers (often hot) and barbequing facilities. Camping is such a unique experience in New Caledonia and an amazing way to enjoy the great outdoors and save a considerable amount on accommodation costs.

See the Heart of Voh

This is a well-known attraction and is often shown on guide books and posts about New Caledonia. There are two ways to see the heart of Voh, the first is from the air. You can book a flight over the mangrove forests and get some incredible views of the coastline, surrounding islands and of course the picture-perfect heart.

If your more budget travel inclined you can do what we did and hike to the viewpoint on Mt Kathepaik. The hike up takes about an hour and a half and while the heart is a little distorted because of the lower angle the views are still amazing and it’s a great chance for some exercise between lounging on beaches!

Visit Blue River Park

This National Park was a highlight on our trip to New Caledonia. The rich red soil of the tracks contrasts intensely with the bright green bush and crystal clear rivers. You’ll need a car to get there and once your in you can choose to get around on foot, on bikes or with the shuttle service. There are also kayak tours available.

Walk in the Fern Park

This is a well maintained and easy to navigate park which is home to some of the country’s unique forest life. The walking tracks are made to suit different time frames and fitness levels and each one takes you through dense bush and some to viewpoints and across rivers.

To be honest, we found it a little underwhelming as much of the bush was similar to New Zealand where we are overly lucky to have it all on our doorsteps for free. But if you’re coming from further afield it makes a lovely day out in nature.

If you want to stay nearby Refuge de Farino comes highly recommended.

Eat French Food

Because New Caledonia is technically part of France there are all kinds of French cuisine available. From high-end restaurants in Noumea selling venison or crepes to the local boulangerie (bakery) there are all kinds of ways to enjoy your fix of European food while relaxing on a pacific island.

If you’re on a budget, baguette and cheese will fast become your meal of choice and no one can go past fresh pastries baked each morning. Noumea has the best bakeries and French restaurants and you’ll be more likely to find local food and a few traditional Kanak-style restaurants around the rest of the island.

Spot Kagu

If you visit the Blue River National Park there’s a high chance of spotting the endangered kagu bird which is the national bird and endemic to New Caledonia. Brought back from a population of under 100 in the late 1970s these quirky little birds wander the park and can often be found in small groups fossicking in the bush.

They have been compared to New Zealand’s kiwi except that they are active during the day. It’s a special experience to be able to watch them in the wild and definitely one of the more unique things to do in New Caledonia.

Go Stargazing

The lack of light pollution in New Caledonia makes it the perfect spot to lie back and enjoy a starry night. Even from Noumea, you can see thousands of stars but the best views are from more remote areas such as the far north and some of the islands. Staying in a bungalow or camping will give you a good opportunity to sit outside and stargaze.

Visit the Coffee Museum

This is a bit of an off the beaten path attraction but totally worth making time for. Located in a restored heritage building in Voh the museum will give you an interesting run down of the history of coffee and how it’s processed.

It is all in French but there are lots of pictures and videos. The museum is set on a beautiful piece of land where they grow and process the coffee. You can wander through the coffee plantation or see the beans drying on trays. There’s even a campground well equipped with toilets and showers. Of course, your visit would not be complete without trying the coffee, so take a seat on the balcony and order yourself an espresso!

Museum website here.

Go Whale Watching

July to September is whale season in New Caledonia and it’s an amazing opportunity to see humpback whales in the wild. There are whale watching boats which head off from Prony or you can book in to be taken from Noumea to the departure point. There is no guarantee of course but most of the tours have high chances of seeing whales and the guides are experienced, informative and conscious of ethical practises.

Stay in a Fare

Staying in a traditional fare is an interesting and fun experience when staying in New Caledonia. The traditional house or hut form of a round base with a thatched roof has been recreated across many different accommodation options.

From basic huts at campgrounds to luxury bungalows at resorts, you can find an option that suits to live out your pacific island dream. If you’re interested in how these huts are built make sure you visit the Tjibao Centre in Noumea which is the next of our top things to do in New Caledonia.

Visit the Tjibao Centre

This is a little bit outside of Noumea and is an interesting spot to visit as a day out. Not only are there traditional fare, local and pacific art exhibitions and a Kanak walk showcasing traditional stories from New Caledonia.

But the actual building itself is a work of art and a must-visit for anyone interested in architecture. The design is based on traditional fare or houses. It consists of 10 cases, the tallest reaching 28m high and the exterior is clad in iroko timber.

Go Cycling in Noumea

Another visible sign of the European influence in Noumea is the presence of well-maintained cycle lanes. The main route leads around the coast of Noumea and out to the domestic airport. The track is mostly flat and well sealed and is a relaxing and scenic way to enjoy the city.

Take a picnic and cycle your way to a beach front view to sit and relax. The paths are marked but remember to ride on the right and be careful on any sections where you need to ride on the road.

Try Some Water Sports

New Caledonia has great temperatures year round so the best thing to do on this island nation is take to water. There are plenty of opportunities to try new water sports on your holiday in New Caledonia and everything above and below water is catered for.

Try wind surfing, kayaking or going on a fishing tour. Or why not sailing or stand up paddle boarding? The options are endless and you’ll find rental and tour companies available at various beach front accommodation or along the beach.

Relax on an Island

A trip to New Caledonia would not be complete without a visit to one of the small outer islands. Whether it’s simply as a day trip from Noumea or by taking a ferry or flight to stay on one of the larger islands it’s one of the top things to do in New Caledonia that cannot be missed.

The Loyalty Islands or the popular Isle de Pins have great accommodation options and offer a range of activities to compliment the pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters. If you’re stretched for time or budget consider heading out to one of the smaller islands from Noumea on a day tour or take a tent and camp for free.

Watch a sunset

There’s something about a sunset over the ocean that seems to be so much more magnificent and the fiery reds and oranges of a New Caledonian sunset do not disappoint. The beaches along the west coast provide the perfect vantage points for sunset enjoyment or there are plenty of waterfront restaurants and bars in Noumea which have unbeatable views of the glowing skies across the ocean, cocktail in hand -bliss!

Walk the Bays of Noumea

Noumea is ideally located with bays on all sides. As a visitor to the city, the best way to get a feel for it is to take a stroll from one side to the other around the bays.

You’ll pass by the marina, the popular Bai de Citron (Lemon Bay) with its many bars and restaurants, Anse Vata Bay offers great swimming and is located next to some of the big hotels. The walk from the city centre to Anse Vata Bay will take around an hour around the bays and there are buses or taxis back to town.

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