Top Attractions in Noumea: New Caledonia’s Must-Visit Spots

Amedee Island Sea

Due to the current riots, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised people to avoid non-essential travel.

This page introduces recommended sightseeing spots in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia.

A sample one-day sightseeing itinerary for Noumea is introduced in the link below, but we will also introduce other recommended sightseeing spots for those staying for more than a day.


For information on transportation from the airport and SIM cards, please click here.



Here are the differences with France.


Noumea Map

How to use Google Map
・Click the square mark on the top left of the map to see a list of tourist spots.

・If you open the enlarge button on the top right corner on your smartphone, this model course will be displayed on Google Maps along with its location information.

・You can also quickly return to this map from the table of contents in the sidebar (if using a smartphone, select “Go to table of contents” from the menu at the bottom of the screen).


One-Day Trip to Remote Islands

From Noumea, you can go to several remote islands on day trips.

Click here to see how to get to remote islands where you will need to stay overnight, such as the Ile des Pins and the Loyalty Islands (Lifou, Maré, and Ouvéa).


①Duck Island

Duck Island

Îlot Canard

Time required: 10 min

Admission fee: 1600 xpf for the round trip

Opening hour: 8h30 am – 5 pm

Close: No

The closest island from Noumea is Canard Island. It is visible from Anse Vata Beach, and you can get there in about 5 minutes by taxi boat. There is a restaurant in the middle of the island where you can eat. The island itself is very small, and you can go around it in about 15 minutes. The boat stop is at the pier next to the restaurant Le Fun.


②Master Island

Master Island

Îlot Maître

Time required: 2h

Admission fee: 2500 xpf for the round trip

Opening hour: 9 am – 5 pm

Close: No

Another island visible from Anse Vata Beach is Master Island. It is larger than Duck Island and has a hotel called Double Tree. There are rows of overwater cottages, and you can enjoy a tropical view. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can go on a day trip by inquiring at Double Tree. Unlike Duck Island, the dock departs from Moselle Port in the city center. You need to reserve a boarding time in advance, and you can do so via the email address below.

Contact for Double Tree
noumeailotmaitre.info@hilton.com


③Amédée Lighthouse

Amédée Lighthouse

Phare Amédée

Time required: 8h

Admission fee: from 14,950 xpf
(it depends on the season)

Amédée Island is an island that can be reached in just under an hour by boat from Moselle Port. To get to this island, we will join a tour organized by a company called Mary D. A shuttle bus will pick you up at the hotel around 7 – 8 am and you will return to the hotel around 5 pm. It takes about 40 minutes to go around the island, but you can swim here. Reservations can be made on the website below.

Mary D Reservation Site
https://www.maryd.nc/

It’s not open every day, so it’s best to make a reservation in advance.


Daily schedule

Here is an outline of the daily schedule I experienced (subject to change).

7 – 8 amA shuttle bus will pick you up at the hotel
9 amDeparture from Moselle Port
10 amArrival at Amédée Island, then free time
12 pmLunch
1 pmFree time, climbing palm trees
2 pmGlass bottom boat experience
2h30 pmFree time
3h30 pmDeparture from Amédée Island
4h30 pmArrival at Moselle Port
5 pmArrival at hotel

The shuttle bus goes around each hotel, so the pick-up time varies depending on the hotel. Tour participants are divided into groups, and the glass-bottom boat time varies for each group. You will be told which group you are in while on the boat.

During your free time, you can do whatever you like: climb the lighthouse, mail a postcard from the smallest post office in the world, swim in the sea, etc. There were sea turtles in the shallow water and we were able to get close to them.

There is a restaurant for lunch, and you can eat as much as you like of what you like in buffet style. There is also a dance show during the meal, which is very fun.

Amedee Island Tahitian Dance


After the meal, children can freely participate in the palm tree climbing event. They will show you how to climb a palm tree. After that, they will teach you how to crack a coconut.

the palm tree climbing event


The glass-bottom boat experience allows you to explore the nearby seas on a boat with a glass floor. It is highly recommended as you will see more fish than you would expect.

The glass-bottom boat

On days when the tour is not running, you can go there by individual taxi boat, but the restaurants and other facilities are not open because they are owned by Mary D. If you want to enjoy Amedee Island to the fullest, it is best to join a tour.


Other Remote Islands

There are other remote islands that you can visit on a day trip from Noumea, and you can swim there.

Reservations can be made on the following website:

①Nautica
https://www.nautica.nc/en/home/

②Dal Ocean
https://www.amedee-taxiboat.com/en-GB/

The boarding points and destinations are different for each bus, so please read the information carefully before making a reservation.


④Zoological and Forest Park

Zoological and Forest Park Cagou

Parc Zoologique Et Forestier

Time required: 2h

Admission fee: 600 xpf

Opening hour: 10h15 am – 5 pm

Close: Monday, 1/1, 12/25

This is a zoological and botanical garden located on the outskirts of downtown Noumea. You can see tropical plants and animals. The main attraction is the Cagou bird, which is endemic to New Caledonia. This bird, which is also the national bird, is said to be a lucky charm for married couples because it lives in pairs. It is almost impossible to see them in the wild, so it is a sure thing to visit here. Also, it is quite surprising to see so many peacocks roaming free in the garden.

New Caledonia Peacock

Access

Currently it is off the public bus route so you will have to take a taxi.


⑤Tjibaou Cultural Centre

Tjibaou Cultural Centre

Centre culturel Tjibaou

Time required: 2h

Admission fee: 1,000 xpf

Opening hour: 9 am – 5 pm
(until 4 pm on Sunday)

Close: Monday, public holidays

This is a cultural center with a distinctive appearance located on the outskirts of Noumea. It is a facility that introduces the culture of the Kanak people, the indigenous people of New Caledonia, and you can see their traditional costumes and crafts. Since it is a cultural center and not a museum, the main focus is on special exhibitions rather than permanent stores. The highlight is rather the garden, where you can see things typical of the area, such as the traditional Kanak houses called Cases, mangrove forests, and niaouli trees.

Cases

Access

Currently it is off the public bus route so you will have to take a taxi.


Useful Links for Travel

Expedia

There is a lot of great hotel deals listed, and you can read comments from people from all over the world. You can also book these together with your flight.

Hotels.com

There is also a lot of hotel information here. Another great thing is that many of them offer no cancellation fees.

Booking.com

This world-famous hotel booking site has a huge number of listings, so you can find the hotel you like. If you become a member and stay many times, you can get discounts and get even better deals.


Expedia

It is a world-famous travel site. It is convenient because you can also purchase domestic air tickets.


klook

This is a convenient site where you can book tickets and tours to tourist spots around the world. Be sure to check it out as they sometimes offer discounts.


Check out the Information in New Caledonia here!


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