last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in New Caledonia
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Location Map of New Caledonia
New Caledonia
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UNESCO World Heritage Site
New Caledonia has one site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site:
New Caledonia Lagoons (2008)
This UNESCO-listed coral lagoon system is one of the largest in the world. Divided into six distinct sectors, it spans the coasts of a vast portion of the territory. Naturally, it’s a diver’s paradise, offering a chance to discover incredibly diverse marine fauna and flora.
This UNESCO-listed coral lagoon system is one of the largest in the world. Divided into six distinct sectors, it spans the coasts of a vast portion of the territory. Naturally, it’s a diver’s paradise, offering a chance to discover incredibly diverse marine fauna and flora.
Grande Terre
Bourail
A small town on the west coast, nestled between the sea and mountains, particularly popular for surfing and diving. The surrounding lagoon is part of the UNESCO-listed sites.
A small town on the west coast, nestled between the sea and mountains, particularly popular for surfing and diving. The surrounding lagoon is part of the UNESCO-listed sites.
Dumbéa
A large municipality on the outskirts of Nouméa. You can go canyoning, canoeing, and hiking in the nearby Dumbéa River valley.
A large municipality on the outskirts of Nouméa. You can go canyoning, canoeing, and hiking in the nearby Dumbéa River valley.
Hienghène
In the northeast of the island. A fairly touristy area, the commune is known for its beautiful landscapes with limestone cliffs and waterfalls flowing into the sea. You can hike or canoe in the surrounding area. It’s also the starting point for the Corniche Road.
In the northeast of the island. A fairly touristy area, the commune is known for its beautiful landscapes with limestone cliffs and waterfalls flowing into the sea. You can hike or canoe in the surrounding area. It’s also the starting point for the Corniche Road.
Koné
It's the "capital" of the northern province. It's surrounded by quite beautiful landscapes where you can hike, especially on horseback.
It's the "capital" of the northern province. It's surrounded by quite beautiful landscapes where you can hike, especially on horseback.
Koumac
It's a large coastal town at the far north of the island, where Kanak and bush cultures blend. You can go diving or hiking in the surrounding area.
It's a large coastal town at the far north of the island, where Kanak and bush cultures blend. You can go diving or hiking in the surrounding area.
Nouméa
The capital and largest urban area of New Caledonia. It features some beautiful colonial buildings, several museums, and above all, beaches with opportunities for water activities. Whales can also be spotted offshore between July and September.
The capital and largest urban area of New Caledonia. It features some beautiful colonial buildings, several museums, and above all, beaches with opportunities for water activities. Whales can also be spotted offshore between July and September.
Ouégoa
It's a rural seaside village with beautiful beaches, located at the northern tip of the island. It's also a former mining area where you can visit several abandoned mines and a few caves.
It's a rural seaside village with beautiful beaches, located at the northern tip of the island. It's also a former mining area where you can visit several abandoned mines and a few caves.
Poindimié
A Kanak locality on the northeast coast, surrounded by beautiful valleys perfect for hiking. The lagoon facing the town, where you can dive, is one of those classified by UNESCO for the quality of its marine life.
A Kanak locality on the northeast coast, surrounded by beautiful valleys perfect for hiking. The lagoon facing the town, where you can dive, is one of those classified by UNESCO for the quality of its marine life.
Poum
The last Kanak village in the northern tip of New Caledonia is surrounded by beautiful beaches and a stunning UNESCO-listed lagoon.
The last Kanak village in the northern tip of New Caledonia is surrounded by beautiful beaches and a stunning UNESCO-listed lagoon.
Thio
This large Kanak village on the east coast has some beautiful colonial buildings and a mining museum. The surrounding area also features lovely beaches and petroglyphs.
This large Kanak village on the east coast has some beautiful colonial buildings and a mining museum. The surrounding area also features lovely beaches and petroglyphs.
Yaté
A small Kanak coastal commune in the southeast of the island, with beautiful beaches. It sits against Lake Yaté and the Blue River Park, offering stunning landscapes and trekking opportunities.
A small Kanak coastal commune in the southeast of the island, with beautiful beaches. It sits against Lake Yaté and the Blue River Park, offering stunning landscapes and trekking opportunities.
Natural Heritage
New Caledonia Lagoons
This UNESCO-listed coral lagoon system is one of the largest in the world. Divided into six distinct sectors, it spans the coasts of a vast portion of the territory. Naturally, it’s a diver’s paradise, offering a chance to discover incredibly diverse marine fauna and flora.
This UNESCO-listed coral lagoon system is one of the largest in the world. Divided into six distinct sectors, it spans the coasts of a vast portion of the territory. Naturally, it’s a diver’s paradise, offering a chance to discover incredibly diverse marine fauna and flora.
Central Range Massif
This mountain range, which does not exceed 1,700 m, runs the entire length of Grande Terre. It is a mining area that locally offers opportunities for hiking or canyoning.
This mountain range, which does not exceed 1,700 m, runs the entire length of Grande Terre. It is a mining area that locally offers opportunities for hiking or canyoning.
Blue River Park
Just a few kilometres northeast of Nouméa, this park overlooking Lake Yaté (fishing and kayaking) is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts (GRNC1), with its stunning mountainous landscapes and waterfalls.
Just a few kilometres northeast of Nouméa, this park overlooking Lake Yaté (fishing and kayaking) is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts (GRNC1), with its stunning mountainous landscapes and waterfalls.
Corniche Road
Between Hienghène and Pouébo, on the northeast coast of Grande Terre, the road passes through stunning landscapes.
Between Hienghène and Pouébo, on the northeast coast of Grande Terre, the road passes through stunning landscapes.
Dumbéa Valley
You can go hiking, canyoning, and canoeing on this river, which flows into the sea near the town of the same name, not far from Nouméa.
You can go hiking, canyoning, and canoeing on this river, which flows into the sea near the town of the same name, not far from Nouméa.
Loyalty Islands
Lifou Island
The main and most populated island of the Loyalty Islands. This cruise ship stopover is loved for its beautiful landscapes, cliffs, stunning white-sand beaches, and opportunities for diving or hiking.
The main and most populated island of the Loyalty Islands. This cruise ship stopover is loved for its beautiful landscapes, cliffs, stunning white-sand beaches, and opportunities for diving or hiking.
Maré Island
The second-largest island in the archipelago, with beaches, forests, and beautiful low cliffs shaping its coastline. Though it sees relatively few visitors, it’s just as stunning as the rest of the Loyalty Islands.
The second-largest island in the archipelago, with beaches, forests, and beautiful low cliffs shaping its coastline. Though it sees relatively few visitors, it’s just as stunning as the rest of the Loyalty Islands.
Ouvéa Island
One of the most beautiful atolls in the Pacific, with its postcard-perfect beaches. Ideal for diving and relaxation.
One of the most beautiful atolls in the Pacific, with its postcard-perfect beaches. Ideal for diving and relaxation.
Tiga Island
Neighboring Lifou, to which it is attached, this 10 km² island is home to a small Kanak community.
Neighboring Lifou, to which it is attached, this 10 km² island is home to a small Kanak community.
Other Islands
Belep Archipelago
Small northern archipelago, sparsely populated by fishermen and not at all touristy.
Small northern archipelago, sparsely populated by fishermen and not at all touristy.
Chesterfield Islands
Uninhabited islets with birds, turtles, and beautiful beaches, all located over 500 km north of Grande Terre. Access is only possible by sailboat.
Uninhabited islets with birds, turtles, and beautiful beaches, all located over 500 km north of Grande Terre. Access is only possible by sailboat.
Isle of Pines
Southeast of Grande Terre, this small, heavily visited island of 2,000 inhabitants boasts stunning paradise-like beaches that have attracted several hotel complexes. It is also home to the remains of a penal colony in the commune of Ouro, as well as several caves.
Southeast of Grande Terre, this small, heavily visited island of 2,000 inhabitants boasts stunning paradise-like beaches that have attracted several hotel complexes. It is also home to the remains of a penal colony in the commune of Ouro, as well as several caves.
Must-see & highly recommended
New Caledonia Lagoons
★★★★ This UNESCO-listed coral lagoon system is one of the largest in the world. Divided into six distinct sectors, it spans the coasts of a vast…
Recommended
Ouvéa Island
★★★ One of the most beautiful atolls in the Pacific, with its postcard-perfect beaches. Ideal for diving and relaxation.
Lifou Island
★★★ The main and most populated island of the Loyalty Islands. This cruise ship stopover is loved for its beautiful landscapes, cliffs…
Maré Island
★★★ The second-largest island in the archipelago, with beaches, forests, and beautiful low cliffs shaping its coastline. Though it sees…
Isle of Pines
★★★ Southeast of Grande Terre, this small, heavily visited island of 2,000 inhabitants boasts stunning paradise-like beaches that have…
Blue River Park
★★★ Just a few kilometres northeast of Nouméa, this park overlooking Lake Yaté (fishing and kayaking) is a must-visit for hiking enthusiasts…
Worth a look / Other
Bourail
★★ A small town on the west coast, nestled between the sea and mountains, particularly popular for surfing and diving. The surrounding lagoon…
Hienghène
★★ In the northeast of the island. A fairly touristy area, the commune is known for its beautiful landscapes with limestone cliffs and…
Central Range Massif
★★ This mountain range, which does not exceed 1,700 m, runs the entire length of Grande Terre. It is a mining area that locally offers…
Nouméa
★★ The capital and largest urban area of New Caledonia. It features some beautiful colonial buildings, several museums, and above all, beaches…
Ouégoa
★★ It's a rural seaside village with beautiful beaches, located at the northern tip of the island. It's also a former mining area where you…
Poindimié
★★ A Kanak locality on the northeast coast, surrounded by beautiful valleys perfect for hiking. The lagoon facing the town, where you can…
Poum
★★ The last Kanak village in the northern tip of New Caledonia is surrounded by beautiful beaches and a stunning UNESCO-listed lagoon.
Corniche Road
★★ Between Hienghène and Pouébo, on the northeast coast of Grande Terre, the road passes through stunning landscapes.
Thio
★★ This large Kanak village on the east coast has some beautiful colonial buildings and a mining museum. The surrounding area also features…
Yaté
★★ A small Kanak coastal commune in the southeast of the island, with beautiful beaches. It sits against Lake Yaté and the Blue River Park…
Belep Archipelago
★ Small northern archipelago, sparsely populated by fishermen and not at all touristy.
Dumbéa
★ A large municipality on the outskirts of Nouméa. You can go canyoning, canoeing, and hiking in the nearby Dumbéa River valley.
Houaïlou
★ A large Kanak village on the east coast, midway between the north and south of the island.
Tiga Island
★ Neighboring Lifou, to which it is attached, this 10 km² island is home to a small Kanak community.
Chesterfield Islands
★ Uninhabited islets with birds, turtles, and beautiful beaches, all located over 500 km north of Grande Terre. Access is only possible by…
Koné
★ It's the "capital" of the northern province. It's surrounded by quite beautiful landscapes where you can hike, especially on horseback.
Koumac
★ It's a large coastal town at the far north of the island, where Kanak and bush cultures blend. You can go diving or hiking in the…
Mont-Dore
★ It is the second-largest city in New Caledonia, on the outskirts of Nouméa.
Dumbéa Valley
★ You can go hiking, canyoning, and canoeing on this river, which flows into the sea near the town of the same name, not far from Nouméa.