Sailing New Caledonia - Noumea & Surrounds

In the June AHOY, we cruised the SW coast of Grande Terre from Noumea northwest to where the lagoon meets the shore at Ouemo. This month we'll look at Noumea and the very popular close-by weekend cruising grounds.

Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, features a multicultural society with access to supplies and services, inward & outward clearance & offers something for everyone with sports enthusiasts well catered for, all kinds of social activities, entertainment, beaches, walks, museums and sights.

Take in the atmosphere enjoy a coffee and a croissant while doing some people watching at the Noumea Markets before provisioning and heading off to explore the lagoon.

Then there is "The Weekend Fleet Zone" A couple of hours of lagoon cruising from Noumea attracting a flotilla of local yachts on weekends and holidays; Marine Parks with moorings, camping, a photographers paradise on healthy coral reefs, lovely beaches, windsurfing, surfing, diving, snorkelling, historical sights.

The "Weekend Fleet Zone"

Image Credit Rocket Cruising Guide To New Caledonia

Ilot Maitre is just three nautical miles from the entrance to Noumea Harbour with Ilot Amedee located 12 nautical Miles to the south of Noumea.

Image Credit Rocket Cruising Guide To New Caledonia

Both are Marine & Land Reserves with some tourism oriented development such as the resort on Ilot Maitre and the historical lighthouse on Amedee which is a must visit.

Image Credit Rocket Cruising Guide To New Caledonia

The Amedee lighthouse is indeed a unique attraction and one of the tallest lighthouses in the world in the world's largest lagoon

Image Credit Down Under Rally

Continue reading this article in the July 2022 issue of Ahoy Sailing News.