Part French Riviera, part tropical paradise, New Caledonia is a land like no other. Here, white beaches, turquoise waters and mountain rainforests are contrasted against a fragrant language and gourmet French and island cuisine.
New Caledonia is surrounded by the New Caledonian Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Inside this reef system lies an enormous lagoon — the New Caledonia Lagoon. It stretches for more than 24,000 km², making it the world’s largest lagoon, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join a sailing trip to spot turtles, snorkel reefs and visit islets like Îlot Canard and Amédée Island.
New Caledonia is a snorkelling and diver’s paradise because it is home to the second-largest coral reef and a UNESCO Heritage-listed lagoon
There are countless opportunities to discover the beauty of the country’s coral, animals and more with either a snorkel or advanced rent diving tour for the ultimate thrill. You can explore reefs, caves and shipwrecks as well as drop-offs, drift diving and night dives for more experienced divers. Lucky divers and snorkellers will see turtles, dugongs, nautili, manta rays, sunfish and thousands of varieties of tropical fish and corals. New Caledonia has several well-marked underwater trails. These guided reef trails introduce kids to marine life in safe, shallow waters.
In New Caledonia, reef-fringed adventures unfold beneath rainforest peaks and seaside promenades. Whether your family prefers splashing in the lagoon, wandering vibrant markets or learning to dance the pilou, New Caledonia Voyages can curate an itinerary including accommodation and tours that feels personal and well-paced, tailoring every itinerary for travellers to experience New Caledonia in a way that feels authentic.
Enjoy the laid-back, waterfront lifestyle of Nouméa, teeming with French restaurants, cafes, bars and marinas. The weekly carnival held on Thursday evenings at Place des Cocotiers draws hundreds of people to the city square looking to enjoy food, arts, music and entertainment.
Start your day with a buttery pastry from a boulangerie before diving into Nouméa’s Port Moselle Market, where tropical fruit, local seafood and vanilla-scented air set the scene. Kids can explore Kanak customs at the jawdropping Tjibaou Cultural Centre, learn to make bougna, the island’s traditional feast-in-a-leaf, or visit remote villages where stories, smiles and dances are passed down through generations.
Offshore from Anse Vata and reached by water taxi from Nouméa, this small island playground has snorkelling equipment, deck chairs and umbrellas available for hire. There is also an “underwater walkway” where snorkellers can follow interpretive signs through the marine life.
One of New Caledonia’s ‘must-do’ day trips on the barrier reef, about 45 minutes by fast cruiser, this tiny islet is dominated by its lighthouse which dates back to 1865 and was constructed in Paris and sent to New Caledonia by order of Napoleon. Enjoy its white beaches, excellent snorkelling, swaying palms and castaway atmosphere. The day excursion includes lunch and cultural entertainment, plus there is an optional expedition to the barrier reef for shark and turtle spotting.
Hop on the The Tchou Tchou Train for a guided tour of Noumea filled with music, history and fun. The tour, departing at 10am, takes riders to Ouen Toro lookout point, past colonial houses and to Coconut Square for a fun day out.
Vivid turquoise waters, wild orchids and ancient trees have earned the Isle of Pines its title as the Jewel of the Pacific. Its combination of volcanic geology and uplifted coral reef create a prehistoric landscape, capped off by the island’s araucaria pines, which encircle the bays and inlets. Kids can wade in Oro Bay’s calm, natural pool framed by stunning cliffs.
Kids can explore Kanak customs at the jawdropping Tjibaou Cultural Centre. Learn about New Caledonia’s history, the Centre’s architecture and the unique local flora and hear Kanak myths and legends. Kids can learn to make bougna, the island’s traditional feast-in-a-leaf. There is also a gift shop selling handicrafts, clothing, books and magazines.
Sentier de la Rivière Bleue, also known as Blue River Park isan hour from Nouméa. This park is a favourite destination for nature lovers who come for its waterfalls, bushwalks and swimming holes, river kayaking and rainforests. The 9,000-hectare park features 18 well-marked hiking trails, six mountain biking routes and kayaking through a mystical drowned forest. It is also the habitat for many endemic species, including the endangered cagou, which is an iconic bird of New Caledonia.
Zipline across the lush forests is a great thing to do in New Caledonia with kids. Leap through Mont Mou forest in Païta on a course of ziplines and rope bridges with La Belle Verte Canopy Tours.
Traditional outrigger sailboats known as pirogues ply the turquoise waters of the Isle of Pines. Their timber construction and inverted triangle sails make for a romantic journey among the palms, pines and rock outcrops.
Imagine your family trotting through sundappled forests and along powdery white beaches on the Isle of Pines on horseback. The Isle of Pines welcomes beginners and kids on gentle horseback rides that offer a peaceful way to soak in the island’s untouched beauty. Afterwards, enjoy a picnic by the turquoise waters surrounded by stunning natural scenery
In an unusual landscape of shrublands, marshes, waterholes and ancient flora, the Madeleine Falls provide a home to New Caledonia’s cork wood tree, a rare conifer that grows in water. The falls are 75km east of Noumea and are reached via a series of walking tracks through surrounding bushland.
Framed by mountains and rainforest slopes, the district of Dumbea sits in a picturesque valley 15 minutes outside Noumea. Parks around the Dumbea River and dam offer a chance to bushwalk, while canoe and kayak operators escort groups along the river’s clear, languid waters.
Rising 1,061m above Dumbea, Mont Koghi offers superb views over Noumea and the New Caledonia lagoon. Its peaks and ridges are draped in mists and rainforests, offering a respite from the subtropical heat and an opportunity to enjoy forest trails, cascades and swimming holes. The Auberge du Mont Koghi offers a chance to stay in simple cabins in the rainforest, including a tree house 15m up a giant houp tree.
For those with studious young French speakers, this island nation is also a perfect getaway choice. Many parents enrol older kids (and possibly themselves) in intensive – and fun – language courses during the days, such as the ones run by CREIPAC, making it not only a holiday, but educational, too.
Get your blood pumping as you begin your trekking adventure to Mont-Dore in the Great South. The golden mountain provides exquisite views over Noumea with its ranges stretching to 800-metres above sea level.
Bring out your adventurous side as you enjoy a spot of windsurfing or kitesurfing along the cerulean waves. Also, the perfect location for some snorkelling by the pier followed by a sunset drink on the bay’s waterfront.
One of the best for families in New Caledonia. Kuendu Beach’s crystal-clear shallow waters make it the perfect place for swimming and splashing around, while the nearby marine reserve is a great place for kids to sample snorkelling.
The New Caledonian barrier reef is the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef and surrounds Grande Terre, New Caledonia’s largest island, as well as a 24,000 square kilometre lagoon. Magnificent humpback whales can be seen in the lagoon during the mating season from July to September.
A modern twist on the diving helmets of old; visitors can walk along the ocean bottom wearing a lightweight, modern breathing helmet. The expeditions allow a taste of life beneath the sea without requiring dive training and are suitable for children, with age restrictions.
New Caledonians love water sports and visitors can partake in popular pastimes such as windsurfing, kite surfing, para sailing, yachting, water skiing and wake-boarding – or perhaps just take a day cruise or hire a motorboat for the day. Resorts and visitor centres can advise on locations and operators.
You can read our complete family-friendly guide to New Caledonia here.
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