Located 40 minutes away by boat from Nouméa, the Amédée Isle is mostly called “le Phare Amédée” (the Amédée lighthouse) by the Nouméans. The lighthouse, surrounded by white sand, symbolizes this place where activities are often held for tourists.
The site is exceptional, and admiring the view from the top of the lighthouse is highly recommended! After climbing the 247 cast-iron steps, you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking panorama over the beautiful turquoise water of the lagoon, the large reef, and the mountains of Grande Terre. A must!
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![a historic monument]()
The lighthouse a historic monument
Marking out the entrance of the Nouméa port through the Boulari channel, this lighthouse has a very unusual history! In 1859, the governor of New Caledonia decided to build a lighthouse on Amédée Isle, in order to make the access to the channel safer. At the time, such a construction seems impossible.
The lighthouse and beacon service recommended building a metallic construction, the plans were drawn up by Léonce Reynaud. He notably imagined the interior metallic structure separate from the exterior envelope, in order to better fight against effects of corrosion, worsened by the tropical climate. The lighthouse was completely assembled for verification, between July 1862 and June 1864, before being dismantled and transported to New Caledonia.
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![The highest metallic lighthouse in the world!]()
The highest metallic lighthouse in the world!
Inaugurated on November 15 1865, the lighthouse was originally lit with a rapeseed oil lamp. This system was replaced from 1952 to 1985 with a vaporized petrol system, before becoming electric. This tall metallic lighthouse, 56 m high, is equipped with a lantern with a range of 24.5 nautical miles (about 45 km). It is now the only remaining metallic lighthouse in France since the destruction of the almost identical Roches-Douvres lighthouse, in 1944. The Amédée lighthouse is considered the tallest of its kind in the world, along with the Lange Jaap lighthouse in Holland, inaugurated in 1822.
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![An exceptional marine reserve]()
An exceptional marine reserve
The Amédée Isle offers amazing underwater experiences. Located in the heart of a reserve protected from any type of fishing, you can observe a myriad of species, simply with a mask and snorkel. Snorkeling fans can enjoy swimming next to turtles, clown fish and other emblematic species of the Caledonian lagoon, a UNESCO heritage.
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![Polynesian atmosphere in amédée lighthouse]()
Enjoy the lagoon in a different way
The Mary D team offers a comprehensive package for their day trip. In a Polynesian atmosphere, not only can you enjoy the islet, but also taste a high-quality buffet under this impressive lighthouse and attend a wonderful Tahitian dance show. With a glass-bottom boat, you can explore the corals and the fish while keeping your feet dry.
