7 Great Day Trips from Nouméa

Amedee Island

How do you get to Amedee Island?

Ferry services from Nouméa to Amedee Island are available five days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday), with all fares including the return journey back to Nouméa. Only taking around 30 to 40 minutes to reach the island from Nouméa, it’s a great choice for a day out and about.

What is there to do on Amedee Island?

Although Amedee Island may be relatively small in size, there certainly isn’t a shortage of things to see and do across the island. Take advantage of its position within New Caledonia’s famed lagoon with a touch of swimming or snorkelling, or by trying your hand at stand-up paddleboarding. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and pure white sands, it’s the perfect backdrop for a taste of the region’s incredible natural beauty. After drying off, take some time to visit the iconic Amedee Lighthouse or make the most of the opportunity to send a postcard from the world’s smallest post office. Enjoy a delicious buffet meal by the beach and the entertainment provided by the Mary D team, from dancing shows to sarong tying and coconut tree climbing demonstrations.

Blue River Provincial Park

How do you get to Blue River Provincial Park?

If you’re wanting to explore Blue River Provincial Park at your own pace, it may be easier for you to hire a car and make the drive from Nouméa. Coming in at around 1½ hours each way, the trip is the perfect length for a day out. Some tours do operate within the park, allowing you to see some of its best sights, but these do come at a cost.

What is there to do in Blue River Provincial Park?

Founded in 1980, the Blue River Provincial Park covers an incredible 9,000 hectares, meaning that there certainly isn’t a shortage of great ways to spend your time. Set out on a hike through untouched wilderness, take a dip in the river, kayak between the trees of the fascinating drowned forest or enjoy all the thrills of a mountain bike ride. Keep an eye out too for the endangered cagou, a near-flightless bird native to New Caledonia that calls the area home. Home to diverse landscapes that span from striking red earth to lush rainforest and areas of thick scrub, the unique natural beauty of New Caledonia’s most popular park is sure to impress even the most seasoned of travellers.

Isle of Pines

How do you get to the Isle of Pines?

Flights from Nouméa Magenta Airport to the Isle of Pines are quite regular and take just 30 minutes one way. Ferry services are also available, operating between Nouméa and the Isle of Pines several times a week, with the journey coming in at around 2½ hours each way.

What is there to do on the Isle of Pines?

Said to be one of the closest islands to paradise, one of the Isle of Pines’ greatest drawcards is certainly its natural beauty. Pure white sands line the islands beaches and bays, clear waters offer the perfect conditions for swimming and snorkelling, and the rich local culture offers an insight into how generations have lived across the archipelago. Be sure to plan a trip to Kuto Bay, Upi Bay or Oro Bay to discover some of New Caledonia’s most beautiful coastal stretches, and definitely keep an eye out for the island’s namesake pines.

Prony Village

How do you get to Prony Village?

The journey from Nouméa to Prony Village takes just under an hour and 15 minutes each way by car. Hire a car in Nouméa and enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace.

What is there to do in Prony Village?

Perfect for history buffs and those looking to learn more about New Caledonia’s heritage, a visit to Prony Village offers a unique window into the archipelago’s past. Originally constructed as the site of a convict prison and settlement, the village was first abandoned in 1911 and again in 1968, leaving behind a mix of stone ruins and more recent structures. Wander through the historic site and imagine what life was like in the area over a hundred years ago. Be sure to visit the nearby Prony Bay for great views, diving and the chance to spot whales during their annual migration. If you feel like getting active, the Chemin des Bagnards trail, starting from Kanua Tera Ecolodge at Port Boisé, is a great choice. Covering around 4.5 km in total, the trail winds its way through lush rainforest and across rugged red earth before meeting the water’s edge. The trail can be comfortably completed in around two hours.

Bourail

How do you get to Bourail?

By car, the journey from Nouméa to Bourail takes around 2 hours one way. Coach services departing from the capital are also available, but the journey does tend to be slightly longer in duration. If you do find that you are short on time, it may be best to hire a car so you can leave plenty of time for your return to Nouméa 

What is there to do in Bourail?

Home to luxe resorts, a rich history and some spectacular scenery, it comes as no surprise that there’s no shortage of great activities to enjoy across Bourail. Tee off at the 18-hole Exclusiv Golf Deva course, soak up the region’s serenity on a hike along the breathtaking Three Bay Trail or see Bourail from a different perspective with a horse riding adventure through the Domaine de Deva nature reserve. Take a dip in the spectacular lagoon, keeping an eye out for turtles, fish, rays and other marine species, laze the day away on the soft white sands that line all 13km of Poé Beach, or get to know more about the area’s heritage with a visit to the Bourail Museum. For a special experience, pay a visit to the World Heritage listed Green Island, a beautiful little island located just a short water-taxi ride from La Roche Percée. Enjoy a spot of snorkelling within the marine reserve, keeping an eye out for the incredible green sea turtles that call the area home.

Mount Koghi

How do you get to Mount Koghi?

Mount Koghi is located just under 17km from Nouméa and can be reached by car in less than 30 minutes. If you are thinking about exploring the area, hiring a car can give you the freedom to take your time doing so.

What is there to do at Mount Koghi?

Just a short drive from Nouméa, the Mount Koghi area is home to some great walking trails and even better views. Perfect for a warm, sunny day, one trail leads you to a beautiful waterfall at the base of the mountain. Offering a refreshing reward at the end, the trail takes you through lush forest filled with tall trees and ferns, providing some incredible views of the Dumbéa plain along the way. Accessible to the whole family, the trail covers a circuit of 2km. If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, follow the Malaoui Peak trail for some great views of Nouméa and beyond. Covering a total of 6.5km, the trail, which starts from Koghis Inn, is moderately difficult and best suited to those with a good level of physical fitness. If you’re planning to tackle the trail, set aside around 2½ hours to complete the full circuit. Home to some areas of forest that have remained relatively untouched by human activity, be sure to keep an eye out for the diverse birds and animals that call Mount Koghi home.

Dumbéa

How do you get to Dumbéa?

Located around 20km from Nouméa, the car ride to Dumbéa takes just under 30 minutes in total. Situated beyond central Nouméa, one of the best ways to explore Dumbéa is by hiring a car and exploring as much or as little as you desire.

What is there to do at Dumbéa?

A little slice of paradise for those who love to step out into the great outdoors and get active, Dumbéa offers plenty of great ways to discover the region’s natural beauty. Head to Fayard Park for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing or a family picnic along the banks of Dumbéa River. Just a short drive from the archipelago’s capital, you’ll soon discover what makes the park so popular with the residents of Nouméa looking to reconnect with nature. Opened in early 2013, Dumbéa Provincial Park is also very much worth a visit. Plan a scenic hike through the park or pitch a tent for a camping experience you certainly won’t forget any time soon. Established to help protect the natural beauty of New Caledonia, you’ll find everything from native plants and animals to glittering waterways, rock formations and more.

Want to discover more of New Caledonia? Learn more about the archipelago’s World Heritage listed lagoon, incredible natural attractions and more!