In the heart of the Pacific, near Australia, New Caledonia has several islands: Grande Terre is the largest and is home to the capital, Nouméa. The island is crossed from north to south by a mountain range whose peaks reach 1,600 meters (Mount Panié, Mé Mayoa, Mount Humboldt, Kouakoué massif). The climate is tropical with a hot and humid season, favourable to cyclones from November to April. The months of May to September are drier and sunnier: it is the best season to book a flight to New Caledonia.

Several other strings of islands surround the Grande Terre. The most important are: Art in the north, Loyalty Islands in the east, Pine Island in the south. These islands are surrounded by coral reefs and create an immense emerald green lagoon, classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. It covers 24,000 square kilometres and the surrounding coral reef is 1,600 kilometres long. Its islets with white sandy beaches lined with coconut trees on a blue sky background are true paradises on earth. This ecosystem is home to more than 2000 different species of fish in surprising costumes: brightly coloured gorgonians, striped knitwear.... So, obviously, this huge lagoon is an ideal place for lovers of boating and scuba diving. You can also admire the bottom on boats with transparent hulls and watch for whales in the bays of the southern lagoon (Lifou, Ouvéa and around Ténia islet).

A summary of the wealth of species living in these seabed with supporting explanations is visible at the Lagoons of Nouméa aquarium. During a stay in New Caledonia, you can also discover Kanak society, its culture and tribal organization. For this reason, do not miss the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa, with its modern architecture, to understand the ancestral culture of Canaque and peaceful peoples (Melanesia, Oceania). On a hill at the southern end of the Nouméa peninsula, walk to Ouen Toro, a large landscaped green area from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the bays. It was one of the US Army posts during WWII. Some canons attest to this episode.

Take a tour to the gorges of the Dumbéa where cascades and pools of natural fresh water follow one another in the middle of the forest. To see: the site of the three gorges, the Koghi mountains and the ridge path from which you will have an exceptional view of the Nouméa peninsula. To the south of Grande Terre, 60 kilometres from Nouméa, is the commune of Yaté and its natural park of the Blue River which extends over 900 hectares. Trails will allow you to admire amazing trees: gum oaks, kaori, primitive conifers or araucarias around the reservoir. This territory is characterized by the wild beauty of its landscapes, a red soil because of the minerals that it conceals and endemic species.

Nearby, stop by the magnificent Madeleine Falls and the botanical reserve which contains 168 plant species. Opposite, go to the island of Pines, famous for the beauty of its beaches Kuto and Kanuméra. The Loyalty Islands are also worth a visit. To see in Lifou: the bay and cave of Luengoni, the cliffs of Xodre and the Vanilleraie of Mucaweng. In Maré, visit the bone de la Léproserie, one of the largest drowned cavities in the world with a 50 metre well that leads to a freshwater lake. Another obligatory point of passage, on the east coast: the commune of Hienghène where majestic black limestone rocks are planted in the lagoon. The most famous are the shape of an incubator hen and a sphinx, respectively. This commune leaned with the Panié Mount abounds with cascades, like that of Tao and caves (Koulnoué). Take the Ouaième ferry to Pouébo where the Colnett waterfall is located.

Art and culture in New Caledonia
Bourail organizes in August a big agricultural and craft fair. On the menu: rodeo and grilled local beef. In Dumbéa is held the great festival of the giant Omelette, the second weekend after the paschal festival, in the park Fayard, with shows and popular animations and of course, the making of the famous giant Omelette offered to the public. In October, the Caledonian Village at Fayard Park brings together the different communities of New Caledonia and the Pacific for a representation of their cultural, artistic and craft specificities. In Boulouparis, the deer, shrimp and crayfish festival is held every year in September.

What to visit in New Caledonia
In Nouméa, you should visit the Kanak museum and the lagoon aquarium. To refresh yourself with a nature bath, go to the gorges of Dumbéa to enjoy its natural swimming pools and take the road of the crests to enjoy its panoramas.