From pure landscapes to cultural points of interest, this island nation is stuffed with fascinating sights in every single place you look.
There are plenty of explanation why 1000’s of travellers flock to New Caledonia’s golden shores annually; the landscapes, the individuals, the tradition, the meals, and the turquoise water all mix to make a visit to this tropical vacation spot one to recollect.
But other than stress-free on seashores with sand the color of snow, what precisely is there to do? Well, we’re so glad you requested that query. From cultural actions to surroundings that’s assured to take your breath away, we’ve put collectively an inventory of the perfect issues to do in New Caledonia.
There’s no higher introduction to the native Kanak tradition than a visit to the architecturally designed Tjibaou Cultural Centre: a spot the place artwork, historical past, and data meet to teach travellers on the complexities of a tradition that dates again 1000’s of years.
Filled with exhibitions, museums, libraries, a creation centre, and a botanic backyard, you may simply spend a day wandering by means of the grounds, taking in tribal artwork together with carved rooftop spears and ritual sculptures and marvelling on the 10 buildings which can be designed to symbolize conventional Kanak huts situated within the centre’s very coronary heart.
2. Snorkel by means of the lagoon waters of Poe Beach
There could also be a lot to discover on land in New Caledonia, however when you dip beneath the glowing waves that encompass the island, there’s a complete ‘nother world simply ready so that you can journey by means of – that is apparent when you step onto the sand of Poe Beach.
Boasting a powerful 13km in size, this beautiful seaside would look proper at dwelling among the many shiny pages of a flowery journey journal, however its crowning glory is undoubtedly the vibrantly colored reef methods which can be situated simply off the shoreline.
There’s even an underwater nature path so that you can comply with when you’re snorkelling so you should not have any bother recognizing sea turtles, faculties of yellow snapper, anemone fish, and dugongs as they weave out and in of their coral houses.
VISIT POE BEACH ON OUR NEW CALEDONIA ADVENTURE TOUR
3. See the Heart of Voh from up excessive
Some issues have to be seen to be believed and the naturally formed ‘Heart of Voh’ is a kind of rarities. Naturally fashioned within the form of a coronary heart over tons of of years, this romantic attraction may be considered on a helicopter or scenic flight which will even take you excessive of Mount Katepei (in case you wanted extra beautiful surroundings to take pictures of).
Take to the skies and marvel on the multicoloured blue of the water beneath you, the expanse of reef with its coral methods, the numerous inhabited islands you’ve had the pleasure of exploring, and naturally, the heart-shaped mangrove – we now have little doubt it’ll be love at first sight.
4. Explore the Blue River National Park
The complete of New Caledonia is a pure playground however the Blue River National Park is one thing else totally. Aiming to convey environmental consciousness to the forefront of the minds of those that go to, this park spans a staggering 9045 hectares of lush vegetation and pure options such because the Blue River and the drowned forest.
This forest wouldn’t look misplaced on the set of a movie with its white tree trunks piercing the nonetheless water’s floor. Look on from the shore or hire a canoe and zigzag by means of the eerie trunks to get nearer to the enchanting scene no picture will ever do justice.
From placing collectively a picnic and sitting right down to lunch among the many wilderness to climbing one in every of a number of trails all with an epic view on the finish of them, a day spent on the Blue River National Park is assured to be one in every of your favourites.
5. Marvel on the Grotte de la Hortense
As it occurs, the perfect points of interest are at all times these which can be naturally fashioned and the Grotte de la Hortense isn’t any exception. Said to be the hiding spot for the spouse of a neighborhood chief throughout tribal battle in 1855, this grotto has been expertly crafted by the ocean over the centuries to create a powerful limestone cave you may simply get misplaced in (figuratively, that’s).
Once you’re inside the cave’s partitions, it’s onerous to not get caught up within the historical past of the place as your information regales you with tales of the cave’s use over time – you’ll even be capable of see the sleek rock ledge the place Queen Hortense slept to stay protected from neighbouring tribes.
Only a brief drive down a sealed street, that is undoubtedly top-of-the-line issues to do in New Caledonia.