Getting ready to visit New Caledonia? Then check out the must-sees and must-dos in Nouméa!
The capital of New Caledonia, Nouméa is located on the main island of Grande-Terre. It’s known for its superb beaches, its small paradise islands, its multicultural atmosphere and the sublime landscapes that populate its surroundings, both on land and underwater! A visit to Nouméa will immerse you in a superb world and atmosphere of idleness, sunshine and culinary and cultural discoveries. So what can you do in Nouméa during your stay in sunny New Caledonia? What must you see or discover?
To help you have an unforgettable trip, we’ve listed the 12 must-see things and more to visit in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia!
1. Local heritage
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Torbenbrinker
So what to do in Nouméa? To get your discovery of the city off to a good start, we recommend that you first discover the local heritage of this « little Nice ». St. Joseph’s Cathedral is a must-see in New Caledonia’s capital. Built between 1887 and 1897, the neo-Gothic colonial-style cathedral was built by penitentiaries! In fact, it was an ex-convict by the name of Labulle who drew up the plans for the religious edifice.
In addition to the cathedral, you can wander around the magnificent Place des Cocotiers, stroll through the Latin Quarter or contemplate the Bagne Administration building.
Book your guided tour of Nouméa
2. Amédée Lighthouse
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Bruno.Menetrier
To discover the famous Phare Amédée l ighthouse marking the entrance to the port, why not take an excursion to the islet of the same name? At the top of the lighthouse, a superb panorama awaits you – so don’t forget your camera! Many boat companies offer day trips to visit the building. Don’t hesitate to take a glass-bottomed boat to admire the underwater wildlife during your 30-minute trip.
3. Tjibaou Cultural Center
Photo credit: Wikipedia – JOOZLy
If you’re visiting Nouméa, the Tjibaou cultural center is a must. In this vast cultural space, which includes a museum, a media library and an auditorium, Kanak culture is given pride of place, and you can learn more about local habits and customs thanks to various exhibitions and shows!
4. Zoological and forestry park Michel Corbasson
Photo credit: Flickr – Frantz Entropie
Located in the heights of Montravel, this zoological park and botanical garden covers 34 hectares. Featuring over 130 species of animals, it’s a must-see in Nouméa! You can admire endemic species from New Caledonia, as well as from Asia-Pacific, in enclosures or open spaces laid out around 3 artificial lakes. If you want to immerse yourself in the local flora and fauna, we recommend it!
5. Aquarium des Lagons
Photo credit: Facebook – Aquarium Des Lagons Nouvelle-Calédonie
Once you’ve discovered the fauna and flora of the land, why not admire that which inhabits the seabed? TheAquarium des Lagons, perfect for families, is divided into several zones: mangrove swamps, lagoons, the deep sea and turtle basins. An exhibition area will also enable you to learn more about this underwater world.
6. Lemon Bay
Photo credit: Flickr – Benoît Deniaud
Baie des Citrons isn’t just a great place to stay in Nouméa. It’s also home to one of the city’s most beautiful beaches: Baie des Citrons. With its white sands and transparent waters, it’s the perfect place to relax or take a dip! At night, it comes alive and becomes a party place where locals and tourists meet.
7. Diving
Photo credit: Flickr – Fil NC_KITE
What to do in Nouméa? Diving, of course! Admiring the flora and fauna in an aquarium is great fun, but seeing them in their natural environment is even better. So whether you’re a beginner or not, don’t hesitate to devote a day to discovering the seabed. There are some exceptional dive sites around Nouméa, such asÎlot Signal!
8. Duck Island
Photo credit: Facebook – Île aux Canards
It’s simply impossible to visit Nouméa without visitingÎle aux Canards! It’s an emblematic and essential part of the New Caledonian capital. Facing the bay of Anse Vata, it’s a dream place to relax, soak up the sun and enjoy the beach.
It’s also a perfect spot for snorkeling: an underwater trail has even been laid out to discover the flora and fauna of this Caledonian lagoon! The island is easily accessible by water cab, and you can enjoy a lovely day out on this beautiful island in Nouméa.
9. Ouen Toro Hill
Photo credit: Flickr – Stephan Roletto
What to do in Nouméa during your stay? Located at the southernmost tip of the Nouméa peninsula, the Ouen Toro hill offers a superb view of the city and Sainte-Marie Bay to the southeast. You can also admire the Australian army cannons, a relic of the Second World War.
10. An excursion to the Deep South
Photo credit: Flickr – david takes photos
The Grand Sud is a must-see if you’re planning to visit Nouméa! Exceptional landscapes await you all around the capital. In particular, an excursion to the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue is a superb idea: fantastic hiking and biking trails await you amidst magnificent New Caledonian landscapes, as well as a magnificent panorama of Lac de Yaté – a natural wonder of the region.
Further south, you can also discover the Plum fountain at the top of a pass, or the picturesque village of Prony!
11. A boat trip
Photo credit: Shutterstock – maloff
To make the most of your stay in New Caledonia, what could be better than a boat trip?
In fact, renting a boat allows you to sail the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island while enjoying the dream beaches nestled in a heavenly setting.
And having your own small boat gives you the choice of stopping wherever you like to explore the island’s rich seabed. An unforgettable experience for all the family and friends!
12. Local gastronomy
Photo credit: Flickr – samtup40
Still wondering what to do in Nouméa? Discovering typical dishes is probably one of the best things you can do, especially after a long day of discovering, walking or swimming! Bougna is an emblematic dish, sometimes considered the national dish, made with fish or meat, accompanied by coconut milk, sweet potatoes, yams and taros.
How to get to Nouméa
To visit Nouméa, take to the skies. Nouméa-La Tontouta International Airport is served by several French and Oceanian airlines, offering flights with at least one stopover: from Paris, for example, allow around 20 hours for your journey. Whatever your departure city, our partner Ulysse offers you the best flight deals available.
Once you’re in Nouméa, you’ll want to take advantage of the « soft mobility » offered by the city, i.e. cycling or walking. Alternatively, the city has its own bus network. To visit Nouméa’s surroundings, we recommend renting a car: having your own vehicle for this type of excursion will give you greater freedom of movement.
Good to know: To facilitate travel, the Syndicat mixte des transports urbains du Grand Nouméa (SMTU) is studying the feasibility of a new project to introduce maritime shuttles between Moselle Bay and Le Vallon-Dore.
Where to stay in Nouméa
If you’d like to visit Nouméa, the New Caledonian capital offers a wide choice of accommodation. From the city center to the superb pied-à-terre that surrounds it, such as Anse Vata or Baie des Citrons, the hotel offer in Nouméa’s neighborhoods suits all budgets, from the smallest to the most comfortable. From hotel comparisons to Airbnb, don’t hesitate to take a look at the different accommodation platforms to find what you’re looking for.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Nouméa,fr