Active vacation in New Caledonia - things to do, entertainment and nightlife

New Caledonia is a perfect destination for active recreation. The islands feature wooden massifs and deserted areas, hills and lakes, caves and kilometers of fabulous lagoons, and minimal temperature fluctuations. Add here constant warm weather, numerous rivers, and absence of mosquitos and snakes, and New Caledonia sounds like an ideal vacation destination. Local people developed infrastructure for tourists and interesting travel routes – modern vacationers pay much attention to such activities. In the valley of Dumbea River, which is a natural reserve, tourists can try kayaking and book individual or group excursions. Not far from Bourail, a town approximately 150 kilometers away from the capital, there are numerous ranchos where tourists can try horseback riding. The nearby beaches are protected areas because sea turtles lay their eggs there.

The west coast of the biggest island in New Caledonia, Grande Terre, is almost completely separated from the ocean by coral reefs. This area looks completely marvelous – a transparent, turquoise strip of water along the coast and the dark and endless ocean behind the reef. From time to time, there are blue-colored coastal waters. These are bays that are suitable for yacht docking. The reefs form a lagoon that is an excellent destination for scuba diving.

Having rented a car, you will not be limited by fixed schedule buses and trains and will be able to stay at the place of your choice as long as you like. When exploring Grande Terre, don’t forget to visit local roadside shops to buy local fruits. Grapefruits and bananas are very sweet in New Caledonia and taste absolutely incredible. The big island is also rich in natural landmarks. For example, there are many beautiful caves. There are many interesting caves to the south of the Noumea region and until the city of Koumac in the north. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Lifou Island is also an exciting place to explore. Tourists can get to this island independently or book a tour and visit it together with other vacationers and listen to a romantic legend about the formation of tiny islands in the coastal waters. However, the scientific explanation is quite ordinary – the ocean level decreased and vegetation appeared on some small plots of land. The coastal area looks really picturesque – numerous tiny oases in the endless expanse of the ocean. Needless to say, this is a true paradise for divers and scuba divers. Transparent water and bright colors of tropical latitudes unleash the true beauty of the underwater world. There are no dangerous currents because lagoons are separated by coral reefs from the rest of the ocean. There are many beaches including wild ones where vacationers can enjoy privacy and true tranquility.

Anse Vata Beach is located to the south of the capital. This is a beach with white sand that is very popular with windsurfers and kite surfers. While staying in Noumea, consider exploring the pristine nature of the region during a hiking tour on GR1. This track is an excellent destination for everyone who wants to explore picturesque hills above spectacular lakes and valleys. When reaching the top of a hill, you will see mesmerizing landscapes and the endless horizon where the ocean and sky become one. There are many interesting hiking trails of different length on Grande Terre. The vast majority of them end in towns and smaller settlements. Local people, Melanesians, are very hospitable. Tourists can even rent a room in their houses for one-two nights. In this case, many locals offer interesting personalized excursions to areas that only locals know.

In order to feel the atmosphere of the tropical capital, move to different parts of the city using public buses. That being said, a taxi or rented car is much more convenient when moving between different cities. It is harder to find a taxi on smaller islands. Moreover, taxi drivers may not agree to drive to some remote area. For example, vacationers need to rent a car in order to explore Isle of Pines (Ile Des Pins) because taxis are rare and taxi drivers do not always agree to take travelers to the places they want to visit. As a rule, it is not possible to book or rent anything right away in New Caledonia. This applies to hotel rooms and airplane tickets, so better make all preparations in advance. There are many websites that allow car rental in different countries of the world, so rent a car in advance as well. The airplane is the best way to get to the island because the ferry arrives in the Isle of Pines only once a week. This island is not a cheap place to stay. Isle of Pines has the status of a VIP resort that is very popular with newlyweds from different countries. There are no mosquitos and other bloodsucking insects, no snakes, no spiders – a true paradise.

Local vegetation is lush and bright. Palm trees and ferns, orchids and giant Norfolk pines coexist peacefully. The latter are like giant pyramids that rise above other trees. Coastal waters are turquoise and are so bright that it looks like they are painted. Local sand is so soft that it feels like cotton wool at the touch. In Baje de St. Joseph, tourists can book pirogue riding tours. Gadji Lagoon is an amazing destination for diving. Professional coaches and water transparency of up to 40 meters make this destination a popular dive site. Vacationers with PADI certificate can dive alone.