outdoor activities in new caledonia
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Outdoor activities in New CaledoniaTRANSCRIPT
Outdoors activities in New Caledonia
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FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN TO THE TOP OF
THE MOUNTAINS
Introduction
New Caledonia is such a beautiful place like New Zealand, Australia or French Polynesia. However
nowadays New Caledonia still remains unknown from general public. This country does not have a
strong international image as upper mentioned countries. In fact, its name does not evoke to tourists
those various and vivid connotations of nature and adventure which inspired and motivated people
to travel around the Pacific.
As a consequence, tourists do not come massively: around 100.000 a year; and tourism industry is
not much developed either. It is a situation that hopefully New Caledonia will overcome as, from a
lot of points of view; this place can compete with the most touristic countries of the Pacific area.
Indeed, New Caledonia has in terms of beauty and diversity a luxurious and preserve nature similar
to Jurassic time. Thus, you can practice diverse outdoors activities and sports in exceptional
locations. Through a presentation of some of them, this booklet has the aim to be representative of
what holidays or weekends can be in New Caledonia for Nature’s fans. In fact, the objective is to
show how ideal is this country due to its astounding resources for fun.
Thus, we will go through three themes:
Theme n° 1 : GO AQUA
Theme n° 2 : GO ADVENTURE
Theme n° 3 : GO EXTREME
Fortunately, it might give some ideas of travel or at least but not last it will participate to the
construction of a New Caledonian international image and imaginary.
For information, pictures which illustrate this file were all taken during our personal excursions.
Quick prior cultural point
James Cook discovered the island in 1774 and named it “New Caledonia” in honors of Scotland due
to similar mountains. Then, New Caledonia became French in 1853 and has nowadays a “sui generi”
legal status in the French Ve Republic. This special organization provides New Caledonia with its own
Government and Parliament which both rule the territory of the island and with a specific citizenship
aside French nationality. Nowadays, the economy mainly relies on nickel mining (30% of global
resources are in New Caledonia). This explains with mountains and foils are extremely red.
Outdoors activities in New Caledonia
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GO AQUA
Scuba-diving
What is it?
Scuba-diving is an extreme underwater sport which was popularized in the second part of the XXth
century. To be able to practice it, you should have a diploma like a Level I (20 meters deep), II (40
meters deep), III or IV in French system or a “PADI” which is worldwide recognized. If not, you can still
enjoy a short dive from 5 to 8 meters deep with an instructor as a complete beginner.
What you need?
Usually, the equipment is provided by the club which will take you on the diving
site. Thus, you should receive a wetsuit, flippers, a dive mask, an oxygen cylinder and a regulator to
be able to breathe underwater.
What may you experience?
A lot of people practice this discipline in New Caledonia as underwater world has unique and
fabulous landscapes. Besides, UNESCO recognized New Caledonia’s lagoon world heritage site in
2008. On the top of that, aquatic fauna and flora are extremely developed and colorful.
You will experience a peaceful and
impressive moment breathing underwater
and somehow flying 20 meters deep. You
should see coral reef, turtles, sharks, clown
fishes etc. If you are lucky enough, you may
see manta rays, dolphins or whales in
August and September during giving birth
season.
Finally, at “Pointe de Easo”, you can go
under rocks where sunrays make caves look
like an old medieval church. Just amazing.
WHERE YOU MUST GO « Pointe de
Easo »
LEVEL : DIFFICULT
BUDGET : 90 euros
Outdoors activities in New Caledonia
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GO AQUA
Snorkeling
What is it?
Snorkeling is another way to enjoy New Caledonian lagoon. It is famous as it is much cheaper and
easier than scuba diving. Snorkeling can be done anywhere in New Caledonia without required
qualifications. Even if you just stay near the coast, you will see as many things as a scuba-diver.
Despite that, it is recommended to pay attention to meteorological conditions, tides and to the
specificities of the site you want to explore. You might find as well two or three underwater tracks
around New Caledonia with submarine indications about fishes or corals.
What you need?
Your equipment is quite simple if you want to experience snorkeling.
Basically, you will need a mask with a tuba in order to breathe normally at surface. You will need as
well some flippers to not get tired too quickly and to be able to swim with more strength if you
encounter streams.
What you will see is so beautiful that it is
recommended to bring a submarine camera or
even a GoPro which fits perfectly as well.
What may you experience?
As scuba diving, snorkeling will bring you to astounding places. You will enjoy the view of colorful
corals for kilometers. Just for the record, New Caledonia is surrounded by a double-barrier coral reef
which is the second longest in world just
after Australia’s great barrier.
The main difficulty of snorkeling is just to
learn how to breathe with a tuba. You will
have to be calm and confident. The first
time you try might be difficult as it is not
exactly a natural way of breathing. Yet,
once you would master how to, your trips
would last longer and you will have more
chance to discover the multiplicity of New
Caledonian natural treasure.
« Tombant
de Yaté »
WHERE YOU MUST GO
BUDGET: 0 to 10 Euros (for underwater tracks)
LEVEL : EASY
Outdoors activities in New Caledonia
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GO ADVENTURE
Jet skiing What is it?
Jet skiing is a motorized sport you can practice on water near coasts if you are over eighteen. Driving
a jet ski is easy and similar to driving a scooter. You control the speed of the engine with your right
hand and there are no breaks. However, it is a very powerful engine and as a consequence it can be
dangerous. The fastest ones can go up to 100 km/per hour when the sea is very calm. Thus, it is
strongly recommended to follow all security instructions.
What you need?
If you live in New Caledonia, you might have your own jet ski.
The equipment needed in that case is quite important as you have to take care of the engine, drive it
to a storage etc.
On vacation, you will only need glasses to prevent you from
salted waves, a swim suit and/or a very good sun cream to
protect you from the sun.
What may you experience?
Jet skiing gives you a incredible sensation of freedom probably due to the speed, the possibility to
explore unaccessible coasts or islands and the magnificence of the ocean.
You can practice it in a sportive way by
taking waves, racing or doing some
wakeboarding: it is another aquatic activity
you can practice when waves are not too
strong. In fact, the jet ski will tow you until
you reach the strength to get up on the
water. Nevertheless, this sport is difficult so
you must be in good health conditions and
not to fear about aches the next day.
You can as well enjoy it to explore the
lagoon. It is quite common to see dugongs and turtles in these conditions. Besides, you will be able to
reach amazingly blue water or desert beaches to have a swim on your own.
WHERE YOU MUST GO
BUDGET: 50 Euros / 2 hours
LEVEL : MODERATE
Ilot Bailly –
Mont Dore
Outdoors activities in New Caledonia
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GO ADVENTURE
Mountain biking
What is it?
Mountain biking is a faster way than hiking to discover New Caledonia’s bush. It is similar to regular
cycling. However, you will use a mountain bike with bigger wheels and suspensions. It will allow you
to go off-road on any type of rough tracks. Thus, you would be able to bike through rivers or on the
top of small canyons. In fact, you can go anywhere yours legs allow you to go.
What you need?
You will need a mountain bike, which you can rent, shoes and a helmet for security. Besides, you will
definitely need a swim suit as you will frequently find some rivers or waterfalls where you can rest
and swim during your trip.
It is recommended as well to carry one and a
half liter of water per person for a 20 to 30
km trip.
What may you experience?
There are a few cycling tracks that you can enjoy to discover New Caledonian biodiversity. Indeed
you would see amazing terrestrial fauna and flora like orchids which are endemic as 80% of New
Caledonian flora.
Besides, you would cycle on the particular
red soil of New Caledonia which is typical of
the south island area.
You can as well follow tracks through
ancient rain forests where tree ferns grow.
Another great experience is to enjoy a 360°
view of the country side seeing East and
West coasts at the same time. In fact, New
Caledonia is only 50 km large on 400 km
long for main island.
BUDGET: 30 Euros / half day
LEVEL : EASY
Netcha
WHERE YOU MUST GO
Outdoors activities in New Caledonia
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GO EXTREME
Sky Diving
What is it?
Skydiving is an extreme sport. For beginners, you would be tight to a skydiving instructor in order to
jump from a plane from 3000 to 10.000 feet. Thus, you will have more or less 45 seconds of tandem
freefall. Then, your instructor will open a parachute to low down your descent until you reach earth.
New Caledonia is one of the greatest places to practice this sport as you can enjoy the landscape, the
ocean and the mangrove during your jump. Besides, New Caledonia is famous for its sky’s views
thanks to Yann Arthus Bertrand.
What you need?
You will need a jumper as it might be cool at 3000 feet and glasses
to be able to see properly around you. You will not be allow to take a camera with you for security
reasons. Nevertheless, for extra charges, your instructor can record a video of your jump.
What may you experience?
Skydiving will give you an adrenaline shot. It is a extremely impressive experience from the beginning
to the end.
The plane you are jumping from is open on
both sides. Thus, you already see during
the flight how the soil is getting smaller and
smaller.
Then, you have to sit and take your jump
outside the plane. You might be speechless
and breathless. For your first experience,
you might be more obessed by the earth
getting closer than suroundings.
It is a unique experience.
WHERE YOU MUST GO
BUDGET: 450 Euros / jump
LEVEL : MODERATE