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Outdoors activities in New Caledonia

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OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES IN NEW CALEDONIA

Outdoors activities in New Caledonia

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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

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What you may see

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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

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What you may see

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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

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What you may see

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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

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What you may see

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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

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What you may see

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***

The End

***

For information, this sign corresponds to the coat of arms of New Caledonia.