Noumea
Diving in Noumea is ideal for beginners, training, or relaxed exploring.
Explore New Caledonia
New Caledonia, nestled in the Coral Sea between Australia and Fiji, offers divers an unmatched underwater adventure. This French collectivity, composed of a small group of islands, is renowned for its stunning lagoon, the world's largest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The crystal-clear waters boast vibrant coral reefs teeming with a diverse array of marine life. Divers can explore colorful reefs, dramatic walls, and intriguing wrecks, each site promising unique encounters with species like sharks, turtles, and a myriad of tropical fish. Diving in New Caledonia offers something for everyone, from shore dives that are perfect for beginners to thrilling boat and liveaboard experiences catering to more adventurous spirits. The Cathedrals and Prony Needle are just two of the iconic sites that showcase the breathtaking underwater landscapes. Seasonal changes bring different experiences: manta rays often grace the waters from November to April, adding an extra layer of excitement. This is a place where the blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage on land complements the vibrant marine life below, making New Caledonia a must-visit dive destination.
Power Plug Type
F, C
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX
Tipping
0-10% / Restaurant Staff / Service charges are typically added to restaurant bills, eliminating the need to tip.
Currency
XPF
Dial Code
+687
Electricity
220V / 50Hz
Time
UTC+11
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in New Caledonia
New Caledonia's waters are teeming with diverse marine life, making it a paradise for divers. The coral reefs are home to a variety of common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These colorful inhabitants can be seen year-round, providing vibrant displays amidst the corals.
Seasonally, divers may have the opportunity to observe migratory species such as humpback whales, which visit the area between July and September. Sharks, including the blacktip reef shark, are commonly spotted throughout the year, while the graceful movements of manta rays and the serene presence of sea turtles provide unforgettable encounters, especially between October and February. The chances of spotting these notable species increase in marine reserves and protected areas, where conservation efforts have fostered a thriving ecosystem.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
885 Sightings
J
60
F
37
M
75
A
63
M
49
J
85
J
106
A
65
S
75
O
90
N
66
D
114
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
674 Sightings
J
69
F
64
M
59
A
97
M
82
J
41
J
39
A
30
S
34
O
28
N
54
D
77
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
394 Sightings
J
45
F
23
M
43
A
30
M
27
J
34
J
53
A
29
S
13
O
18
N
37
D
42
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
362 Sightings
J
42
F
13
M
16
A
14
M
20
J
21
J
38
A
46
S
17
O
12
N
56
D
67
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
173 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
16
A
25
M
13
J
10
J
24
A
22
S
18
O
14
N
6
D
13
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
158 Sightings
J
16
F
14
M
14
A
26
M
19
J
12
J
17
A
9
S
5
O
1
N
11
D
14
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
154 Sightings
J
46
F
1
M
1
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
14
S
1
O
7
N
31
D
49
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark
2.2k Sightings
J
203
F
139
M
182
A
195
M
173
J
187
J
219
A
249
S
128
O
120
N
197
D
239
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
1.1k Sightings
J
117
F
45
M
91
A
83
M
62
J
83
J
90
A
113
S
66
O
81
N
99
D
132
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
630 Sightings
J
46
F
5
M
48
A
61
M
47
J
45
J
48
A
104
S
35
O
28
N
58
D
105
