Explore Noumea

Diving in Noumea, the vibrant gateway to New Caledonia, offers an extraordinary underwater experience for divers of all skill levels. Known for its warm, crystal-clear waters and rich marine biodiversity, this destination is perfect for both beginners seeking training and experienced divers desiring relaxed exploration. The typical dive experience in Noumea includes two successive boat dives, often near the stunning coral reefs and in the dynamic passes. These passes, such as Boulari, Dumbéa, Mato, Ducati, and Uitoé, are teeming with marine life including eagle rays, stingrays, Napoleon wrasse, turtles, and whitetip sharks.

Distinct seasonal features add an exciting dimension to diving in Noumea. Between January and April, manta rays glide gracefully through the waters, while from April to June, grey reef sharks make their migratory appearance. November is a spectacular time for witnessing the large concentration of loggerhead sea turtles spawning along the drop-off. For those intrigued by wreck diving, Noumea does not disappoint. Sites like the Aiguille de Prony offer unique underwater adventures with its impressive pyramid-shaped pinnacle that rises dramatically through the depths. These elements, combined with the allure of diverse dive environments, make Noumea a captivating dive destination that continues to draw divers from around the world.

Courses and Events

Open Water Instructor (Instructor Training Course ITC)

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to: • Conduct academic sessions • Lead confined water training • Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more • Develop student management and communication skills Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more. Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.
On request

Dive Activity

Diving in Noumea

Noumea, the vibrant capital of New Caledonia, offers dive enthusiasts a wealth of underwater adventures. Among its top dive sites is the "Dieppoise Wreck," a fascinating wreck dive that attracts divers with its historical allure and diverse marine life. Another must-visit site is "Amedee Lighthouse Reef", known for its rich coral gardens and the chance to spot turtles and reef sharks.

For those preferring shore dives, "Baie des Citrons" provides easy access to vibrant coral formations and schools of colorful fish. Unique underwater experiences include night dives where divers can witness nocturnal marine life behaviors, adding an extra thrill to the underwater exploration. Noumea offers a balanced mix of shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to both novice and experienced divers seeking adventure.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Noumea

Nouméa, located in New Caledonia, is renowned for its diverse marine life, making it a prime spot for divers. The coral reefs teem with a variety of vibrant fish species, including clownfish, parrotfish, and angelfish. These reef fish are commonly encountered year-round, providing a colorful spectacle for snorkelers and divers alike.

Seasonal highlights include the sighting of sharks, such as the blacktip reef shark and the occasional hammerhead, most often seen from November to March. Turtle encounters are frequent, with both green and hawksbill turtles gracing the waters. Rays, including the majestic manta ray, can be spotted in deeper waters, particularly between May and October. These experiences depend on specific dive sites, with some areas offering a higher likelihood of encounters due to their unique ecosystems.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
715 Sightings
J
48
F
31
M
60
A
49
M
38
J
67
J
85
A
53
S
59
O
74
N
50
D
101
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
647 Sightings
J
67
F
60
M
58
A
93
M
81
J
41
J
33
A
30
S
33
O
26
N
53
D
72

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
328 Sightings
J
41
F
11
M
10
A
12
M
16
J
21
J
32
A
41
S
14
O
12
N
55
D
63

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
197 Sightings
J
31
F
1
M
22
A
18
M
9
J
15
J
30
A
17
S
1
O
0
N
24
D
29

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
148 Sightings
J
46
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
10
S
1
O
7
N
31
D
49
iStock/Divepic

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
139 Sightings
J
16
F
12
M
14
A
26
M
14
J
12
J
13
A
9
S
0
O
1
N
10
D
12
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
1.9k Sightings
J
181
F
107
M
146
A
161
M
143
J
162
J
174
A
219
S
104
O
84
N
164
D
211
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
898 Sightings
J
104
F
33
M
77
A
67
M
47
J
72
J
78
A
96
S
51
O
64
N
84
D
125

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
548 Sightings
J
37
F
4
M
42
A
56
M
35
J
45
J
34
A
93
S
27
O
22
N
55
D
98
iStock-Lindsey Dougherty

Silvertip Shark
467 Sightings
J
41
F
12
M
33
A
33
M
29
J
50
J
41
A
47
S
22
O
37
N
50
D
72
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
411 Sightings
J
18
F
2
M
24
A
10
M
24
J
22
J
52
A
75
S
27
O
28
N
53
D
76

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
234 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
14
A
33
M
11
J
27
J
46
A
0
S
1
O
6
N
30
D
65

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
190 Sightings
J
12
F
2
M
3
A
9
M
2
J
21
J
14
A
62
S
0
O
5
N
27
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
172 Sightings
J
28
F
14
M
11
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
31
S
0
O
5
N
28
D
54

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
170 Sightings
J
14
F
3
M
3
A
9
M
2
J
24
J
0
A
46
S
10
O
1
N
33
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
137 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
3
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
41
A
37
S
0
O
20
N
4
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
118 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
3
A
1
M
0
J
3
J
12
A
43
S
0
O
5
N
23
D
24

The best Months to Dive in Noumea

Noumea offers year-round diving opportunities, with water temperatures ranging from 22°C–27°C/72°F–81°F. The warmest waters occur from November to March, making it a popular diving season. Visibility is generally excellent, often exceeding 20 meters/66 feet, especially in the cooler months of June to September.

Although diving is viable throughout the year, the best conditions are usually from April to November, when the weather is more stable and the trade winds are milder. From December to March, divers may encounter stronger currents and occasional cyclones, which can impact visibility and safety. Overall, Noumea provides diverse diving experiences, from coral reefs to shipwrecks, suitable for divers of all levels.

Dive Centers

IATOK DIVING PARADISE

BP 5534, 98800 nouméa, NCL

Abyss Plongée

Marina Port du Sud, 98800 NOUMEA, NCL

BLUE CALEDONIA DIVING

Marina Port du Sud, 98800 NOUMEA, NCL

Dive Sites

IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

Le Sournois (★4.5)

A reef at the edge of the lagoon, this site surely has the greatest concentration of fish in the region. Depths range from 20m to 6m, with many schools of fish as well as pelagic passages.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

La Diéppoise, wreck (★4.4)

Wreck of an anti-mine ship, then a lighthouse and beacon ship. It has the particularity of having had a wooden hull to avoid magnetic mines. Now that the wood has disappeared, all that remains of the hull are the ribs, allowing us to see inside. Sunk to a depth of 25m, it is easy to visit.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98853 NOUMEA

Forêt du Snark (★4.5)

Shallow site perfect for beginners and training. Huge, well-preserved coral reef. Possibility of seeing sharks, turtles, rays... Large sandy beach.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98853 NOUMEA

Tépava (★4.5)

Want some turtle? Here they are! This site is located along the reef of the islet Maître, in the lagoon. In shallow waters, it’s a turtle paradise.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

Toho V (Wreck) (★4.4)

The Toho V is a 55m longliner wreck sunk on purpose at 25 meters deep to make an artificial reef. It sits next to the Tabu Reef on its keel on the sandy bottom. This site has very good visibility. The wreck is totally accessible but bring a lamp. Beware of the presence of some lionfish.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98853 NOUMEA

Récif Tabu (★4.2)

Gently sloping sandy reef with a rocky drop-off on one side. It’s the perfect place to start, sheltered from the wind and chop. The wreck of the Toho 5 is below.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98800 nouméa

Mur Aux lôches (★4.5)

The mur aux loches is the inner wall of the Dumbéa pass. A straight wall that starts at 5m and ends at 25m. Lots of current that attracts pelagics. It’s a drifter.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

Passe exterieure Boulari (★4.3)

On the outside of the Boulari pass, this is an interesting site for incoming current. In this case, it’s the starting point for a drift dive of the channel.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

Passe intérieure de Boulari (★4.4)

On the inside of the Boulari pass, this site is the start point for the Boulari pass drift dive when the current is outgoing. It can also be used on a return trip.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98800 nouméa

Ever Propérity (★4.5)

Dive site at the foot of a wreck stranded on the reef. The wreck is not in the water, but the site at the foot of the barrier is very beautiful, with a plateau over 10m, many passages, arches and caves, then a very fine drop-off that descends to 70m. Very sensitive to swell.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98800 nouméa

Îlot Maître (★4.2)

Dive site on the edge of the Maître islet. A sandy bottom with potatoe corals, perfect for exercises between 3m and 6m, sheltered from the prevailing winds.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

Sèche Croissant (★4.4)

The site is located in the lagoon, off the island Maître. In 8m of water, it offers a beautiful coral garden home to many fish. It’s the ideal spot for night dives. No current
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98800 nouméa

Patate VACH (★4.7)

Against the reef of the Signal islet, this site is ideal for initiations and the start of open water and stress and rescue courses. The site is always protected from the wind.
IATOK DIVING PARADISE, 98890 paita

Fausse passe de Uitoé (★4.4)

Fausse pass comprising a plateau with a sandy beach and a beautiful, jagged drop-off. Best done in calm weather. Very weak current in the bay. A must-see.
Mares

Boulari Plateau Manta (★4.7)

Plateau at 13m extending the barrier in the Boulari pass. A drift dive. This is the ideal place to observe manta rays, as there is a cleaning station. Strong current.