EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Behold the wonders of the indigenous Kanak culture at the Tjibaou Cultural Center, a complex of galleries and performance spaces that celebrate native life.

Even the exterior is stunning, as the center’s sail-like pavilions were patterned after the traditional thatched huts of the native Kanaks. You will walk a path that tells the story of man’s creation through the myths and beliefs of the Kanak society. The path is lined with medicinal plants cited in the myths, further underlining the importance of the bond between nature and the Kanak people.

There are also gardens representing topics such as rebirth, the duality of men and women, and the spiritual relationship between the visible and invisible worlds. The exhibits inside the center’s three villages reveal the Kanak culture through paintings, sculptures and traditional music and dance performances. One of the most moving exhibits is devoted to the life and work of Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a leader that fought for Kanak independence.

This wonderfully relaxing excursion introduces you to the tropical paradise of Amedee Island, where you'll enjoy beach activities and a glass-bottom boat ride over the barrier reef.

Travel by coach from the pier to Port Moselle where you'll board a high-speed ferry bound for Amedee Island. The island lies due south of Noumea, surrounded by the turquoise Coral Sea. It's the ultimate place to relax because the island is little more than beach, tropical foliage and an historic iron lighthouse that was transported from France and reconstructed here in 1865.

The time spent here is yours to do as you please. You might sunbathe on the sugar-white beach or read a book under the shade of a coconut palm. You can easily walk the length of the island or completely around it, as Amedee is ringed by beach.

Also, being part of a marine reserve in a magnificent lagoon that's a UNESCO World Heritage site, the island offers spectacular snorkeling. However, if you'd prefer to see the underwater world without getting wet, just board the glass-bottom boat, where you'll likely catch sight of turtles, manta rays and other marine life.

Another highlight is lunch, served buffet-style as you watch a traditional dance performance. Later, you might try your hand at sarong tying or, if you're feeling particularly ambitious, learn to climb a coconut palm.

After approximately five hours enjoying all that Amedee Island has to offer, you'll return by ferry to Port Moselle where your coach awaits to transfer you back to the cruise ship pier.

OVERVIEW

Zip through the sea in a high-speed Zodiac boat and hop off at Duck Island, where you will spend hours relaxing on the beach however you please. The ride over will be exhilarating as the Zodiac is built to be fast yet stable. It won’t take long to reach the coral islet Ilot Canard or Duck Island because it lies just offshore across Anse Vata Bay. A wide powdery beach rims most of the island, so there is plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy this tropical oasis. You might lie back in a lounge chair and bask in the sun, stroll along the shore and take a swim in the crystal-clear sea. If you prefer shade, beach umbrellas are readily available and there are plenty of trees at the center of the tiny island. If you wish to see the underwater wonders, snorkeling equipment can be easily rented.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an exhilarating ride across Anse Vata Bay in a high-speed Zodiac boat.
• Spend hours on beach-rimmed Duck Island, doing most anything you please.
• Stretch out in the sun, relax under a beach umbrella and rent snorkeling gear if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please on one of Noumea’s most popular beaches, a lengthy stretch of sand with plenty of shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. It won’t take long to reach the beach as you will ride a wheeled shuttle train there. Lemon Bay is supposedly named for the lemon tress that once grew near the shore. Today, coconut palms are abundant and provide shade for those who prefer to lie on the grass below rather than on the sand. Still, the main draw is the beach and the bay’s sheltered, typically calm waters. The beach is spacious enough to find your own piece of paradise and do most anything that you find relaxing. Feel free to do nothing more ambitious than bask in the sun and stroll along the shore. The sea is wonderfully inviting and its turquoise waters are ideal for a refreshing swim.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax for hours at Lemon Bay Beach, one of Noumea’s most idyllic and popular beaches.
• Spend the time completely at your leisure with no schedule to follow but your own.
• Enjoy the beach, the turquoise sea and the restaurants and shops nearby.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Trace New Caledonia’s history at two museums, one reflecting the island’s strong ties to the sea, the another revealing the island’s strategic role in World War II. Much of this seafaring past is displayed in the Museum of Maritime History, whose thousands of artifacts date to the early Melanesian and Polynesian settlers. Other historical marine highlights include two frigates that were sunk in the late 18th century but not found until 2005 when one of the ship’s sextants was discovered at the bottom of the sea. The second museum reflects Noumea serving as a headquarters for the United States military during World War II. From 1942 until the end of the war, more than one million U.S. and Australian soldiers were stationed on New Caledonia, and their presence left a lasting impact. Before the war, the island was known for little more than being a French penal colony.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse two museums whose collections reveal New Caledonia’s maritime and wartime history.
• See maritime artifacts dating back thousands of years when the Melanesians settled the island.
• Gain an understanding of Noumea’s vital role in World War II as a U.S. military headquarters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience life high in the rainforest tree canopy by testing yourself on dozens of daring challenges at an adventure park on the slopes of Mount Koghi. After a briefing and practice session to assess your abilities, you will explore the treetop canopy on as many as four aerial trails of varying difficulty. The easiest and lowest trail, the Flying Fox is great place to start by warming up with Tarzan swings and simple net climbs. Then, choose the level that you find most comfortable. The Stick Insect trail features a pirate ship mast and a climbing wall, while the Gecko Trail is more demanding, especially of your arm muscles. It involves scurrying up vertical nets and around monkey bars before surfing through the tree canopy 40 feet above the ground. The Imperial Pigeon Trail is higher and more challenging but well worth the effort as it ends with a 225-foot zipline.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Test your climbing ability, balance and bravery at an adventure park on Mount Koghi.
• Climb into the rainforest tree canopy on vertical nets, monkey bars and rope bridges.
• Surf and zipline high above the forest floor for the ultimate thrill.
• Observe wildlife such as Imperial pigeons, Caledonia crows and horned parakeets.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak through the sheltered seas off Sainte Marie Island, where you will enjoy free time to swim and relax on one of its most beautiful beaches. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and launch from a residential district on Ouemo Peninsula, which separates Magenta Bay from Sainte Marie Bay. The water there is typically calm because Sainte Marie Island isn’t far offshore and its hills shield the sea from the wind. As you paddle along, the guide will lead you into secluded coves and describe the marine life that inhabits the coral reefs that you can easily see just below the surface. Upon reaching one of the more idyllic beaches, you will disembark for a bit of exploration. You might stroll along the coast, take a refreshing swim or simply stretch out on the sand before padding back.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through the crystal-clear waters off long, slender Sainte Marie Island.
• Explore hidden coves and see coral reefs teeming with marine life just below the surface.
• Enjoy a short beach break on Sainte Marine Island and swim in the sea if you like.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear closed toe shoes.

OVERVIEW

See key attractions that define Noumea and its French heritage and come away with a better understanding of New Caledonia’s capital. One of the more striking landmarks is Notre Dame Du Pacifique, a small, oddly designed Roman Catholic church that perches atop a hill in the heart of the city. From there, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Noumea and the islands beyond. Similarly, you will enjoy sweeping 360° views while meandering along the esplanade on the summit of Ouen Toro Hill near the city’s southernmost edge. Noumea’s coastal beauty will also be on display as you pass the turquoise waters of beach-blessed Lemon Bay and serene Orphelinat Bay. Lagoons rim most of Noumea and for the ultimate look at the wonders underwater, you will browse the city aquarium, which holds an incredibly biodiverse collection of marine creatures. Fluorescent coral gardens, sea snakes and prehistoric-looking nautiluses are but a few of its offerings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a scenic drive around Noumea with stops at its most revealing attractions.
• Take in the gorgeous views from the hilltop church Notre Dame Du Pacifique.
• Behold the natural beauty of southern Noumea from the summit of Ouen Toro Hill.
• Spend free time browsing the colorful and unusual creatures in the city aquarium.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes.

Ideal for nature lovers, this excursion takes you on a walking tour of Parc Forestier, a wonderfully compact botanical park and bird sanctuary.

Begin your tour with a drive through the city center where you'll notice the splendid French architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere that contributes to Noumea's reputation as the Paris of the Pacific. You'll enjoy another perspective of the city from a scenic lookout along the way and still another superb vantage point at Parc Forestier, an elevated ever-evolving botanical park that opened in 1972.

While within the city limits, Parc Forestier seems worlds away. Shaded pathways wind through the towering trees with peacocks freely roaming around the grounds. The calls of exotic birds can be heard piercing the air. There are pens with native and non-native animals, but native birds are most prevalent.

During your guided walking tour, you may see the New Caledonian Imperial Pigeon, an impressively sized bird also known by its nickname: the Goliath Pigeon. All sorts of parakeets, crows and friarbirds endemic to New Caledonian can also be found here. Still, no bird captures the attention of visitors quite like the kagu, a flightless bird whose call is often mistaken for a barking dog. With its pale gray feathers and bright red legs, the kagu is easy to spot, especially since it's the national bird and its likeness is on 1000 Franc note and business logos throughout Noumea.

This excursion appeals to the senses by presenting views of Noumea's natural beauty, followed by a wine and cheese tasting that reveals the area's French influence.

Make your way to the Notre Dame Lookout point, where you'll enjoy sweeping harbor views. En route, you'll pass the Southern Province Government House, Port Plaisance Shopping Center, the Yacht Club and the Marina's housing complex. All the while, you'll be getting a feel for the cosmopolitan city of Noumea, whose atmosphere is decidedly French. But that's only one vantage point that helps to introduce you to the Paris of the Pacific as the city is known.

Continuing on south of Noumea, you'll stop at the Ouen Toro scenic lookout, from which you'll see a portion of New Caledonia's barrier reef, which is the world's second longest, only eclipsed by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The lookout is also home to a memorial honoring the Allied troops that protected the French colony of New Caledonia during World War II.

The island has deep ties to France, best expressed through exquisite French cuisine served in local restaurants and its wine and cheese culture. You'll stop at one of them to taste different vintages and sample a variety of classic cheeses accompanied by French baguettes. The drive back to the pier takes you via a route that presents yet another scenic perspective of Noumea.