New Caledonia (The Lagoon)
Grande Terre (Noumea and surrounds), New Caledonia
Photo: the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus on NASA’s Landsat 7 satellite, Jesse Allen, Michon Scott. · Public domainAbout this site
New Caledonia boasts the world's largest lagoon - a UNESCO World Heritage site enclosed by the world's second-longest barrier reef. This French territory offers diverse diving from healthy coral gardens to dramatic drop-offs, WWII wrecks, and encounters with dugongs, humpback whales, and sharks. The exceptional water clarity and French-influenced culture make it a unique South Pacific destination.
Conditions
- Country
- New Caledonia
- Region
- Grande Terre (Noumea and surrounds)
- Max depth
- 5–40 m
- Visibility
- 20–40 m
- Water temperature
- 22–26°C
- Difficulty
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Best season
- September to December
- Type
- Wreck
- Suitable for
- Scuba
- Dive types
- Wreck
- Wall
- Reef
- Marine life
- Sharks
- Mantas
- Rays
- Turtles
- Whales
- Coral