Arriving by boat
Catamaran cruise on the Caledonian lagoonCatamaran cruise on the Caledonian lagoon|
Catamaran cruise on the Caledonian lagoon
Cruise to Île des PinsCruise to Île des Pins|
Reaching New Caledonia by sea
Catamaran cruise on the Caledonian lagoonEmbark on a cruise
Dancing to welcome cruise passengers to NouméaDancing to welcome cruise passengers to Nouméa|
Around ten cruise lines, including industry leaders like Royal Caribbean Cruise and Carnival Cruise Lines from Australia and New Zealand, make stops in New Caledonia. Typically, these liners disembark passengers in Nouméa between 7 am and 9 am, setting sail again around 5 pm. This allows ample time to explore Nouméa, offering activities such as lagoon snorkelling, city and bay tours, visits to major museums, and various water sports. The cruise terminal (ferry terminal) conveniently welcomes passengers in downtown Nouméa on Jules Ferry Quay. Here, you’ll find tourist service providers and some shops. Tourist buses and taxis provide transportation in the capital, including to nearby beaches and islets.
Bring your own boat
Before docking
As a vibrant South Pacific city, Nouméa offers a rewarding stopover experience. Yachtsmen should contact “Port Moselle” on VHF (Channel 67) or Port du Sud (24 47 77) for access to Nouméa. Upon arrival, each crew member must present a valid passport and visa, depending on nationality. Remember to display your yellow flag until all formalities are completed.
Visitor-Friendly Ports
- Port Moselle: Limited stay to 3 days in high season (May 15-December 15) and 6 days in low season. Caution is advised when approaching the bay at night, as many boats anchor there without anchor lights.
- Port du Sud: Visitors can stay for up to one month except in the event of a cyclone warning.
Find out more
Capitainerie de Port Moselle : port.moselle@sodemo.nc – +687 27 71 97
Direction des douanes : douanes.nc@offatel.nc – +687 26 53 85
Police aux frontières : dpaf-noumea@interieur.gouv.fr – +687 24 32 00
Find the yacht arrival formalities form to hand to Sivap agents during inspection
Sivap : import-sivap.davar@gouv.nc – +687 78 26 81
Where to go with your boat?
Staying in the ports
Nouméa’s two harbours, Port Moselle and Port du Sud, provide sanitary facilities, water, electricity, laundry, and a service station. Port Moselle offers free wifi. Nearby, you can dine at restaurants serving French and Caledonian cuisine, shop in malls, or enjoy various activities, including diving. Nouméa also hosts numerous boat repair, deck fitting, spare parts, and equipment suppliers. Transit boats enjoy tax exemptions on spare parts for repair work.
For more information, refer to the “Stopover guide”
Catamaran at Port Moselle, NoumeaCatamaran at Port Moselle, Noumea|
Outing to Signal island, NouméaOuting to Signal island, Nouméa|
Near Nouméa
The Southern Province offers 120 moorings in the marine protected areas around Nouméa. Maître islet, Signal islet, and Larégnère islet feature beautiful beaches, barbecue spots, and snorkelling. When mooring, approach the buoys slowly, facing into the wind or current, and be cautious of swimmers and other boats. Check the condition of the mooring line you are using. Before departure, consult the tide times to avoid getting stranded on an islet.
Find out more:
- Guide to the lagoon available on the Province Sud website
- New Caledonia nautical guide
- Download the free Tides NC app for tide times
On the Isle of Pines
Anchoring is only authorised in Kuto Bay. Before heading to the Isle of Pines, yachtsmen should contact the Gendarmerie and the City Hall of Isle of Pines.
Gendarmerie of Isle of Pines
- Tel. : +687 44 87 85
- Mail : bta.l-ile-des-pins@gendarmerie.interieur.gouv.fr
- Opening hours : Monday to Saturday (7:30am-11:30am and 1:30pm-5:30pm), Sunday and public holidays (8:30am-11:30am and 2:30pm-5:30pm)
Mairie de l’Île des Pins (City Hall of Isle of Pines)
- Tel. : +687 46 11 03
- Mail : mairie-pins@canl.nc
- Opening hours : Monday to Thursday (7am-11:30am and 12:30pm-4:30pm) and Friday (7am-11:30am and 12:30pm-3:30pm)
Boats at anchor on Île des PinsBoats at anchor on Île des Pins|
Mooring plan for the Isle of PinesMooring plan for the Isle of Pines
Mooring charter for the Isle of PinesMooring charter for the Isle of Pines
Connect Kuto
As part of a sustainable tourism initiative, a mooring area with connected buoys is now available in Kuto Bay on the Isle of Pines.
All you have to do is reserve a buoy on the Connect Kuto application to make mooring easier and more secure, and to benefit from additional services.
In the Loyalty Islands
Sailing to the Loyalty Islands requires contacting Wé Marina on Lifou. All sailings to Ouvéa, Lifou, or Maré now require validation.
Wé Marina
- Tel: +687 45 10 62
- Mail: marinawe@loyalty.nc / l-katrawa@loyalty.nc
- Opening hours: 24/7
- VHF watch: Channel 67
If you wish to anchor outside the marina, please complete and send the anchorage application form below to the Marina de Wé 1 or 2 weeks before your departure.
Catamaran on the turquoise lagoon of New CaledoniaCatamaran on the turquoise lagoon of New Caledonia|
Notre Dame de Lourdes chapel in LifouNotre Dame de Lourdes chapel in Lifou|
On Lifou
Numerous anchoring areas are available. Once on site, a request for authorisation accompanied by a “greeting custom” must be submitted to the owner or chief of the tribe below:
- Xépénéhé: WAEHNYA Siwelë.
- Easo: BONUA Guytou, Tel: +687 45 11 11.
- Jokin: ATREA Konë, Tel: +687 96 68 96.
- Drueulu: QENENOJ Hulikoko, Tel: +687 80 58 76, see anchoring rules.
On Maré
Anchoring is possible in the Tadine bay, but beware of the traffic zone for coasters (freight transport) and the Betico, which have priority. Please enquire after anchoring to arrange a custom. If there are no cruise liners on arrival, boaters can use the pontoon dedicated to cruise liners with their dinghy.
- Mairie de Maré: Tél.: +687 45 49 00.
- Antenne de la Province des Îles à Maré (DGSM): Tél.: +687 45 44 00.
Catamaran in the islands of New CaledoniaCatamaran in the islands of New Caledonia|
Ouvéa, Loyalty IslandsOuvéa, Loyalty Islands|
On Ouvéa
Pending customary agreements, it is advisable to anchor in front of the Mouli chiefdom or the gendarmerie in Fayaoué. Once there, enquire about making a customary gesture to the owner or tribal chief.
- Mouli tribe: Mr DOUMAI Ambroise, Tel: +687 96 60 41.
- Fayaoué:
Gendarmerie: Tel: +687 45 53 10.
Antenne de la Province des Îles (DGSO): Tél.: +687 45 52 50.
In the Great South
The Great South offers vast landscapes of red earth, mining scrub, and rivers. Safe anchorages between the capital and the South lagoon are found in Prony Bay, Port Boisé, and Île Ouen. This region is also known for humpback whale sightings between mid-July and mid-September.
Baie Du Carenage Boucher Thomas 2030 04 23Baie Du Carenage Boucher Thomas 2030 04 23|
Boat trip along the West Coast, New CaledoniaBoat trip along the West Coast, New Caledonia|
On the West Coast
The leeward West Coast features wide-open spaces with niaouli tree savannahs, mangroves, stockmen, cattle, and rodeos. Numerous safe anchorages allow you to enjoy wild bays and islets, including Ténia islet, Saint-Vincent Bay, Croissant Bay, and Koumac.
On the East Coast
The windward East Coast offers a change of scenery and authenticity with Melanesian tribes and lush valleys. Sheltered anchorages along this coast, such as Hienghène or Port Bouquet, are ideal for stopovers.
Hienghène Marina and Tourist OfficeHienghène Marina and Tourist Office|
Barefoot North Poum Dean Cropp 2024 07 01Barefoot North Poum Dean Cropp 2024 07 01|
In the far north
The Grand Lagon Nord is a UNESCO World Heritage site, wild and exotic. It provides a sense of the edge of the world, both on land and at sea. Anchorages like Chasseloup Bay, Bélep Island, Boat Pass, and Neba await your visit.
Before leaving
New CaledoniaDeparture formalities must be completed within 24 hours before departure, and by Friday at the latest for boats leaving the Territory over the weekend. The boat’s papers and passports should be presented to:
- Customs (using the form provided upon arrival)
- The immigration department
- The Port Autonome harbour master’s office, which issues the clearance
Vessels leaving Nouméa are no longer authorised to call on the Territory of New Caledonia, including the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands.
Frequently asked questions about boating in New Caledonia
- When to go / seasonal considerations?
The best time to sail in New Caledonia is during the cool season, from late April to mid-November, when trade winds prevail, allowing for pleasant sailing conditions. From December to April, the cyclone season makes sailing less favourable.
- Is it possible to make repairs on site?
New Caledonia is equipped with well-appointed shipyards, and service providers are proficient in various fields. You can find a directory of service providers for repairs in your port of call booklet.
- What services are available for superyachts?
Noumea Yacht Services, located on the waterfront of the main port and marina facilities, offers comprehensive services for yachts, superyachts, and mega yachts. Their staff is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, providing services such as customs clearance, administrative formalities, caretaking, repairs, recruitment of onboard personnel, provisioning, organisation of activities and visits, on-site transfers, and transport services, among others.
