An Adventure Lover's Guide To New Caledonia

New Caledonia offers countless adventures for the active soul. From quiet lagoons and colourful reefs, to steep climbs up to the best lookouts across the nation, this piece of French paradise in the South Pacific has everything needed to flip your holiday from lazy to adventurous.

Hike the NC1 Trail

On this track, hikers and trampers will discover some of the most unique parts of New Caledonia, many of which are exclusively accessible by foot. Discover New Caledonia’s old mining village, travel across the red earth, take a dip in the clear river waters and hike the various peaks along the way. Be sure to look out for the native birds, such as the cagou, a flightless bird often found along the path.

Bike through Les Boucles de la Netcha

Climb One of the World’s Tallest Lighthouses

Just a short boat ride from Nouméa lies a traveller favourite—Amedee Island. The island is perhaps most famous for its incredible lighthouse, which stands proudly in the centre. Constructed in Paris in the 1860s before it was disassembled and transported to Nouméa, the lighthouse towers above the island at about 184 ft. (56 metres). Visitors must climb 247 steps to the top, but the panoramic view is unbeatable.

Scuba Dive the Prony Needle

Scuba diving the hydrothermal structure, the Prony Needle, will satisfy beginner and advanced underwater adventurers alike. The incredible pinnacle is formed when various minerals from the hot springs in the area meet the cool ocean saltwater. The Needle is covered in oysters, coral and other bivalves and is home to a thriving marine eco-system of varying colours, shapes and sizes.

Kayak under the full moon in Blue River Provincial Park

Let the moon light the way with an evening kayak through Blue River Park. Choose from a relaxing after-work kayak tour into the Deep South forest, or take the full moon kayaking expedition. The tour travels the Drowned Forest, also known as the Sunken Forest, where hundreds of trees and bleached logs stand in the middle of an artificial lake.

Parachute or Skydive over Poé Beach

Poé Beach is a beautiful white-sand beach in the colonial town of Bourail, the same area famous for the rock formation, the Bonhomme de Bourail. For the best view of the sandy stretch, parachute or skydive across the spectacular reef, and then finish your afternoon with snorkelling in the clear waters.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.