Noumea, New Caledonia cruise travel guide

A slice of France floating not far from Australia combines indigenous culture and beautiful scenery: what’s not to love about this South Pacific port?

Who goes there

Noumea is a regular port of call for cruise lines from Australia offering roundtrip cruises to the South Pacific, such as Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean. There are also South Pacific cruises (such as Celebrity and Oceania) and world cruises from companies such as Cunard and Seabourn. Expedition ships sometimes stop by during their voyages to Melanesia.

sail away

Come on, get up early, because isn’t one of the great pleasures of a cruise the arrivals? Located on a curved peninsula flanked by a massive lagoon, with the rolling hills of New Caledonia beyond, warm tropical breezes are felt as you approach Noumea. But as you approach, you see that the shoreline is lined with dull warehouses, with more work being done per day.

docking ceremonies

Gare Maritime Terminal is at Quai Jules Ferry, a short walk from the city centre. While there are various services such as tourist information on the ground floor, there are shops selling local handicrafts on the upper floor. There are many restaurants and cafes on the beach nearby. Larger ships will sometimes dock at the container terminal a short shuttle ride from the cruise terminal, and the largest ships may have to anchor offshore.

Disembark

Although not full of grand views, Noumea has a pleasant setting, with many hillsides dotted with jacarandas and flame trees and surrounded by peacock-blue bays. The center of French colonial heritage buildings is on Place des Cocotiers. Aquarium des Lagons displays magnificent corals (some fluorescent), as well as lampreys, stingrays, seahorses, sea snakes and turtles. It is one of the few places where you can see the rare nautilus shellfish, a living fossil from the deep.

Don’t miss

The striking, ultra-modern Tjibaou Cultural Center is inconveniently located eight kilometers from Noumea centre, but is worth a visit for its indigenous-inspired architecture by star architect Renzo Piano. Inside, there are excellent exhibits highlighting Kanak and Oceanic arts and cultures, including sculptures, wooden masks, ritual arts, and elaborate ceremonial costumes. The museum is located in a parkland and is surrounded by a mangrove swamp.

Be active

Stroll around Noumea’s compact bays and peninsulas to the Ouen Toro lookout, 90 minutes from the cruise terminal. You can enjoy all kinds of water sports in the world’s largest lagoon, including swimming, snorkeling and jet-ski tours. The small island of Ilot Maitre has good scuba diving and is a notable kitesurfing destination. Another option is a big game trip for giant trevally, wahoo, marlin and yellowfin tuna.

best bites

Anse-Vata Bay is the place for seafood restaurants. Large blue shrimps and coconut crabs are local delicacies but all the seafood is outstanding. Adventurous diners should try the musk rosé or the bat stew in red wine marinade. The native dish bugna consists of chicken or fish and root vegetables cooked in banana leaves over a fire. For DIY delicacies, head to the market in Port Moselle (best in the morning); Here you will find baguettes and croissants, good coffee, tropical fruits and much more.