Noumea (New Caledonia)

: Overview
: Windsurfing
: Kitesurfing
: Getting There
: Where to Stay
: Food & Nightlife
: Activities
: Photos
: Reviews

Noumea Overview
Noumea is the capital city of New Caledonia, and lies 50km and an hour’s drive south of La Tontouta international airport. It is a green and hilly city, with some good views from the hill tops of the surrounding bays and islands. The ‘downtown’ area of the city is fairly flat, and easy to get around.
The Sailing in Noumea
Ansa Vata Bay in Noumea is one of the world’s best locations for flat water blasting, so much so, that in recent years, the PWA (professional windsurfing Association) has selected this location for its annual finale to the world cup slalom racing tour. Consistent trade winds and blue lagoon like water provide ideal conditions for flat-water blasting as well as long distance cruising to other nearby islands.
The horse-shoe shaped bay, which forms a lagoon, is blessed with South Easterly trade winds that blow across the lagoon from left to right. This prevailing wind direction points the sailor in the direction of Duck island, which lies a kilometre away. Three kilometres further on is the island of Ilot de Maitre, a 600m long island surrounded by a vast and shallow lagoon, ideal for long speed runs.
Although Anse Vata bay provides year round sailing, the winds are most consistent between October and April during the summer months, with an average air temperature of 27 to 29 degrees, and a water temperature of 26 degrees.
Best Suited To
Ansa Vata Bay is suited to all windsurfing and kitesurfing levels from beginner to advanced. Although it provides no waves for wave sailing, it is a world class area for freeride blasting, slalom racing and freestyle. It also provides the ideal location for those learning to use a harness, get planing, water-start and gybe. At Duck Island, the sailor can dismount in the shallows, rest, and look back at the view of the bay, before sailing back to shore.
Hazards
Turtles frequent the waters surrounding New Caledonia. Many a local windsurfer will have a tale to tell of damaging their fin colliding with the shell of a turtle, so it pays to keep an eye out for them; same goes for foiling kite surfers.
There is not a great difference between water depth at high and low tide, and in between the launching area and Duck Island there are no shallow areas on which to hit your fin although foilers may need to stick to deeper channels at low tide.
The snorkelling area located a couple hundred metres from the main windsurfing launching area is rich in coral which lays just beneath the surface of the water however this is well cordoned off with the use of marker buoys so this shouldn’t present a hazard.
Pros
- Flat water at low to mid tide
- Blue water
- Safety
- Easy rigging on grass under palm trees
- Easy launching
- Close to the hotels
- Cross shore trade winds
Cons
- Seabed can be hard under foot
- Keep an eye out for turtles
The generally flat waters of Ansa Vata bay are ideal for freeride gear, as well as full slalom race equipment, where there are many local sailors to test your speed against.
Noumea Windsurfing
The best sailing in Noumea is in Ansa Vata Bay which is a short walk from various hotels along the bay.
Additionally the island of Ilot de Maitre is very popular due to its .....and you can either sail over to there from Ansa Vata Bay or catch the ferry.
Ansa Vata Bay
Palm trees provide cover over a thin layer of grass to rig up, or you can rig on the sandy beach.
The weekends can get busy with windsurfers, particularly slalom sailors coming out to compare their relative speeds with other sailors but there is always room to rig up.
The seabed at the launch point in Ansa Vata Bay is a mix of sand and fine pieces of loose coral which can be a little sharp under foot, so booties are recommended.
There is no shore break and the grade of the sea bed is gradual making launching very easy. At low to mid tide, with a slight current from left to right, the water is flat when the south east trade wind is blowing. As the tide rises the lagoon becomes a little choppier, but for a given wind strength is relatively flat.
The water can get very choppy in the expanse of water between Duck Island and Ilot de Maitre which is the shipping channel, although shipping traffic is fairly low.
Once at Ilot de Maitre, the sailor is greeted with flat water for long speed runs. It should be noted that it is only possible to sail in the lagoon at Ilot de Maitre between mid and high tide, otherwise your fin is likely to hit the seabed.
An alternative is to take one of the small ferries with your windsurfing equipment out to Ilot de Maitre, and rig up there (see Ilot de Maitre as a launch site below).
Best Suited To
Ansa Vata Bay is suitable for beginner to advanced windsurfers.
Windsurfing disciplines include:
- Freeride sailing/flatwater blasting
- Slalom
- Freestyle
- Foiling
- Long distance cruising
Best gear to use
The generally flat waters of Ansa Vata bay are ideal for freeride gear, as well as full slalom race equipment, where there are many local sailors to test your speed against.
For Non-Sailors
Non sailing family members can walk just 200 m along the bay to the snorkelling area, where they will find crystal clear waters and the colourful coral reef accessible from the beach. Stand up paddle boarding is also available although this may pose a bit of a challenge when the wind is blowing.
The most popular activity for the non-sailing person is to take one of the ferry's to Duck Island and snorkel at the marine park.
Or there is always kicking back at your hotel with a good book to read by the poolside with cocktail at hand!
Windsurfing Centres
Aloha Windsurfing

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Services Overview:
Beginners Gear Rentals
Kids Gear Rentals
Adults Lessons
Kids Lessons
Location of centre:
Beachfront
Aloha Windsurfing is a mobile windsurfing school operating in Ansa Vata Bay that is well setup for beginner lessons and SUP hire. They also have hire equipment for intermediate sailors as follows; 100 litre freeride boards 120 litre ‘heavier’ tuffskin boards Recreational freeride sails up to 6.7m There is no performance equipment, and the equipment tends to be ageing so Read more...
Noumea Kitesurfing
The main kitesurfing launching areas are Meridien Beach and Aquereve Beach located at the eastern end of Ansa Vata Bay.
This is also the launch spot for those that want to kite out to the island of Ilot de Maitre located approximately 3km off shore from Ansa Vata Bay or you can catch the ferry out there with your gear and launch from there.
Meridien Beach & Aquereve Beach
The Meridien Beach is located just in front of the Meridien Hotel at the eastern end of Anse Vata Bay. Consistent south easterly trade winds and blue lagoon like water provide ideal conditions for flatwater freestyle. The wind direction at the beach is cross – off-shore due to a spit with a helicopter pad.
Aquareve Beach is a few minutes' walk and upwind of the Meridien Beach heading east. This beach also provides extremely flat water with a more onshore wind. If the wind has more easterly in it then it is more cross shore and less offshore and gusty compared to the Meridien Beach.
Best Suited To
Meridien Beach is best suited to intermediate to advanced kiters, because the cross offshore angle of at the launch site and the proximity of a helicopter pad to the left means the kite schools take their students a little further out to sea in the lagoon of Anse Vata Bay. The wind is strong and the water very flat.
Pros
- Flat water at low to mid tide
- Blue water
- Space to launch on a sandy beach
- Close to the hotels for accommodation and refreshments
- Consistent south easterly trade winds
- Sandy seabed
Cons
- Becomes very shallow at low tide
- Less suitable for inexperienced kiters to launch.
Ilot de Maitre
Ilot de Maitre is a 600m long thin island surrounded by a vast shallow lagoon of sand and reef. Access is provided by a number of small ferries that depart regularly from Anse Vata Bay. The ferry ride is approximately 15 minutes and they are used to carrying kite gear at no extra charge.
Consistent south easterly trade winds and blue lagoon like water provide ideal conditions for flatwater freestyle. The wind direction at the launch beach is onshore.
The launch area is along the length of the island down one side that faces south easterly. The other side of the island has resort accommodation and jetty for the ferries
There is always room to launch the kite. The weekends can get very busy with kiters.
Non sailing family members can snorkel along the western facing side of the island, where there is an abundance of tropical fish, as well as turtles to swim beside. Snorkelling equipment can be hired from the ferry terminal at Ansa Vata Bay before embarkation. There is also a restaurant and swimming pool on the island, and for those that can afford it, accommodation huts on stilts out on the water. The western side of the island is sheltered from the south easterly trade wind, so sunbathing and reading is comfortable.
Best Suited To
Ilot de Maitre suitable for beginner to advanced kitesailors.
Its sheltered, shallow waters make it a safe and ideal place to learn kite surfing.
For the more advanced riders the location is ideal for freestyle along the shore-line and long-distance cruising back towards the mainland.
Pros
- Very flat water at all states of tide
- Turquoise water
- Space to launch on a long sandy beach
- Consistent south easterly trade winds
- It is possible to kite in a variety of wind directions as it is an island so the wind is clean
- Ideal location to learn to kite.
Cons
- Becomes very shallow at low tide
- Can become crowded on a good day
- Keep an eye out for turtles.
Kitesurfing Centres
Kitesurf Attitude

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Premium Gear Rentals
Adults Lessons
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Kiting tuition and hire is available through kitesurf Attitude, a school is located on the Le Meridien Hotel Beach. The courses take place on the islets of Ilot de Maitre and Islet Goéland, just 10 and 20 minutes from the Le Meridien, which are accessed by speedboat. These two islets are ideal for beginners and improvers. The teaching takes place Read more...
Noumea Kite School

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Premium Gear Rentals
Noumea Kite School offers group & private lessons as well as equipment rental from half a day. Group Lessons Classes are held on the Master Island or the Island Gull. These 2 spots are excellent for learning because we have foot everywhere, can sail on a flat water with a steady wind. The departures take place every day between 8h Read more...
Getting to Noumea
International Access
You will fly into Tontouta international airport which is located XXkm / about 1 hour coach ride to Ansa Vata Bay.
See flight options here>>
From Airport to Ansa Vata Bay
It is best when booking a hotel to book the shuttle service that links the airport to the hotels at the Bay.
The shuttle coach will carry your windsurfing gear to your hotel for a further charge, although this is not always requested. The maximum length of equipment is about 2.5 m. Any longer and it is very difficult to squeeze into the width of the luggage hold on the coach.
Transport Services
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Noumea Accommodation
There are a dozen or so hotels to chose from in and around Noumea however the best located hotels for those wanting to sail that are within walking distance to the main launching areas are as follows ....
Featured Accommodation
Chateau Royal Beach Resort & Spa

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Star Rating:
4-star
Beach Access:
Beach-front
Room Types:
Single
Twin
Double
Triple
Quad
Family
Room Facilities:
Private Bathroom
Bath or Spa Bath
Balcony or Terrace
Views
Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:
Child Friendly
Restaurant(s)
Bar(s)
Outdoor Pool
Indoor Pool
Day Spa
Fitness Centre
Communal Lounge Area
Car Parking
Activities:
Entertainment
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The Chateau Royal Beach Resort & Spa is located with direct access to Anse Vata Beach, just a couple of minutes walk from sailing launch areas. The hotel offers a variety of deluxe self-cater suites for up 5 guests. There is 3 restaurants & 3 bars to choose from as well as direct access to the casino. The fitness centre Read more...
Le Méridien Nouméa Resort & Spa

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Star Rating:
5-star
Beach Access:
Beach-front
Room Types:
Single
Twin
Double
Room Facilities:
Private Bathroom
Bath or Spa Bath
Balcony or Terrace
Views
Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:
Child Friendly
Restaurant(s)
Bar(s)
Outdoor Pool
Day Spa
Fitness Centre
Communal Lounge Area
Car Parking
Activities:
Entertainment
Bikes
Windsurfers
SUPs
Book Here
If you are looking for a luxury romantic sailing holiday you can’t go past Le Méridien Nouméa Resort & Spa. This 5-star resort hotel is located right on the water’s edge just a couple of minutes walk to all of the main launching sites. There is a variety of rooms & suites of various standards catering for up to 3 Read more...
Nouvata Hotel

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Star Rating:
2-star
Beach Access:
Beach-front
Room Types:
Single
Twin
Double
Triple
Quad
Family
Room Facilities:
Private Bathroom
Bath or Spa Bath
Balcony or Terrace
Views
Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:
Child Friendly
Restaurant(s)
Bar(s)
Outdoor Pool
Communal Lounge Area
Car Parking
Activities:
Entertainment
Book Here
The Nouvata hotel is located across the road from the beach however it is about 5 km from most of the main launching areas (back towards Noumea) on Anse Vate Bay. They offer free parking so if you have a car this won’t be an issue. The hotel offers a variety of rooms catering for up to 3 guests from Read more...
See all accommodation options here >>
Food & Nightlife in Noumea
Whether you’re up for a sundown Apéritif, with a live band playing in the background, or a bigger night out on the dance floor, the New Caledonian bar and nightlife scene has plenty of options. For a sophisticated start to the evening, Anse Vata Bay and Bay des Citrons are dotted with chic seaside cocktail bars, and upscale French eateries.
Anse Vata Bay
Le Roof is a higher end restaurant positioned out on stilts that are located out over the bay. This stunning location provides panoramic views of Ansa Vata bay.
There are also a number of brasserie type places to eat nearby, along the bay and amongst the hotel complexes.
Poplight on the pier, next to Le Roof restaurant, is a lively waterside bar and dance spot, where you can watch the sun sink over the ocean.
The Code Bar, located street front at the Nouvata Parc Hotel complex, offers up a lot more than a regular hotel bar. Things get going in the evenings with regular live music, salsa nights and Latin dance evenings.
Baye des Citrons
There are also numerous bars and restaurants to select from along the bay.
The MV Lounge boast DJs spinning South Pacific favourites, glittering ocean views, and plenty of chances to move your feet.
La Barca Cantina y Taqueria is a fabulous spot and transforms itself from a quiet, relaxed lounge and cafe during the day, to a happy-hour pizza and beer early evening, to a bar and nightclub later on with regular live music.
Featured Restaurants & Bars
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Noumea Activities & Culture
Noumea is the capital of New Caledonia so many of the top tourist attractions are very close to the sailing location.
Some of the top nearby activities include:
- the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
- the aquarium featuring a wide variety of tropical fish, a live nautilus & an outdoor turtle pond
- the zoo featuring a botanical garden & a sanctuary with birds, reptiles & small mammals
- the Noumea cathedral
- the Maritime Museum & numerous other museums
- snorkeling at one of the many beaches or nearby islands
Other activities in the area include:
- Scuba diving
- SUP
- Yacht Sailing
- Bike riding
- General sight seeing
- Wine tasting & craft beer
- Hiking
Featured Activities
Aquarium Of Lagoons

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The aquarium lagoons was founded in 1956 by biologist Rene Catala and his wife Ida Stucki. It is located between Anse Vata and Baie Citron. Visiting this new structure is organized as a journey through the different aquatic of New Caledonia. See sharks, rays, turtles, tropical fish & coral reefs plus much more Read more...
Tiki Lagoon Watersports

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Tiki Lagoon Watersports offers a huge variety of water-based sporting activities including water skiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, stand-up-paddle-boarding, tube riding & catamaran & dingy sailing. ERICK DELOLMO is a state certified instructor, BPJEPS for all of these nautical activities. This is great for individuals, groups and families. Read more...
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