The Lagoon and Barrier Reef

New Caledonia is encircled by one of the natural wonders of the Pacific, a vast lagoon, among the largest in the world, enclosed by one of the longest barrier reefs on earth, some 1,500 kilometres, together forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary beauty and biodiversity. This luminous expanse of turquoise and sapphire water shelters a dazzling wealth of marine life, vibrant coral gardens, turtles, rays, sharks and countless fish, making it a world-class destination for diving and snorkelling. Dotted with tiny islets and reached from Nouméa and coastal towns, the lagoon, best appreciated from the air or beneath the waves, is a shimmering aquatic paradise.

What you actually see

• The barrier reef - the world's second-longest continuous reef.
• The diving and snorkelling - the coral gardens and marine life.
• The lagoon islets - the tiny motu and Amédée lighthouse.
• The turquoise waters - the dazzling colours of the lagoon.

When to go

April to November, the cooler, drier season, for the best weather, calmest seas and clearest diving visibility; the wet season from December to March is hotter and more humid with a cyclone risk. The lagoon is explored on boat trips and dives from Nouméa and coastal towns, with the islets and reefs at their most beautiful on calm, sunny days.

Honest expectations

Experiencing the lagoon's best requires boat trips or diving rather than just beach lounging, adding cost, and its vast scale is most striking from the air; some reef areas, as everywhere, face pressures. New Caledonia is also a comparatively expensive French destination. For one of the largest and most beautiful lagoons on earth, though, a UNESCO wonder of turquoise water, barrier reef and abundant marine life, it is a genuine highlight and a diver's paradise.

Nearby

The Isle of Pines, the capital Nouméa and the outer islands are within reach.