NEW CALEDONIA CIRCUMNAVIGATION

A circumnavigation of New Caledonia is a rewarding but challenging undertaking. The island group lies in the South Pacific, fringed by one of the world’s largest lagoons and the second-largest barrier reef after Australia’s. Here’s a breakdown from a captain’s perspective starting at the main POE of NOUMEA:

Overview

Distance: Roughly 600–700 nautical miles to circle the main island (Grande Terre), depending on your route inside or outside the reef.

Timeframe: 3–6 weeks at a comfortable cruising pace, with time for stops and weather waiting.

Charts & Navigation: OpenCPN, Navionics, and SHOM charts are essential. Google Earth overlays are widely used for tricky reef passes.

Anchorage Sources: Good Nautical

PILOT CHARTS

ANCHORAGES 

Circumnavigating New Caledonia is typically done in a counter-clockwise direction. This is because the prevailing southeast trade winds are more favorable when sailing north along the east coast and then south along the sheltered west coast

Counter-Clockwise Route 6 main sections (approx.  6-8 weeks enjoying and waiting for some weather windows )
1. Nouméa → West Coast North

Start: Nouméa – Port Moselle (22° 18.273′ S 166° 25.913′ E).
Main port of entry, full provisioning, fuel, and formalities.

Head northwest inside the reef along the west coast.

Suggested stopovers:

Baie de Chasseloup (~30 nm, good holding in sand).

Nekoro / Poya Bay (~55 nm, several sheltered anchorages).

Continue to Koumac (20° 34.820′ S 164° 16.420′ E) — fuel, repairs, provisioning.

Cumulative distance: ~160 nm in several day hops.

2. Koumac → Bélep Islands

Depart Koumac with stable weather, as this leg is more exposed.

Bélep (Waala, Art Island) – 19° 43.206′ S 163° 39.593′ E.
Remote, pristine anchorages, limited shelter.

 

3. Bélep → North & East Coast

Turn east then southeast inside the barrier reef.

Key stopovers:

Hienghène (20° 41.000′ S 164° 56.000′ E) — dramatic limestone cliffs, good anchorage.

Poindimié (20° 56.976′ S 165° 19.758′ E) — anchorage in front of the village.

Touho / Canala — safe stops depending on wind.

Legs: 25–40 nm between anchorages.

4. East Coast → Loyalty Islands

From Port Bouquet or Canala, head east across to the Loyalty Islands:

Lifou (We, Santal Bay) – 20° 55.000′ S 167° 16.000′ E.

Ouvéa (Mouli / Fayaoué) – 20° 39.999′ S 166° 31.999′ E.

Maré (Tadine) – 21° 32.610′ S 167° 52.951′ E.

Distances: 40–90 nm depending on the chosen island.

Clear waters, Kanak culture, welcoming communities.

5. Loyalty Islands → Île des Pins

From Maré sail southwest to:

Île des Pins – Baie de Kuto (22° 39.430′ S 167° 26.480′ E).
Superb sand anchorage, alternate with Baie de Kanuméra if needed.

 

6. Île des Pins → Nouméa

Final leg: sail northwest back to Nouméa.

 

Pass through Havannah Pass (22° 20.283′ S 167° 03.683′ E) in slack water — strong tidal currents can reach 4–5 knots.

Return to Nouméa – Port Moselle for clearing out, resupply, and marina services.

Key Notes

Season: Best between May–October (SE trade winds, dry season). Avoid November–April (cyclone season).

Navigation: Reef passes require daylight, sun overhead, and careful eyeball navigation.

Supplies: Nouméa and Koumac are the only strong provisioning/fuel hubs. Limited options elsewhere.

Cultural highlights: Kanak villages on the east coast and Loyalty Islands; French colonial history in Nouméa and Île des Pins.