Intermediate New Caledonia
New Caledonia
One of the largest lagoons in the world, with sea snakes everywhere
A barrier reef about fifteen hundred kilometers long encloses one of the most extensive lagoons on the planet, a designated World Heritage site. And on its reefs, the density of sea snakes surprises anyone who arrives without knowing about it.
In this profile you'll find out what diving in a lagoon this size involves, how the barrier reef passes work, why there are so many sea snakes and what you need to know about them, when to go, and what level each zone requires.
It's one of the largest lagoon systems in the world and one of the best-preserved in the Pacific, managed through a combination of World Heritage status and the customary rights of the Kanak communities.
Geography and access
New Caledonia is a French territory in the South Pacific made up of an elongated main island and several smaller archipelagos.
A near-continuous barrier reef surrounds the main island tens of kilometers from the coast, enclosing a lagoon that is one of the largest in the world and a designated World Heritage site.
That barrier is broken by passes through which the water flows in and out with the tide. The passes are the territory's most life-filled and current-swept dives, with sharks, schools of fish, and passing pelagics.
Inside the lagoon there are islets, isolated coral heads, and sandy bottoms, with calm conditions and good visibility.
Access is by international flight with a connection, usually from Australia, New Zealand, or Japan. Getting around within the territory combines road travel, domestic flights, and boat crossings.
Keep reading with full access
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