SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

This wonderfully relaxing excursion introduces you to the tropical paradise of Amedee Island, where you'll enjoy beach activities and a glass-bottom boat ride. Travel by coach from the pier to Port Moselle where you'll board a high-speed ferry bound for Amedee Island. The island lies due south of Noumea, surrounded by the turquoise Coral Sea. It's the ultimate place to relax because the island is little more than beach, tropical foliage and an historic iron lighthouse that was transported from France and reconstructed here in 1865.The time spent here is yours to do as you please. You might sunbathe on the sugar-white beach or read a book under the shade of a coconut palm. You can easily walk the length of the island or completely around it, as Amedee is ringed by beach. Also, being part of a marine reserve in a magnificent lagoon that's a UNESCO World Heritage site, the island offers spectacular snorkeling. However, if you'd prefer to see the underwater world without getting wet, just board the glass-bottom boat, where you'll likely catch sight of turtles, manta rays and other marine life. Another highlight is lunch, served buffet-style as you watch a traditional dance performance. Later, you might try your hand at sarong tying or, if you're feeling particularly ambitious. After approximately five hours enjoying all that Amedee Island has to offer, you'll return by ferry to Port Moselle where your coach awaits to transfer you back to the cruise ship pier.

OVERVIEW

See key attractions that define Noumea and its French heritage and come away with a better understanding of New Caledonia’s capital. One of the more striking landmarks is Notre Dame Du Pacifique, a small, oddly designed Roman Catholic church that perches atop a hill in the heart of the city. From there, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Noumea and the islands beyond. Similarly, you will enjoy sweeping 360° views while meandering along the esplanade on the summit of Ouen Toro Hill near the city’s southernmost edge. Noumea’s coastal beauty will also be on display as you pass the turquoise waters of beach-blessed Lemon Bay and serene Orphelinat Bay. Lagoons rim most of Noumea and for the ultimate look at the wonders underwater, you will browse the city aquarium, which holds an incredibly biodiverse collection of marine creatures. Fluorescent coral gardens, sea snakes and prehistoric-looking nautiluses are but a few of its offerings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for a scenic drive around Noumea with stops at its most revealing attractions.
• Take in the gorgeous views from the hilltop church Notre Dame Du Pacifique.
• Behold the natural beauty of southern Noumea from the summit of Ouen Toro Hill.
• Spend free time browsing the colorful and unusual creatures in the city aquarium.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip through the sea in a Zodiac boat and hop off at Duck Island, where you will spend hours relaxing on the beach however you please. It won’t take long to reach the coral islet Ilot Canard or Duck Island because it lies just offshore across Anse Vata Bay. A coral beach rims most of the island, so there is plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy this tropical oasis. You might lie back in a lounge chair and bask in the sun, stroll along the shore and take a swim in the crystal-clear sea. If you prefer shade, beach umbrellas are readily available and there are plenty of trees at the center of the tiny island. If you wish to see the underwater wonders, snorkeling equipment can be easily rented.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a ride across Anse Vata Bay in a Zodiac boat.
• Spend hours on beach-rimmed Duck Island, doing most anything you please.
• Stretch out in the sun, relax under a beach umbrella and rent snorkeling gear if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Experience life high in the rainforest tree canopy by testing yourself on dozens of daring challenges at an adventure park on the slopes of Mount Koghi. After a briefing and practice session to assess your abilities, you will explore the treetop canopy on as many as four aerial trails of varying difficulty. The easiest and lowest trail, the Flying Fox is great place to start by warming up with Tarzan swings and simple net climbs. Then, choose the level that you find most comfortable. The Stick Insect trail features a pirate ship mast and a climbing wall, while the Gecko Trail is more demanding, especially of your arm muscles. It involves scurrying up vertical nets and around monkey bars before surfing through the tree canopy 40 feet above the ground. The Imperial Pigeon Trail is higher and more challenging but well worth the effort as it ends with a 225-foot zipline.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Test your climbing ability, balance and bravery at an adventure park on Mount Koghi.
• Climb into the rainforest tree canopy on vertical nets, monkey bars and rope bridges.
• Surf and zipline high above the forest floor for the ultimate thrill.
• Observe wildlife such as Imperial pigeons, Caledonia crows and horned parakeets.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak through the sheltered seas off Sainte Marie Island, where you will enjoy free time to swim and relax on one of its most beautiful beaches. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and launch from a residential district on Ouemo Peninsula, which separates Magenta Bay from Sainte Marie Bay. The water there is typically calm because Sainte Marie Island isn’t far offshore and its hills shield the sea from the wind. As you paddle along, the guide will lead you into secluded coves and describe the marine life that inhabits the coral reefs that you can easily see just below the surface. Upon reaching one of the more idyllic beaches, you will disembark for a bit of exploration. You might stroll along the coast, take a refreshing swim or simply stretch out on the sand before padding back.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through the crystal-clear waters off long, slender Sainte Marie Island.
• Explore hidden coves and see coral reefs teeming with marine life just below the surface.
• Enjoy a short beach break on Sainte Marine Island and swim in the sea if you like.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear closed toe shoes.

This excursion appeals to the senses by presenting views of Noumea's natural beauty, followed by a wine and cheese tasting that reveals the area's French influence.

Make your way to the Notre Dame Lookout point, where you'll enjoy sweeping harbor views. En route, you'll pass the Southern Province Government House, Port Plaisance Shopping Center, the Yacht Club and the Marina's housing complex. All the while, you'll be getting a feel for the cosmopolitan city of Noumea, whose atmosphere is decidedly French. But that's only one vantage point that helps to introduce you to the Paris of the Pacific as the city is known.

Continuing on south of Noumea, you'll stop at the Ouen Toro scenic lookout, from which you'll see a portion of New Caledonia's barrier reef, which is the world's second longest, only eclipsed by Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The lookout is also home to a memorial honoring the Allied troops that protected the French colony of New Caledonia during World War II.

The island has deep ties to France, best expressed through exquisite French cuisine served in local restaurants and its wine and cheese culture. You'll stop at one of them to taste different vintages and sample a variety of classic cheeses accompanied by French baguettes. The drive back to the pier takes you via a route that presents yet another scenic perspective of Noumea.