Passe de Boulari
Drift dive near Nouméa, off Amédée islet.
Marine life & flora: Manta rays, turtles, grey sharks (Apr–Jun), Napoleon wrasse.
Destination guide
New Caledonia
The largest UNESCO-listed lagoon
UNESCO lagoonLeopard sharksProny Needle
New Caledonia — The largest UNESCO-listed lagoon. This destination suits intermediate-level divers and is aimed mainly at those looking for encounters with marine life.
Dive centres are open from April to November. During this period the water is between 22 and 26 °C; over the year it ranges from 22 to 27 °C.
Must-dive sites include: Passe de Boulari, Aiguille de Prony, Vallée des Gorgones (Île des Pins).
At a glance
- Recommended level
- intermediate
- Focus
- Wildlife
- Water
- 22–27 °C
- Dive centres open
- April – November
- Indicative budget
- 3 390€
Indicative trip budget, paid directly to providers (flight, hotel, dive centre)
Dive sites
Aiguille de Prony
Hydrothermal chimney rising towards the surface, in the bay of the same name.
Marine life & flora: Bivalves, groupers, macro (nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses).
Vallée des Gorgones (Île des Pins)
Drop-off carpeted with gorgonians, one of the most photogenic in the southern lagoon.
Marine life & flora: Gorgonian forests, eagle rays, whitetip and grey sharks.
Épave de la Dieppoise
Wooden patrol boat deliberately sunk in 1988 between Boulari Pass and Amédée islet.
Marine life & flora: Sessile fauna, giant gorgonians, schools of fish.
Water temperature month by month
| Month | Temperature |
|---|---|
| January | 26 °C |
| February | 27 °C |
| March | 27 °C |
| April | 26 °C |
| May | 25 °C |
| June | 24 °C |
| July | 23 °C |
| August | 22 °C |
| September | 22 °C |
| October | 23 °C |
| November | 24 °C |
| December | 25 °C |
With Polipia you join a group of 8 divers matched by affinity. The matchmaking fee is only due once your group is confirmed.
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