Top 10 Marinas in New Caledonia
New Caledonia sits roughly 1,500 kilometres east of Australia, surrounded by a barrier reef system that encloses a lagoon covering approximately 24,000 square kilometres — UNESCO listed and the largest enclosed lagoon in the world. Noumea, the French-administered capital on the Grande Terre's southern tip, is the natural gateway: it offers the only full-service marina in the archipelago, reliable provisioning in French supermarkets, and well-organised customs and health clearance. Between May and November the trade winds blow steadily from the south-east at 15–25 knots, making offshore passages predictable and comfortable.
Marina de Port Moselle
Marina de Port Moselle in central Noumea is the undisputed hub of yachting in New Caledonia. The basin accommodates around 500 vessels on finger pontoons, with berths up to 25 m regularly available and occasional space for larger passage-makers. Water, shore power at 220 V / 50 Hz, wifi, fuel dock, laundry, and a well-stocked chandlery are all on-site. The capitainerie handles port formalities and can direct sailors toward the cruising permit required for the outer islands. A ten-minute walk reaches Noumea's downtown market, boulangeries, and Alliance Française library.
Marina de Pandop
Marina de Pandop, about 3 kilometres south-west of Port Moselle on the Noumea waterfront, caters primarily to local motor vessels but maintains a section of dock space for visiting yachts. Its position gives slightly better protection from the south-east swell that occasionally wraps around the Noumea headlands. Fuel and a small café are available. The surrounding Baie de l'Orphelinat is shallow toward the shore, so approach with a rising tide if your draft exceeds 2 m.
Marina de Boulari
Marina de Boulari is situated on the inner shore of the Baie de Boulari, roughly 6 kilometres south of Noumea. The marina primarily serves the local fishing fleet and sports boats, but a section of floating dock can take visiting keelboats to about 15 m length. The Baie de Boulari is one of the most sheltered bodies of water in southern Grande Terre; even at the height of the trade-wind season the bay remains calm. Ile Ouen and the surrounding pass offer excellent snorkelling on healthy Acropora colonies.
Cercle Nautique Calédonien
The Cercle Nautique Calédonien (CNC), New Caledonia's oldest yacht club, occupies a prime position on the Noumea waterfront adjacent to Port Moselle. Visiting yachts are usually welcomed to use the club's moorings or dock alongside on a reciprocal basis, provided they hold membership of an affiliated club. The CNC organises the annual Groupama Race and several offshore passage events, and its notice board is a reliable source of crew and weather information. The clubhouse has a bar, restaurant, and showers.
Marina de Touho
Marina de Touho on Grande Terre's north-eastern coast, roughly 230 kilometres by road north of Noumea, is the main staging point for the Loyalty Islands crossing. The marina has a fuel dock, water, and basic provisions available in the adjacent village. The approach through the Touho pass requires attention to swell height; with swells above 2.5 m the pass becomes uncomfortable. The surrounding Côte Est coastline is rugged and scenic, with Kanak cultural sites accessible by road from the village.
Darse de Poindimié
The Darse de Poindimié, on the central east coast of Grande Terre about 170 kilometres north of Noumea, is a small craft harbour sheltered by a concrete breakwater. Visiting yachts can anchor in the bay or secure briefly alongside the darse wall. Poindimié town has a fuel station, pharmacy, and a modest supermarket. The offshore reef at Poindimié includes some of the best manta-ray cleaning stations on the east coast, typically active between August and November.
Marina Port du Sud
Marina Port du Sud, also known as Port du Sud or Prony Bay marina, is tucked into the southern bight of Grande Terre near the nickel-processing town of Prony, approximately 70 kilometres south-east of Noumea by sea. The setting is dramatic: forested hills drop steeply to the water and the bay is almost completely enclosed. Holding is excellent on mud at 8–15 m. The gîte at Prony village can arrange provisions, and the ruins of the colonial-era Prony penitentiary are an atmospheric shore excursion.
Marina de Hienghène
Hienghène on the north-east coast of Grande Terre is famous for its limestone karst formation known as La Poule et ses Poussins (the Hen and Chicks), which marks the entrance to the Hienghène River. Yachts can anchor in the river mouth in 5–8 m of water with good protection from the south-east trades. Hienghène is the gateway to the Caledonian highlands and the Kanak cultural heartland; the Goa Ma Bwarhat museum in the village is a must-visit. There is no formal marina, but the anchorage is secure and the scenery extraordinary.
Marina de Port Ouenghi
Port Ouenghi, on the south-western side of Grande Terre about 35 kilometres from Noumea, serves a small community of local boaters and has floating docks suitable for visiting yachts up to about 12 m. Fuel is not available here, but the peaceful surroundings and proximity to the scenic Boulouparis region make it an appealing overnight stop. The bay is well protected from the prevailing south-east wind, though a southerly change can funnel discomfort into the anchorage.
Explore on the map
New Caledonia's lagoon is vast enough to spend months exploring. Plot your route through the barrier reef passes on the interactive map — from Port Moselle in the south to Hienghène in the north, and across to the Loyalty Islands of Maré, Lifou, and Ouvéa. The sailing map layers together marina locations, reef outlines, and pass coordinates so you can plan each day sail with confidence. Zoom in on New Caledonia on the map to compare anchorage depths and identify the nearest fuel dock before you leave your berth.