NEW CALEDONIA OUTER REEFS: Luxury Catamaran Charters

New Caledonia is a French territory 2.5 hours from the East Coast of Australia. A tropical paradise situated in the North Tasman sea, New Caledonia receives the same powerful ground swells as Fiji. These swells are generated by intense storms in the Southern ocean which come up from the Roaring 40’s under Australia and wedge themselves into the Tasman sea between Australia and New Zealand. The peak season for this swell activity is May-August. Mar/Apr and Sep/Oct also produce swells but these months are less consistent. The dominant wind is the SE trades, however most of the reef passes are oriented in a SW to W direction and thus enjoy offshores blowing into the wave face.

Safety Note: New Caledonia (a French territory like Tahiti) is a first world country that is politically stable and highly safe for Westerners to travel to in these uncertain times. Getting there from the United States is relatively straightforward and painless. Air New Zealand offers daily 1-stop service from Los Angeles via Auckland New Zealand (12.75 hrs to Auckland, followed by a brief layover, and 3 hours onto Noumea. Less than 16 hours total flying time. Layovers in Auckland in both directions average only 2-4 hours.)

The World Stormrider Guide, chapter 47, "Noumea Outer Reefs", describes New Caledonia’s Outer Reefs as one of the South Pacific’s last great surfing frontiers…

"It’s only in the last couple of years that New Caledonia has begun to reveal its potential for outer reef breaks to a waiting surf world. Though the waves that have been found here are the equal of anywhere in the South Pacific, it is unlikely that New Caledonia is ever likely to become as popular as some of its neighboring island states. The reason being that the waves break on reef passes between 3 and 12 miles offshore, and stretched along a 400 mile fringing barrier reef, which is too far for even the most hardcore of paddlers."

Wavehunters, in conjunction with its Australian partner World Surfaris, is proud to offer New Caledonia Luxury Catamaran Charters for the first time beginning in 2003. Yacht charter is the ONLY way to gain access to New Caledonia’s pristine outer reefs.

Our Australia guide Jonathon Scaysbrook who has lived in Noumea for many years will share his expert surf knowledge with you and enable you to experience some mind blowing surf that very few surfers have ever had the opportunity to experience.

Your example 7-night/8 days itinerary is as follows:

Sunday: Day 1 - Met at the airport by English speaking guide and transferred by bus to the boat. If arrival were 1300 we would expect after customs clearance etc to arrive at the boat around 1500. This leaves time to settle into the boat, stroll around town or leave directly for a sunset cruise toward the reef before your first home cooked meal. There is not time to get to the reef for late surf.

Monday: Day 2 - depending on group decision Day 1 about departure, arrival at suitable break for first light surf. The guide based on prevailing conditions and experience will decide this surf break. Options are two right-handers, three lefts close to Noumea, Two lefts a little further away. Quick breakfast available (cereal coffee tea) at daybreak before first surf. Cooked breakfast around 9 am after first session. Depending on conditions it is surf, sail, fish swim, explore islands or sleep for the rest of the day. Interrupted only by lunch. Mooring usually beside an island for the night as close as possible to the next days surf spot. Dinner another home cooked meal with French wine and cheese standard.

Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: Day 3 4 5 6, 7 - as above

Sunday: Day 8 - chance of early surf depending on departure but arrival in Noumea at latest 2 hours before flight to catch bus to airport.

We are only operating in the PEAK surf months. Months that almost guarantee Swell and good conditions. New Caledonia can get surf in Mar/Apr & Sep/Oct however these months are LESS consistent.