Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems

The third edition of Groupama Race – Sailing around New Caledonia, is not far away. The Groupama Race, the longest windward, leeward race around the biggest lagoon of the world, starts on the 9th of September. To find out more about the race including the leaflet, Notice of Race and more, visit the official website. For any boats coming for Sail Noumea who want to participate in the Groupama Race, the first entry from New Zealand and Australia, will have the marina berth (from June to September) provided free of charge and the entry fee refunded (Of course this refund will take place once the race started).

Sailing in Noumea, New Caledonia

By Briar Jensen; Escape; April 8 2012

I'M LYING on the catamaran's trampoline looking up at the crisp, white sail silhouetted against the sky.

The sound of water rushing past the hulls and the gentle motion of the yacht soon has me nodding off until someone shouts: "Dolphins!"

I'm sailing the world's largest lagoon, surrounded by a 1500km coral reef, in the inaugural New Caledonia Great Lagoon Regatta.

The New Caledonia Great Lagoon Regatta, an international event in the largest lagoon in the world

eTravel Blackboard; April 4 2012

The New Caledonia Great Lagoon Regatta will be held for the second time from 25 to 28 May 2012 in a sporty, festive and authentic atmosphere among the dream islands of the Unesco World Heritage southern great lagoon, with shades of blue, turquoise and green. In addition to the enchantment of the lagoon, its marine life, it is the peculiarity of a territory which is to be discovered particularly through its Melanesian culture.

The main objective of this regatta is to promote the marine industry by promoting the New Caledonia destination around an event likely to attract sailors and tourists from around the world. Regattas such as the Nioulargue, the Antigua Sailing Week and closer to us the Tahiti Pearl Regatta show an example of nautical events where the economic and image impact is incomparable.

Beyond the competition, this three-day regatta is also an opportunity to discover a unique marine environment in the largest lagoon in the world where biodiversity is exceptional and internationally recognized. For sailors two festive evenings on islands will allow them to experience moments of friendship and good humour.

Sailing Through The Tropics

By Kerry Van Der Jagt; Stuff; December 22 2011

A sailing regatta gives Kerry van der Jagt the chance to explore one of the world's aquatic wonderlands. WHAT a difference a day makes. Twenty-four hours ago I was standing in line for a loaf of sliced supermarket bread. Today I'm standing on the back of a yacht, breathing in salt air and collecting an armful of warm baguettes from a smiling Frenchman. With an "au revoir" and a tip of his cap, the baker putters across the lagoon to his next customer. This may be race day in the inaugural New Caledonian Great Lagoon Regatta but no French crew worth their salt would start the day without fresh bread.

Under a lavender sky we crack open the eggshell crust and smother butter over the soft white centre before dunking it into bowls of milky coffee. The Pacific sun that will torment us later rises slowly over the lagoon, breathing life and shape into the lumpy green coastline and sending shards of light prancing across the water's surface. All around, other crews are stirring; scrubbing decks, coiling ropes, mending lines.