France
Lagoons of New Caledonia
The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems contain coral reef ecosystems with great species diversity and a high level of endemism.
The six tropical lagoons and reefs show a wide range of coral diversity and reef forms, with additional features from mangroves to seagrasses. They are home to a large population of endangered dugongs and are an important nesting site for the Green Sea Turtle.
Community Perspective: Clyde visited 4 out of 6 locations in 10 days, and enjoyed the coral rock islands, the aerial views and the crystal clear lagoons.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (ID: 1115)
- Country
- France
- Status
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Inscribed 2008
Site history
History of Lagoons of New Caledonia
- WHS Type
- Natural
- Criteria
- vii
- ix
- x
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- nouvellecaledonie.travel — Patrimoine mondial
News Article
- Aug. 30, 2023 theguardian.com — Outcry in New Caledonia over shark culls and net plans despite attacks
- Jan. 27, 2019 straitstimes.com — New Caledonia passes new rules to protect coral reefs
- Oct. 7, 2013 nwf.org — Scorn and praise for protection of New Caledonia
- April 6, 2009 rnzi.com — Acid leak kills thousands of fish in world heritage status lagoon in New Caledonia
Community Information
- Community Category
- Natural landscape: Marine and Coastal
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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Located in a TCC Territory
New Caledonia -
Submerged continent
Zealandia -
Sharks
hammerhead, silky (most of the sharks s…
Connections of Lagoons of New Caledonia
- Individual People
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Cousteau
1973
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- Geography
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Situated in one of the SIDS
France/New Caledonia 2008 -
Antipodes points
ANCIENT KSOUR OF CHINGUETI=LAGOONS OF NEW CALEDONIA(atoll d ouvea et beautemps beaupre) N20 27 48 W12 22 00 = S20 33 37 E166 28 12 // BANC D ARGUIN NATIONAL PARK=LAGOONS OF NEW CALEDONIA(atolls d'entrecasteaux) N20 14 4.992 W16 6 32.004 = S18 26 12 E163 4 49 -
Melanesia
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Submerged continent
Zealandia -
Marine sites
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Coral Sea
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Cape
Cap Ndoua -
Atoll
Atolls d'Entrecasteaux and Atoll d'Ouvéa et Beautemps-Beaupré -
Dependent territories
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France -
Pacific Ocean
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- Trivia
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Pareidolia
Hen of Hienghène
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- Ecology
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Coral
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Turtles and tortoises
Green Sea Turtle -
Lagoons
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Whales
"Between July and September, during the southern hemisphere winter, New Caledonia is home to humpback whales " -
Living Fossils
NautilusSee en.wikipedia.org
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Mangroves
"The property is a marine site of exceptional diversity with a continuum of habitats from mangroves to seagrasses" (AB ev) -
Endemic Bird Species
New Caledonia EBA, several island IBA's: some 31 endemic bird speciesSee www.birdlife.org
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Siraneans
Dugong -
Seals
fur seal -
Critically endangered fauna species
Endemic birds such as the New Caledonian owlet-nightjar (< 50 individuals remaining), and New Caledonian Lorikeet (possibly extinct) & Hawksbill Turtle -
Sharks
hammerhead, silky (most of the sharks stay way off coast and that's outside the core zone)
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- World Heritage Process
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Situated in a UNESCO associate member state
New Caledonia
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- Constructions
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Lighthouses
Phare Amédée
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- WHS on Other Lists
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UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories
New Caledonia - France -
Located in a TCC Territory
New Caledonia -
Biodiversity hotspot
New Caledonia
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- Timeline
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Holocene
Process of reef formation started in the Pleistocene, lagoons of today became water-filled during the Holocene.See www.google.co.uk
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News
- theguardian.com 08/30/2023
- Outcry in New Caledonia over shark…
- straitstimes.com 01/27/2019
- New Caledonia passes new rules to …
- nwf.org 10/07/2013
- Scorn and praise for protection of…
Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.Community Reviews
Show full reviews
I visited this WHS in December 2017. Of the 6 different locations which make up this WHS in the South Pacific archipelago and overseas French territory of New Caledonia, I visited 4 locations, namely the Zone Côtière Ouest and the Zone Côtière Nord-Est from the main island of Grand Terre, the Grand Lagon Sud from the main island of Grand Terre and from the Isle of Pines to the southeast and the Atoll d’Ouvéa et Beautemps-Beaupré from the island of Ouvea.
In Noumea, on the Grand Terre, I rented a car to cover at least 3 locations out of the 4 which can be explored directly from the main island. The Grand Terre is 400km in length with mountain ranges and 5 peaks which are over 1500m, so driving from one place to the next requires a considerable amount of time but is quite easy especially from Noumea to La Foa or to Bourail. At each location I visited there were UNESCO inscription boards and maps depicting each of the 6 inscribed locations. The highlight on the Grand Terre were the crystal clear lagoons around the pretty mangrove islands which are inhabited by dugongs. Several action plans are in place to preserve these wonderful lagoons which are easily accessible by driving to the Plage de Ouano and following the Sentier des Trois Baies.
From Noumea, taxis and public transport are not a reliable means of transport so factor this when visiting and allow enough time before departure even if most …
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Seeing the Lagoons and Reefs around New Caledonia involved viewing from the air, from vantage points on land, from the comfort of a cruising vessel and up close beneath the waves.
The island of Ouvea in the Loyalty Group was best viewed from the air on the flight from Noumea. But once on the island the opportunity to use the pristine beaches as means of access to the shallow reefs was irresistable.
To reach the Isle of Pines I flew from Noumea across the southern reefs. Once on the island I transferred to a cruiser and travelled around the reefs and offshore islands. The colours were spectacular.
I drove up the West Coast of the Grand Ile stopping at Bourail to visit the coast in the vicinity of the 'Roche Percee'. After visiting more reefs around Kone I traversed the mountains to the opposite coast.
I spent several days exploring the East Coast, a pristine coastal landscape extendimg from Pouebo south to Poindimie. Every bay and estuary provided a different vista.
Time prevented me from reaching the Grand Northern Lagoon and the atolls of Entrecasteaux.
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