Life in the lagoon: corals, nautiluses, sea snakes
At a glance
- Category
- Museums
- Area
- Nouméa
- Time needed
- 1.5 h
- Opening hours
- Check ahead
- Admission
- Paid
- Places to stay nearby
- 10 places to stay within 1 km
An aquarium at Anse Vata showing the ecosystems of the lagoon and the reef, fluorescent corals and live nautiluses. Worth a visit before a snorkelling trip.
On the map
Orange dots: places to stay nearby. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates are approximate.
Where to stay nearby: Lagoon Aquarium
All places to stay in the area →Distance from the sight as the crow flies: Nouvata Budget — 250 m; Nouvata — 360 m; Hilton Noumea La Promenade Residences — 360 m; Le Lagon — 440 m.
Tours nearby
All tours on the island →
Sea and lagoon
Nouméa's islets: Canard and MaîtreFive minutes by taxi boat to an underwater trail
Half a dayAll year≈ 560 m
Sea and lagoon
A day on Amédée lighthouse isletA cast-iron lighthouse from 1865, a lagoon with turtles and lunch on the islet
A full dayAll year≈ 2.8 km
History and towns
Nouméa: the Tjibaou Centre and the baysRenzo Piano's architecture, the Lagoon Aquarium and the Ouen Toro lookout
Half a dayAll year≈ 6.4 kmMore to see nearby
Beach
Anse Vata
Nouméa's main beach, with kitesurfing and a promenade≈ 560 m
Beach
Baie des Citrons
A calm bay lined with bars — Nouméa's evening scene≈ 1.5 km
Museum
Tjibaou Cultural Centre
The centre of Kanak culture, in buildings by Renzo Piano≈ 6.4 km
Beach
Amédée islet
A lagoon islet with a lighthouse, and turtles close to shore≈ 19 kmOpening hours, prices and rules are a rough guide: check official websites before you go.