NEW CALEDONIA SURF TRIPS, SURFING INFO, SURF SPOTS, it's all here !!
 
 


Adriano de Souza

Bourail, Turtle bay

Flynn Novak, One-O

Tom Innes, One-O right

Shota Nakamura, Secrets

CARVIN’ THE REEF - FRENCH STYLE
All the information you could want on surfing in New Caledonia, the surfing regions and their surf spots, is right here. Since the Surfing WCT has NEVER organized an event in New Caledonia our little corner of paradise remains virtually unknown among surfing circles despite having some of the most exciting breaks in the South Pacific.

No doubt if you're reading this page it means you've heard about New Caledonia some way or another, and there's a lot of bad information, contradictory comments and bogus maps on the net. Here you will find trustworthy information to help you decide what's best for you: Nekweta Surf Camp, Ouano Surf Camp, Kuare Catamaran or a MIX (the best option by far!!). However we do have to leave out some precious information to protect our breaks.

Our breaks are world class and uncrowded. The Nautilus Tours network covers more than 20 surf breaks and 300 kms of the south west barrier reef. We have local surf guides who take you to the best breaks at the right time. Whether you are looking for a short sharp Teahupoo style rush or a 300 metre long multi section skate park style ride we have the spot for you. Lefts are most consistent here, but we do have some primo rights in our sleeves...

Our surf operations are run by locals, the number of surfers are controlled as we use the network to spread surfers along the coast, for our guests and the locals' benefit. The atmosphere in the water is warm. Only one rule to remember: smile and say hello or 'bonjour' if you can, it's a local tradition, and it is true wherever you go on the island, whatever you're doing.

At most locations there is a selection of several known breaks at least one
of which will capture the swell and churn out factory consistency no matter
what the direction.

As with most Pacific islands we have our best surfing months during winter
from May to September but surfing goes on year round, and cyclones have been known to whip up bonus monster sets during the summer as well so sign up to our newsletter to follow the swell alerts. New Caledonia is only a 2 hour flight from Australia and New Zealand, which makes it a great last minute surf destination.

In a nutshell: we offer exclusive access to surf spots, local guidance, comfort, and good service, at a fair price.

SURF INFO - SURF SPOTS

SURF SPOTS: New Caledonia is surrounded by a 1700 km barrier reef, which counts 200 passes with surfing potential. The most consistent region is the south west barrier reef, as it offers the best swell and wind conditions.

3 types of reef breaks on the west coast:
reef passes: with generally long lefts and rights
reef bends: with generally short sucky lefts
inner lagoon spots: good option for big swells
Only 1 beach break: Bourail Roche Percée beach.

SWELL: the breaks on the west coast of New Caledonia need either Southwest, South or Southeast swells. The swell is consistent here, generally all lows between Tasmania, Sydney and New Zealand send us clean ground swell.

WIND: New Caledonia is influenced by southeast trade winds, mostly from Novembre to March. Most lefts can hold up to 15 knots: trades are offshore or cross shore on most of them. On the other hand the trades blow out the rights which really need glassy conditions. In winter the winds come down the mountains and blow east or northeast, which is good for some lefts and a few rights. Onshore winds from the west are rare but announce stormy weather.

Water temperatures vary from 29°C in the height of summer to 20°C in winter (June-July-August).


SURFING AREAS

BOURAIL AREA (pronounced BOO-RYE):

To surf these breaks stay at Nekweta Surf Camp!

Secrets (left): up to 100 m, for experienced surfers: fast, shallow, steep take offs and deep barrels. Nicknamed Little 'Chopes by Adriano de Souza and Jeremy Flores. Radical wave from 2 to 10 feet.

Guaro (right) (pronounce GWA ROW): up to 100m. For all surfers: fun wave with a fair bit of water under your feet, good for carves; over 6 feet it becomes seriously powerful on the inside section and offers barrel action for serious punters.

Green Island left: a secondary break that works on specific conditions. For intermediate to experienced surfers: short and fast, barreling wave, shallow waters at the end. Good from 3 to 6 feet.

Nera rivermouth (left): up to 200m. For beginners and longboarders, scarcely good for shortboarders: the wave starts from the rivermouth and dumps on the beach, generally too flat for shortboarders who surf the peaks/shorebreak. Needs big swells.

 

OUANO AREA (pronounced ONE-O):

To surf these breaks stay at Ouano Surf Camp!

One-O left: up to 400m. For all surfers: this wave mixes barrels, carving sections and awesome walls that beg for reentries. It is very consistent, trade winds are offshore, it's good to surf from 2 to 12 feet, and becomes serious past 8 feet.

One-O right: up to 80m. For experienced surfers: fast, fun barreling wave, but shallow. Needs glassy conditions, good to surf from 3 to 6 feet, doesn't hold much more.

Shipwrecks (left): alternative left for intermediate to experienced surfers: short and fast wave with barrels, good from 3 to 6 feet, next to a huge shipwreck.

Mushrooms (right): for intermediate surfers: this wave is a secondary spot we surf when the swell is too big at the other breaks, short, mellow wave.

 

TENIA AREA (pronounced TEN YA):

To surf these breaks book Kuare Catamaran or Ouano Surf Camp.

Little U (left): up to 80m. Good from 2 to 10 feet. For intermediate to experienced surfers: fun ride when small; from 4 to 10 feet: fast ride, steep take off and good barrels.

St Vincents left: up to 300m. For all surfers: long carvy left, consistent, good from 2 to 12 feet; holds really well the the 8 to 12 feet range, awesome for barrels but not for the faint hearted.

St Vincents right: for intermediate surfers: short, fun ride, good option when the surf is too big on the left.


NOUMEA AREA (pronounced NOO MAY A)

To surf these breaks book Kuare Catamaran.

False Pass (left): up to 100m. For intermediate to experienced surfers: good fun wave when small, sometimes fast, radical, with good barrels. From 2 to 8 feet.

Dumbea left: up to 200m. For intermediate surfers up to 6 feet: good down the line surfing; definitely for experienced surfers from 6 feet and over: barrels, fast and powerful.

Dumbea right: up to 300m. For all surfers: long wave with steady wall, good for carves, barrels only when over 6 feet, holds up to 12 feet.

Light House right: up to 100m. For intermediate to experienced surfers: fast righthander with a wedgy take off and shallow end section.

Corvette (left): For intermediate to experienced surfers: short wave with a good wall. Doesn't hold past 6 feet.

 

SOUTHERN LAGOON AREA

To surf these breaks book Kuare Catamaran.

Skateparks (left): for intermediate to experienced surfers: wave can be 3 feet at the take off and jack up to a 6 feet wall or gaping barrel depending on swell direction. Needs a solid swell. Holds up to 8 feet.

Other breaks: the others breaks in this region don't have names, just GPS coordinates. You'll have to trust us when we say there are a few lefts and rights that are worth the trip.

 

  


ONE-O, mid wave barrel set up

ONE-O, reaping the fruits of a good stall

Secrets

Guaro, longboard styling

Guaro Line up

Jeremy Flores - Secrets - March 2005

Jeremy Flores - Secrets - March 2005

Jeremy Flores - Secrets - March 2005

Careful, she is nasty.ONE-O right

ONE-O left, septembre session.










SURF & TRAVEL TIPS

Shortboards: Take your regular short board along with a spare board, ideally a shape for down the line surfing and barrels (round and rounded square tails are the go here). An Indo style gun comes in handy when the surf is over 6 feet, although you can surf big with small boards. Problem is: if you want the big barrels on the take off you need an Indo gun. Shortboarders favourite rides: Secrets, ONE-O left and right, Little U, False Pass, Dumbea Left (and right sometimes), Light House right, Corvette, Skateparks and more in the southern lagoon.

Longboards: not all the waves out here are suited for longboards, especially not the short suck out lefts like Secrets, Little U or False pass, except on mellow days. The good waves for the 9 footers are: Guaro, Nera Rivermouth, One-O left (not always), St Vincents left, Dumbea right.

Equipment: Boardshorts and rashies from Octobre to April, year round for some... Bring a springsuit if your coming between May and Septembre, good for early morning surfs, if you want to surf 6 hours straight, and helps cushion hard landings.  

Booties: although they cramp your style, they are a great thing to have when surfing at low tide and when your leash breaks and you have to go get your board on dry reef.  

Helmet: most people don’t like the helmet, but if you like to charge there are some barrels on pretty shallow reef where most people wouldn’t call you a pussy for wearing one, especially if they are surfing off the shoulder…

Clothes: To go out on the boat take a spray jacket and a dry bag, always handy to keep a dry towel and spare clothes. By the way the camps do supply towels, but a spare beach towel comes in handy. Always good to have long pants, a nice shirt and a pair of decent shoes to hit the town. From May to Septembre take a springjacket, some comfortable sweat pants and shoes.

Sunscreen: 50 + and Zinc is what you need here. Lip balms are essential too. After sun is always necessary.

Mosquito repellent: New Caledonia is a tropical island, it's warm and humid climate added to mangroves on the coastline produces mosquitoes, and they like freshly imported meat. Bring long sleeve shirts and long pants if you want to minimize your use of mosquito repellent. Don't worry though, no malaria here, the camps are equipped to resist attacks, and beds all have mosquito nets.

 
     

 





 

 

 
 

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