Poé beach and lagoon | Sud Tourism New Caledonia

Must-sees places

17 km of white sand facing the UNESCO Lagoon
Listed in the top 10 in New Caledonia !

Bourail

A UNESCO World Heritage lagoon

The Poé lagoon is considered the most beautiful on New Caledonia’s Grande Terre. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s acknowledged as an exceptionally beautiful place. It’s home to some of the most diverse species of coral and fish on the planet. The lagoon is also home to several endangered marine creatures, like sea turtles and dugongs.

On Poé beach, in the air, on or under the water, the lagoon enchants with its incredible colours, flora and fauna. The seagrass at the edge of the beach slowly gives way to various coral flats. The turquoise blue of the water becomes even more intense. Colourful fish and turtles are easily visible from the surface. The closer you get to the coral reef, the more chances you have to come across stingrays and other marine animals. Lucky for you, in Poé, the reef is only 2 kilometres from the beach: the shortest distance on Grande Terre!

Tip

For a great snorkelling session, swim at high tide. If you go at low tide, since the lagoon is very shallow, you might have to walk for a bit before you can fully immerse yourself.

Jenifer, Tourist Office of La Foa

Water activities for everyone

To admire the Poé Lagoon, there’s no shortage of activities. Whether you like to glide on the water or admire the fish under water, you’ll find the perfect leisure activity. When the sea is calm, paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats rub shoulders in this giant pool. Swimmers take advantage of the lagoon’s crystal-clear waters to put on their snorkelling gear (called PMT here) and explore the seabed, populated by small, multicoloured creatures. As soon as the trade winds pick up, kitesurfers and a few windsurfers invade the area. The spot has an excellent reputation for board sports. The area is huge and perfectly oriented towards the south-easterly winds. From the lagoon, you get exceptional views not only of the reef, but also of the mountains behind Poé and the Domaine de Déva.

Note

Poé Fun Loc rents out the equipment needed for these water sports activities. Many of the places you can stay also provide kayaks for their guests.

Discover the seabed on a guided snorkelling tour

Explore the underwater flora and fauna of the Poé lagoon.

Émilie, a guided snorkelling enthusiast, is a passionate expert of the lagoon. She will introduce you to the remarkable coral reef site, which is a natural reserve that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. From a 3-hour excursion with a snack to a 6-hour picnic on Ile Verte, various options are available for beginners and experienced adventurers alike.

Explore the lagoon on a glass-bottomed boat

A simple and accessible way to explore Poé lagoon is to opt for a glass-bottom boat trip. This excursion comes in a variety of packages, offering different ways of discovering the seabed. You can visit the great coral reef or the Poe Fault to observe the fauna under the boat’s bow. The more adventurous can choose a guided snorkelling excursion on the underwater trail located 2.5 kilometres from the beach. At a maximum depth of 2-3 metres, the excursion is led by a qualified guide. Fun and educational! Departures are from Poé beach, in front of the Alizé snack bar, or from the Sheraton Deva Hotel.

An ideal family getaway

Families flock to Poé beach and lagoon all year round. It’s because the shallow water and the long stretch of sand are perfect for kids to play in and on. A surveillance system is also in place, which reassures parents. The wide range of activities on offer, as well as the diversity of accommodation and dining options, make it the perfect place for a family holiday. You can camp, rent a house or a guest room, stay in a hotel or a gîte. There’s something for every taste and budget! Snack bars are located near Poé Beach, while restaurants adjacent to campgrounds and hotels offer lunch and dinner service.

Good to know

There’s a grocery store at the entrance to Poé, which comes in handy if you don’t want to return to the main RT1 road to find a supermarket. Here you can buy all sorts of local produce, as well as take-away meals for lunch.

High-flying sports activities

To enjoy Poé lagoon in an original way, why not take to the skies? From up there, the panorama is breathtaking, and the sensations are guaranteed! Depending on what you want to do, you can choose between skydiving, paragliding, microlighting (called ULM here), seaplane flying, paramotoring… All these activities have one thing in common: they’ll give you an intense thrill. Above the lagoon, you’ll fully enjoy the coral reef, green hills, and golden plains. Nouméa Skydive, Air Paradise, Vertical Lagon or Cap Ulm… With Poé’s service providers, you’ll be dealing with air-sport enthusiasts. Each one offers aerial baptisms for first timers. An excellent gift idea for a loved one, or for yourself!

A must do

Fly over the lagoon in the early hours of the morning. Contrasts are more pronounced and the trade winds are still gentle