Underwater Wonderland: New Caledonia Establishes the World’s Largest Marine Protected Area

By Everlyn

Until just a few months ago, Denmark’s Northeast Greenland National Park was the world’s largest nature reserve, spanning more than the combined size of 30 countries on Earth.

But now there’s a new attraction. Located in the southwest Pacific, the French territory of New Caledonia establishedthe world’s largest marine protected areain May.

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The coral reefs span over 500,000 square miles. This entire economic zone—Corail Nature Park—protects the world’s second-longest coral reef system and the planet’s largest lagoon, like an underwater stadium filled with species you’ve never laid eyes on.

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Also, because it lies close to temperate zones, New Caledonia’s coral reefs are incredibly rare. And travelers can choose three ultra-trendy ways to reach New Caledonia: by surfboard, yacht, or even with a diving mask.

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Here’s information on these three ways to reach the underwater national park of New Caledonia:

Surfing There:

Nekweta Fish & Surf Camp (+687 784 026): Offers a seven-day surfing camp with bungalow accommodation (including meals), which can be booked viaThe Perfect WaveorWorld Safaris.

Traveling by Yacht:

The Great Lagoon Regatta (+687 795 601): An annual event held the first weekend of June. Foreign vessels can enter for free.

Dream Yacht Charters (+687 799 118), located in Noumea, the capital of southern New Caledonia, rents 43-foot yachts that can accommodate about 8–10 people, at around NT$36,000 per day.

Diving There:

Bernard Andreani Snorkelling Treks (+687 779 072; bernard.andreani.nc@gmail.com), offers half-day diving trips and birdwatching boat tours to Signal Island Marine Park, at around NT$6,800 for two people. Reservations required. Departs at 8 AM from Noumea’s Kuendu Beach.

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