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Bonne Anse is one of New Caledonia's better known anchorages. It was named Bonne Anse (Good Anchorage) because it was easy for the old sailing ships to get in and out if it when entering or leaving New Caledonia via the Havannah Pass.
It's a popular anchorage today and lots of yachts stop there when going between Noumea and Isle of Pines. The series of bays are well protected from anything but a strong westerly wind but anchoring in shallow water is not good because the bays have thickets of very brittle corals that can be quickly destroyed by anchors and also foul an anchor so it does not hold well.
The coral thickets are amazing for snorkelling, however, and you can spend all day in perfectly calm, protected water taking photos of the rich and varied reef inhabitants. There are also several nice walks from the bays up onto Cap Ndoua, which overlooks the vast southern lagoon. From the peak you can see Isle of Pines 31 nm distant during clear weather.
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New Caledonia is the closest South Pacific Island to Australia and New Zealand. It is a French Territory and although the official language is French the culture is a blend of Melanesian, European, Polynesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, and more. There is one large mountainous island called Grande Terre and 6 smaller islands - the three Loyalty Islands, Belep and the Isle of Pines.The islands are remarkably unpopulated and there are vast areas of wilderness. There are hundreds of kilometers of walking treks, camp grounds, more than 42 parks and reserves, and crystal clear rivers with sparkling waterfalls. Almost one third of the population is located in the capital city of Noumea. Nickel mining is the primary industry and is the major contributor to the high standard of living in the country. Grande Terre is surrounded by the second largest barrier reef in the world and the protected lagoon created by this barrier reef is the largest in the world. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008, the lagoon is 24,000 square kilometers and supports a diverse and luxuriant fauna of fish and invertebrates.The vibrant, clear and rich colors are one of the first things that visitors notice when they arrive. Noumea has a complete range of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and activities to welcome visitors.
