Pure (sailing) bliss

With Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) reintroducing the Sydney to Nouméa Yacht Race in 2018, thoughts are returning to this cruising wonderland complete with French flair.

The race will start in Sydney Harbour (2 June 2018), and while entries are already coming in, the floodgates will open once the partners and families of the crews get wind of it. After all, who can resist the idea of sailing in the world’s largest lagoon, with its azure blue waters hosting a myriad of sea life, its pristine beaches and surprisingly green interior? All just a three-hour flight, or a week-long sail, from Sydney.

Nouméa’s highlights

Nouméa sits on the eastern side of the island Grande Terre, which means ‘big land’ in French, and is the first port of call whether you fly or sail. With its perfect blend of indigenous Kanak and French sophistication, there is much to love – a melange of boutiques, shops (South Pacific Pearls are great value here), restaurants and attractions.

First-time visitors on a tight schedule will find the two-hour tour on the Tchou Tchou train a good introduction to “the Paris of the South”, with a knowledgeable guide filling passengers in on sites including the picturesque Anse Vata and Baie de Citron beaches; the Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park; the Place des Cocotiers and the excellent Tjibaou Cultural Centre. And one can’t forget the crown jewel of the island – the lagoon.

The biggest in the world at 24,000 square kilometres, the lagoon is spectacular. Created by the massive coral reef that circles the island nation, it is second in size only to our very own Great Barrier Reef. Needless to say, the snorkelling, the gorgeous white sand beaches and verdant vegetation just adds to the experience.

Briar Jensen, an experienced yachtsman from Sydney, says: “Cruising inside the world’s largest lagoon with the world’s second largest barrier reef makes thrilling sailing, though it pays to go with someone who knows the waterways.

“Within easy reach of Nouméa are mountainous islands, rocky islets and coral cays surrounded by inviting turquoise waters, so it’s easy to island-hop.

“As a major nesting site for marine turtles, you can expect to see enormous specimens swimming by, and with nearly 2,000 species of fish, it’s a fantastic location for snorkelling and diving.”