La Baie de la Moselle (Port Moselle) and the famous market. The colourful market is open daily from 5am to 11am (closed the 3rd Monday of the month). You should also visit the American monument (erected to commemorate this valuable ally in the Pacific war). Port Moselle shelters a large modern marina which is the departure point for boat excursions, including trips to Amédée lighthouse, îlot Maître and many other islands paradises.
La Baie de l'Orphelinat is named in memory of the orphans of Empress Eugénie who were sent to New Caledonia to be brides for the first settlers. Orphelinat Bay has a special centenary monument, in the form of an anchor, which was erected in 1953 to celebrate a century of French presence in New Caledonia.
Baie des Citrons (Lemon Bay) is a very sheltered, family-friendly bay with a lovely beach, a wide range of cafés, an excellent choice of bars and restaurants, and some colourful nightclubs. It is adjacent to the popular Anse Vata area and is home to the newly rebuilt Municipal Aquarium.
Anse Vata is a mecca for tourists and home for a wide variety of water sports. It is a pleasant place to go for a walk under the coconut palms. Here you will find hotels, businesses, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as a pleasant game of petanque at sunset. There are also sub-branches of the Nouméa and Southern Province Tourism Office and Destination Loyalty Islands.
La Baie du Kuendu is just 10 minutes from downtown Nouméa. Kuendu Bay is popular for its white sand beach, the water slide, the activities organised by the resort of the same name and the remains of Fort Tereka. Here you will find a hotel with distinctive overwater bungalows, and you can also try a traditional native feast called a ‘bougna’. Those new to snorkeling should also try the Lagoon Trek.
La Baie de Sainte-Marie features the well-developed Pierre-Vernier Promenade, which is a pleasant place for a wide variety of leisure activities and relaxation. This is a popular meeting place for walkers, runners and family bike rides in the shade of the coconut palms. The international sailing centre which occupies one of the bay’s coves, played host to the world Olympic windsurfing cup in 1999.
