Understanding Shark Safety

Most shark incidents in New Caledonia happen when humans engage in risky behaviour around sharks. To safely coexist with these animals, it is important to follow a few basic rules:

Avoid areas where swimming is discouraged due to shark risk:

• Ports, marinas, and areas near boat moorings
• Murky waters near river mouths or pipe outlets
• The Nouville peninsula area of Nouméa

Avoid swimming at certain times of day, such as dawn, dusk, or after heavy rainfall, when water visibility is low and sharks are more likely to be hunting.

Practical Safety Measures

• Do not throw food into the water; avoid feeding fish
• Do not swim with dogs
• Fishermen: do not dispose of fish remains near swimming areas or islets, and do not carry fish on your belt
• Engage in water activities like kitesurfing, windsurfing, or scuba diving with company, not alone

By following these precautions and staying vigilant, you can swim safely and enjoy New Caledonia’s UNESCO World Heritage lagoon and its extraordinary biodiversity.

Authorities closely monitor shark activity and advise which areas are safe for swimming. For your safety and enjoyment, it is recommended to choose supervised and protected beaches, especially in Nouméa.

Avoid swimming in:

• Ports, marinas, and areas near boat moorings
• Murky waters near river mouths or pipe outlets
• The Nouville peninsula area of Nouméa

Supervised beaches use a flag system:

• Green flag: supervised swimming and no particular danger
• Orange flag: supervised but dangerous swimming
• Red flag: swimming prohibited

In Nouméa, the following beaches are equipped with anti-shark protection and daily lifeguard surveillance:

Baie des Citrons / Lemon Bay

Since 6 December 2023, a large protected swimming area is secured with an anti-shark barrier.

The area covers 10 hectares (750 m long × 220 m wide) and is reserved exclusively for swimming and beach activities.

Facilities for people with reduced mobility are available free of charge at the lifeguard station.

Lifeguard hours:

• 8:45 am – 5:00 pm in the warm season (October – April)
• 8:45 am – 4:00 pm in the cooler season (May – September)

Outside the protected area, swimming and water sports (paddleboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, kayaking, va’a) are allowed at your own risk.

Château Royal and Méridien beaches

Since 13 September 2024, a 400 m anti-shark net secures a 2.7-hectare swimming zone. Three lifeguards monitor the area daily, with the same seasonal hours as Baie des Citrons.

Activities outside the netted area are allowed, according to individual responsibility.

Drone monitoring:
Restricted nautical zones in Nouméa – including Baie des Citrons, Anse Vata, and Magenta – are regularly monitored by drone surveillance to enhance safety.

By swimming within these protected and supervised zones, you can fully enjoy the beaches of Nouméa with peace of mind while respecting the local ecosystem.

If you encounter a shark:

• Stay calm and maintain eye contact
• Do not turn your back
• Use a solid object (snorkel, mask, fin) to gently deter it
• Most sharks will leave when they realise the object is not food

The protection of biodiversity is part of New Caledonia’s very DNA. Sharks, an important species in Kanak tradition and for the ecosystem, have always been part of the Caledonian environment, where people strive to live in harmony with them.

Sharks are particularly vulnerable due to their low reproductive rate and are increasingly threatened by global fishing pressure. They are therefore considered endangered today.

For this reason, since 2013, all sharks have been classified as protected species in New Caledonia. Fishing, transporting, trading, cutting, holding, or consuming all or part of a shark is strictly prohibited.

The term “shark” actually covers a wide variety of species in New Caledonia. Biologists have recorded at least 49 shark species here, out of 500 known worldwide. Most of these species pose no danger to humans if left undisturbed. Many of them can be easily observed during a snorkelling or scuba diving trip, including:

• Blacktip sharks
• Whitetip sharks
• Sleeper sharks
• Lemon sharks
• Grey reef sharks

Shark movements within the lagoon are closely studied by local authorities and environmental associations, allowing the main habitat zones to be identified and marked for sea users.

The largest species – including mako, tiger, hammerhead, and great white sharks – are usually found offshore, beyond the barrier reef, and only rarely enter the lagoon. While a few tiger shark incidents have been observed, humans are not their natural prey.

The bull shark, however, requires extra vigilance. Some individuals have settled near the coast and can occasionally display aggression towards humans, depending on the circumstances of the encounter.

By following these simple recommendations and exercising basic caution, you can swim safely in New Caledonia and fully enjoy our UNESCO World Heritage lagoon and its exceptional biodiversity.