Swimming Safety Precautions

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.

Where to Swim in New Caledonia?

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.

How to React to a Shark?

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

Which Species Are Protected in New Caledonia?

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.

Which Sharks Are Found in New Caledonia?

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 .

©Observe sharks in the lagoon of New Caledonia|Dean Cropp - Access All Angles

Understanding Shark Safety

in New Caledonia

In New Caledonia, as in many tropical destinations, people and sharks have coexisted for centuries. While a few rare recent attacks have caused understandable concern among bathers, the shark risk remains statistically low. By following local safety advice and simple preventive measures, you can further reduce the risk and fully enjoy the world’s largest lagoon, renowned for its incredible biodiversity and healthy shark populations.

Nouméa: temporary restriction on swimming and water sports

Following the shark incident that occurred on Sunday 22 February in Nouméa, local authorities and the Southern Province have implemented coordinated precautionary measures.

With the exception of the shark-net protected swimming areas at Baie des Citrons and Château Royal, swimming and water activities are temporarily suspended within 300 metres of the shoreline in Nouméa, as well as around Duck Island and Îlot Maître, until and including 4 March.

As part of these measures, a targeted shark control operation focusing on tiger and bull sharks will commence on Tuesday 24 February.

Shark incidents

in New Caledonia

A recent study by HAL-IRD recorded 67 shark-related incidents between 1958 and 2020, including 13 fatalities. Most incidents involved underwater hunters (58.5%), followed by swimmers (18.5%) and board-sports enthusiasts (14%). In recent years, following several attacks, local authorities have been monitoring the situation very closely and have systematically implemented a range of preventive and forward-looking measures to anticipate any risk, such as installing anti-shark protective nets in Nouméa’s bays.

Globally, New Caledonia ranks 13th for shark attacks since 1580, far behind countries like Australia (715 attacks), South Africa (262), or Hawaii (179). This puts the risk into perspective: dramatic events are statistically isolated compared to other natural hazards.

As the lagoon remains healthy and teeming with life thanks to strong environmental protections, it is essential to follow simple rules to avoid “risky behaviour” – actions that could startle sharks, provoke a defensive reaction, or make humans appear like prey.

Did you know? Sharks cause fewer than 10 fatalities worldwide each year, compared to 1,000 from crocodiles, 25,000 from dogs, and 800,000 from mosquitoes!

Frequently asked questions about risk in New Caledonia

Swimming Safety Precautions
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.
Where to Swim in New Caledonia?
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.
How to React to a Shark?
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
Which Species Are Protected in New Caledonia?
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.
Which Sharks Are Found in New Caledonia?
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.