Emblematic animals

The New Caledonian archipelago boasts a wealth of endemic fauna and flora, with many species freely thriving in pristine natural settings. New Caledonia, due to its remote location and carefully regulated tourism policies, remains a destination where tourist sites are seldom visited. In comparison to Reunion or Guadeloupe, the archipelago welcomes only a fraction of the tourists, offering a distinct advantage for observing unique plant and animal species. Make sure to include visits to the Parc Zoologique et Forestier and the Aquarium des Lagons in Nouméa during your stay to gain insights into the diverse wildlife of New Caledonia.

Graceful and majestic, manta rays can attain an impressive wingspan of up to seven metres, weighing nearly two tons! These sea giants exhibit high intelligence and curiosity, offering memorable encounters for those venturing on scuba dives or, with a stroke of luck, simply equipped with a mask and fins. Although present throughout the year in the waters of New Caledonia, the period between February and June provides the best opportunity to come across these captivating creatures. Prime locations for manta ray sightings include the vicinity of Nouméa, the Pléiades in Ouvéa, the Upi Bay on the Isle of Pines from a pirogue, or during a boat excursion to the islets Brosse and Moro…

The bats, being the only mammals capable of flight in this list, naturally inhabit New Caledonia and have not been introduced. There are four species of fruit bats in the territory: the roussette rousse (most well-known for its beautiful coat of long, reddish hair), the roussette noire, the roussette des cailloux, and the smaller roussette à queue. These emblematic bat species of New Caledonia, found on Grande Terre and the islands, are protected due to their high vulnerability. Females, in particular, give birth to only one young per year at best. Observing them is possible from the tree tops, cave entrances, or in cavities within limestone rocks.