Italofa: New Caledonia

Italofa: New Caledonia has no more secrets for you

A 24,000 km² lagoon inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nearly 1,600 km of reefs where green turtles, dugongs and banded sea kraits cross paths. Forests where the cagou walks, the bird that cannot fly, and where Amborella grows, the oldest living lineage of flowering plants on the planet. From mid-July to mid-September, humpback whales come to calve in the Far South. Seen from the sky, the Heart of Voh, the cover of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's "Earth from Above". And offshore, Ouvéa, "the island closest to heaven".

Welcome to New Caledonia: one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots, where three quarters of the plants exist nowhere else. A vast, wild territory, still off the beaten track, if you know where to look.

That is what Italofa is for: the free, 100% offline guide to New Caledonia, designed here on the island. Whether you live here or are just passing through, find activities, events, restaurants, accommodation, natural sites and practical services around you, from Nouméa to the far end of the Bush, even without a signal.

FROM THE LAGOON TO THE MOUNTAIN CHAIN

- Snorkel over the reefs of the UNESCO-listed lagoon, in the heart of the Coral Sea Natural Park: 1.3 million km², France's largest marine protected area.

- Swim in the Oro natural pool on the Isle of Pines: a basin of crystal-clear water carved into the coral.

- Hike the GR NC1 for 7 days: 107 km from Prony to Dumbéa, across the red earth of the Far South.

- Watch for the blow of humpback whales from Cap N'Dua, in season.

- Explore the drowned forest of Yaté lake and greet the Giant Kauri of the Blue River park, a 40-metre giant.

- Lay your towel on the white sand of Lifou, Maré and Ouvéa, in the Loyalty Islands.

EXPERIENCE KANAK AND CALEDONIAN CULTURE

- Sleep in a tribal village, share a bougna cooked underground on hot stones, discover Kanak customs.

- Push open the doors of the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, designed by Renzo Piano.

- Feel the rhythm of the markets, the Bush fairs and the village festivals.

AT THE TABLE

- Blue prawns, venison, lagoon fish, vanilla from Lifou: from Nouméa's restaurants to roadside snacks, New Caledonia is worth tasting.

AN APP BUILT FOR THE TERRITORY

- 100% offline interactive map: in the Bush or on the Islands, the network may drop. Your information won't.

- Events calendar: concerts in Nouméa, markets, fairs and festivals across the 33 communes.

- Weather for every commune, to pick the right day for the lagoon or the trail.

- Accommodation: hotels, tribal guesthouses, campsites, ecolodges.

- Practical services on the road: fuel stations, pharmacies, ATMs.

- Favorites and search by category or commune: build your own itinerary.

Things to do in Nouméa this weekend? Where to stay in Lifou? Which trail to take in Hienghène? Italofa has the answer, with or without a connection.

Download Italofa for free and explore an extraordinary country: the lagoon, the mountain chain, the Islands. New Caledonia awaits.