The most popular day trip from Noumea is the cruise to Amadee Island, and despite the price, it is definitely well worth it! I am not usually one for taking a touristy cruise on a ‘luxury’ boat but after reading the reviews we decided that this is one trip we just shouldn’t miss! (Read more about other things to do in Noumea here). Amadee Island and the surrounding lagoon is named on the UNESCO World Heritage List and marked as a special marine reserve (which amongst other things means no-one can stay overnight on the island) to protect the precious flora, fauna and sea life.

After being picked up at our hotel and driving to the harbour we boarded the Mary-D Princess, which was air conditioned, modern and very comfortable with enough space for our energetic four and one years olds to roam around a little. Our forty-five minute cruise passed in no time (thanks to coffee and croissants!) and then we found ourself at a little jetty overlooking the island and the famous white, metal Amadee Lighthouse.

Beach time

Once on shore we made a bee-line to the beach set out with sun loungers, took a deep breath and soaked in the pure, rustic, natural beauty of this tiny tropical paradise. We had seen plenty of photographs of Amadee Island but nothing quite prepared us for its perfection. As if things couldn’t get better we headed out into the fresh, deep turquoise, impossibly clear water and were just mere metres from the beach when we were greeted by a giant turtle swimming around in search of sea grass, and then another turtle, and another until there must have been five within arms reach. What an awe-inspiring sight to be able to show our children these majestic creatures up close.

Glass bottom boat

After some swimming, snorkelling and lazing about it was our turn for a trip on the glass-bottom boat. Our big girl Layla was very excited! We saw plenty of fish, coral and in the words of my daughter, ‘an upside down fish that stuck to the bottom of the boat’ plus we came up close and personal with another turtle which had a sucker fish attached to its under side. The guide shared lots of really interesting knowledge with us, and helped teach us about the precious ecosystem and how we can help care for it.

Lunch and a show

The tour on the Mary-D Princess included lunch and a show of traditional New Caledonian song and dance and although the the thought of this makes me want to roll my eyes it really was a lot of fun (especially watching my 18 month old join the ladies on stage for a bit of hip shaking) and the food was delicious. There was plenty of options for us vegetarians including heaps of healthy salads, plus delicious desserts, punch, wine, beer and icecream. Happy parents and happy children!

Wander and discovering the island

The island itself is tiny (400 metres long and 270 metres wide) but worth taking a stroll around, which is exactly what we did post-lunch. We took a look around the bottom of the light house and walked through a little shrub lined pathway over to the windswept beach on the opposite side of the island. Our last stop was a visit to the gift shop and cafe where there is also a little post box where you can send a postcard to friends and families with one of the coolest post marks around!

Amadee Phare (Lighthouse)

Andy and the children were well and truly ready for a bit more beach time by now, and it was very tempting to stay with them, but I decided to take my camera and make a trip to the top of the lighthouse. The Amedee lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses in the world in the world’s largest lagoon. It was steeper than I imagined and my legs were like jelly once I had walked up and down the 247-odd steps but it was worth the effort. The view from the top was stunning! I could see Layla playing on the beach (and even hear her joyful singing!).

The lighthouse, which stands 56 metres high, was built in 1861 due to many shipwrecks entering the lagoon around Amadee Island. It was originally built in Paris, where it stayed for two years, before being dismantled into 1,265 pieces and transported first along a barge on the Seine River, then on to its home in New Caledonia.

View from the top of the lighthouse

We walked up the jetty to board the boat back to our hotel salty, sandy, sweaty and exhausted, but very happy. A turtle glided gracefully and effortlessly under our feet as we left the island, making for the perfect farewell to a day we will never forget.