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Îlot Larégnère, along with Îlot Signal and Îlot Amédée, is one of Noumea’s most beautiful day trip destinations. While the very large seagrass beds surrounding the islet are visited by green turtles, you can also discover a bit further a vibrant reef where sharks, lobsters, sea krait and reef fish live.

Blacktip reef shark in Laregnere Island
Blacktip reef sharks occasionally visit the shallow flat near the beach.

How to get to Ilot Larégnère snorkeling spot?

Îlot Larégnère is located about 25 minutes sailing west of Nouméa. The taxi boats run almost daily. If you have your own boat, mooring buoys are available on site.

Access to the island is free. You will arrive on the north side of the island, where the beach is located.

Laregnere Island snorkeling map, New Caledonia

Water entrance for snorkeling Ilot Larégnère

Recommended water entrance from the beach, on the northern shore of the islet. Depending on the tides, it is possible to enter the water all around the islet, but you will then have to swim a lot more to reach the reef areas.

Ilot Larégnère snorkeling exploration tips

Îlot Larégnère shore waters have several reefs and seagrass areas, which you can locate on the map above.

School of snappers in Laregnere Island
A school of snappers sheltering near a rocky ridge.

The closest reef to the beach is the shallowest (↕2-6ft/0.5-2m). Further away from the islet, the depth increases to quickly reach 10 to 15 ft/3 to 5m.

The seagrass beds are the best place to spot green sea turtles, which are very common at this location. They are mostly seen feeding, occasionally coming up to the surface to breathe.

Sea turtle in Laregnere Island
Ilot Larégnère resident green sea turtles are easily sighted, including at very shallow depths.

You can of course encounter sea turtles elsewhere, especially at reefs and in sandy areas.

The deep coral areas are pretty healthy and include beautiful branching coral in which whitetail dascyllus and fire clownfish hide. Jacks, emperors, snappers, parrotfish and groupers are also frequently encountered close to the reefs, which is part of a no-take area.

Coral reef at Laregnere Island
Ilot Larégnère coral reef.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Îlot Laregnére is a natural site, with no restaurant or water supply. Picnic tables and barbecues are available on the beach, as well as dry toilets (bring your paper). It is totally forbidden to collect wood on the island.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth20ft/6m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsCost of the taxi boat
  • Restaurants nearbyNo
  • Public toilets & showersDry toilets (bring paper)

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.