Reef snorkeling gets you in the water; the lighthouse gets you above it. To keep the water at something resembling eye level, kayak the Dumbéa River, a short trip from Nouméa. The river runs through a stunning valley and makes a fun paddle for the experienced or a great place to learn kayaking for the novice. Plus, you get to drop “You know, once when I was kayaking in New Caledonia...” into conversations for the rest of your life.
