Koumac – Marina, beaches and mangroves

Park at the seawater swimming pool; there are plenty of spaces in the area.

(S/E) Follow the road southwards to reach the marina, walking alongside the ocean.

(1) Stay on the road, which curves to the right, or walk along the beach if you prefer. Walk past the kayaking club, then the Skipper’s Restaurant.

(2) At the entrance to the marina, turn right for a round trip along the quays to admire the boats.

(2) On your return, rejoin the main road heading north. Then take the first right, Rue Raymond Wahoo, and follow it around the circular bend to the left. Take the cul-de-sac on the right, then continue straight ahead along a short stretch where there is no path (you’ll have to trudge through the undergrowth) until you find the access path to the Pandop flying site.

(3) Carry on along the track to the left heading north, go straight on at the first junction, then continue to the next one.

(4) Turn right and carry on along this path to reach the beach on the eastern side of Pointe de Pandop. Then walk along the beach, passing the lagoon campsite on your left, and continue until you reach the remarkable stretch of mangrove.

(5) At low tide, continue along the beach until you reach the mouth of a small stream which blocks your path any further.

(6) Return to the lagoon campsite,

(5) Take the campsite road northwards. Walk alongside Étang Kûûi, which is very pretty when it isn’t dry, then carry on straight on until you reach the junction with the Route de Pandop. Turn left and head for the car park by the seawater swimming pool (S/E).

An accessible and easy walk, but best done at a fairly low tide to enjoy the mangrove section.

Marina, beaches, remarkable mangrove forest, Koumac Lagoon.