• Enjoy some superb snorkelling and diving in marine reserves and around sunken shipwrecks. Favourite sites include around Nouméa, the Amédée Lighthouse Reserve (including shark feeding), La Dieppoise (Royal Navy shipwreck), Ilot Maître, the Prony Needle, the Tenia Horn, the Fault and the Hienghene Reef.

• Try your hand at windsurfing. The Bay of Anse Vata and Côte Blanche, both in Nouméa, are the most popular locations. International competitions such as the Trophée des Alizés attract some of the world's top competitors.

• Relax on a fishing expedition. The coral barrier reef off Nouméa is excellent for underwater spearfishing, as are waters around the Loyalty Islands. Ouvéa Island's lagoon is rich in fish. The main location for freshwater fishing is Yaté Lake, open January to October.

• Go whale watching. From July to September, humpback whales can be spotted during the mating season in the bays of the southern lagoon and Lifou. Excursions are organised from Nouméa and south mainland to spot them.

• Take a boat trip. Excursions in Melanesian outrigger canoes are organised at the Ile des Pins. Or goggle at the coral reefs through glass-bottomed boats. Sailing boats can be chartered with or without a skipper.

• Hire a kayak or canoe to explore New Caledonia's network of rivers, streams and lakes.

• Strike out on a hiking trip into the interior. Arrangements can be made in the capital. Botanical excursions through the forest of Mount Koghi (with French- or English-speaking guides) are also available.

• Saddle up and go horse riding. Excursions are organised from Nouméa, Dumbea, La Foa, Bourail, Thio and the Koné villages. These vary from simple rides to major expeditions crossing the mountain range, mustering cattle and camping in the mountains.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.