Lighthouses of New Caledonia

One of the largest of the South Pacific countries, New Caledonia is an island chain located roughly 1600 km (1000 mi) east northeast of Australia. It was named in 1774 by the British explorer Capt. James Cook, but it has been a French territory since 1853. Currently it has the status of an autonomous commonwealth having a special relationship with France. Residents have rejected full independence in referenda held in 1987, in November 2018, and in October 2020. It is possible that the name of the country will be changed, although there is no agreement yet on a new name.

During World War II New Caledonia served as a base for Allied operations against Japanese forces in the southwest Pacific.

The country consists of one large island, called Grande Terre, and many smaller islands, including the Île des Pins to the southeast and the Îles Loyauté to the northeast. Grande Terre is oriented northwest to southeast, with the capital Nouméa on the west side near the southeastern end. The population of New Caledonia is about 275,000; roughly two thirds live in the metropolitan area of Nouméa.

For lighthouse fans, New Caledonia boasts one of the world's tallest cast iron towers, the Phare Amédée shown at right. There are also a number of smaller lighthouses; they are much less well known.

French is the official language of the country and more than three dozen indigenous languages are recognized. The French word for a lighthouse, phare, is often reserved for the larger coastal lighthouses; a smaller light or harbor light is called a feu (literally "fire," but here meaning "light") or a balise (beacon). The front light of a range (alignement) is the feu antérieur and the rear light is the feu postérieur. In French île is an island, cap is a cape, pointe is a promontory or point of land, roche is a rock, récife is a reef, baie is a bay, estuaire is an estuary or inlet, détroit is a strait, rivière is a river, and havre is a harbor.

The lighthouses of New Caledonia are managed by the Service des Phares et Balises, an office of DITTT, the ministry of infrastructure and transportation.

Special thanks to Heather Craven for her report and photos taken on a trip to view New Caledonian lighthouses in September 2023.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from volume K of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 111.

General Sources
Online List of Lights - New Caledonia
Photos by various photographers posted by Alexander Trabas. Most of the New Caledonia photos are by Rainer Arndt and Jim Smith.
Lighthouses in New Caledonia
Photos by various photographers available from Wikimedia.
World of Lighthouses - New Caledonia
Photos by various photographers available from Lightphotos.net.
Leuchttürme Australiens , Neuseelands und Ozeaniens auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Navionics Charts
Navigational chart for New Caledonia.

Phare Amédée
Phare Amédée, Le Mont-Dore, November 2009
Wikimedia Creative Commons photo by Eustaquio Santimano

Îles Loyauté Lighthouses
The Îles Loyauté (Loyalty Islands) are a chain of smaller islands east of the main island of New Caledonia and southwest of southern Vanuatu.
Île Lifou (Cap des Pins) (2?)
Date unknown. Inactive but listed with focal plane 90 m (295 ft); three white flashes, in a 2+1 pattern, every 15 s. Originally this was a 30 m (98 ft) tower, painted black with a white horizontal band at the base. The light lists now describe it as a pylon. When Craven visited in September 2023 she found only the square concrete equipment building seen in Google's satellite view; the lantern or tower had been removed. Her photo is available. Located on a promontory near the southeastern end of Lifou, largest and most populous of the Îles Loyauté. Site accessible by hiking the service road, a distance of about 4 km (2.5 mi); tower closed. ARLHS NCA-004; Admiralty K4834; NGA 3584.
* Port de Wé Pierhead (Musoir)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); quick-flashing red light. 5 m (16 ft) round concrete tower painted red. Craven has a photo and Google has a satellite view. Located on the main breakwater of Wé, the principal port of Île Lifou, on the east coast of the island. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K4835.2; NGA 3586.

L'Île-des-Pins Commune Lighthouses
The Île-des-Pins (Isle of Pines) is an island, very popular with tourists for its scenic beauty, about 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Grande Terre.

Îlot Infernal
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); three white flashes every 12 s. Approx. 14 m (46 ft) skeletal tower. A very distant view from the sea is available and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a tiny, forested island at the beginning of the channel to Vao, the principal town of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty K4830; NGA 3598.

Thio Commune (Eastern Grand Terre) Lighthouses
* Thio Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white flash every 2.5 s, synchronized with the rear light. 8 m (26 ft) post with a large round gallery. Craven has a photo and Google has a distant satellite view. Thio is a nickel mining town on the east coast of New Caledonia. Located beside a street in Thio. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K4784; NGA 3719.
Thio Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 84 m (276 ft); white flash every 2.5 s, synchronized with the front light. 9 m (30 ft) square skeletal tower. A large triangular daymark stands in front of the tower. Craven's photo is at right, Steve Barretteau has a distant view (lighthouse on the hillside at upper left) and Google has a satellite view. Located on the mountainside 395 m (1/4 mi) west of the front light. Site status unknown. Admiralty K4784.1; NGA 3719.1.

Thio Range Rear Light, Thio, September 2023
photo copyright Heather Craven; used by permission

Yaté Commune (Southeastern Grand Terre) Lighthouses
Cap Pouaréti (Puarati)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 90 m (295 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 15 m (59 ft) round gray concrete post with gallery, mounted on a square concrete base. Craven has a photo and Google has a satellite view. Located on a mountain slope on the southeastern coast of Grande Terre. Site status unknown, possibly open; an access road climbs the mountain with three switchbacks. ARLHS NCA-005; Admiralty K4790; NGA 3600.
Passe de Goro
Date unknown (1950s?). Active; focal plane 25 m (82 ft); white flash every 4 s. 26 m (85 ft) round stone or concrete tower with gallery but no lantern, painted white. Lionel Claudel's photo is at right, Pierre Alain Pantz has a recent photo, and Bing has a good satellite view. This light marks the entrance to Goro, the site of the world's largest nickel mine. Located on a reef off Goro at the northern entrance to the Havannah Channel at the southeastern tip of Grande Terre. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS NCA-003; Admiralty K4795; NGA 3604.

Le Mont-Dore Commune: Southern Passage Lighthouses
Récif Ioro (Leading Light)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 7 m (23 ft); white, red or green light depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 7 m (23 ft) hexagonal concrete tower, painted white with a red band at the top. Trabas has Smith's photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This was formerly the rear light of a range and the Admiralty continues to list the front light, although Bing's satellite view confirms its removal. The light leads vessels into the Canal de Havannah (Havannah Channel), a channel close inshore to the south end of Grande Terre. Located near the eastern end of a reef about 1.6 km (1 mi) off the south end of Grande Terre. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty K4797; NGA 3608.

Passe de Goro Light, Yaté, February 2016
ex-Google Plus photo by Lionel Claudel
[Cap N'Doua (Canal de Havannah) Range Front]
1932. Active; focal plane 117 m (384 ft); four white flashes every 15 s, synchronized with the rear light. A short post in front of a 3 m (10 ft) triangular white concrete daybeacon. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. This range guides ships in the Canal de Havannah, the narrow channel around the south end of Grand Terre. This light can be reached by a steep trail from the middle light. Located in a nature reserve on the point of the cape, at the southern end of Grande Terre. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Réserve naturelle du Cap N’Dua. Admiralty K4794; NGA 3612.
[Cap N'Doua (Canal de Havannah) Range Middle]
1932. Active; focal plane 132 m (433 ft); four white flashes every 15 s, synchronized with the rear light. A short post in front of a 3 m (10 ft) triangular white concrete daybeacon. Yannick Tendo has a 2015 photo, Craven has a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Located in a nature reserve on the point of the cape, at the southern end of Grande Terre. Accessible by a dirt road; parking provided. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Réserve naturelle du Cap N’Dua. Admiralty K4794.1; NGA 3616.
Cap N'Doua (Canal de Havannah) Common Range Rear (2)
1932 (station established 1892). Active; focal plane 189 m (620 ft); four white flashes every 15 s. 4 m (13 ft) round cast iron lantern mounted directly on a concrete base; 2nd order Fresnel lens in use. Trabas has Arndt's photo, Nam Nguyen has a 2015 street view (a portion is shown at right), a 2013 closeup and a second closeup are available, Paul Judd has a spectacular drone view, and Google has a satellite view. The first light here was on a mast. Located on the point of the cape at the southern end of Grande Terre. Accessible by a dirt road. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Réserve naturelle du Cap N’Dua. Admiralty K4794.2; NGA 3620.

Cap N'Doua Light, Cap N'Doua Reserve, June 2015
from a Google street view by Nam Nguyen
[Cap N'Doua Point Range Front]
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 125 m (410 ft); quick-flashing white light. 3 m (10 ft) white post. Downslope from the light is a white slatted daybeacon in form of a triangle pointed up. Trabas has Smith's photo, Paul Judd has a drone view from above the rear light and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This range guides vessels approaching Grande Terre from the south, including the Île-des-Pins. Locared about 400 m (0.25 mi) steeply downslope from the rear light. Site status unknown. Admiralty K4794.21; NGA 3621.
Bonne Anse (Baie Est, Récif de Bonne Anse)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); continuous light, white 2 s, green 2 s. 12 m (39 ft) round stone tower, painted white with a green band at the top. No lantern. A photo by S. Haskmann is at right, Trabas has Arndt's photo, Chris Kelly has a photo, and Bing has a satellite view. Located on a reef off the east entrance to the Baie du Prony, a sheltered anchorage at the southern end of Grande Terre. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS NCA-002; Admiralty K4799; NGA 3624.
Île Ouen (Canal Woodin South Side)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 64 m (210 ft); flash every 2.5 s, red to the east and white to the west. 7 m (23 ft) post topped by a roundlantern structure, painted with red and white horizontal bands and mounted on a square base. Trabas has Arndt's photo and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Île Ouen is a mountainous island about 8 km (5 mi) in diameter off the south end of Grande Terre; the Canal Woodin (Woodin Channel) is the strait between Île Ouen and Grand Terre. For eastbound vessels, the white light forms a range with the rear light of the Cap N'Doua Range, and for westbound vessels the red light marks the south side of the entrance to the strait. Located on heights at the northern end of Île Ouen. Site status unknown. Admiralty K4799.6; NGA 3628.
Canal Woodin North Side
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white or green light, depending on direction, 2 s on, 2 s off. 11 m (36 ft) tapered round stone tower with gallery but no lantern, painted white with a green band at the top. Trabas has Arndt's photo, Google has a closeup photo and Bing has a satellite view. Located just off the south coast of Grande Terre, on the north side of the Canal Woodin; many smaller ships use this protected passage to reach Nouméa. Accessible only by boat. ARLHS NCA-008; Admiralty K4799.5; NGA 3632.

Récif de Bonne Anse Light, Le Mont-Dore, July 2012
ex-Google Plus photo by S. Haskmann

Le Mont-Dore Commune: Nouméa Approach Lighthouses
Îlot Porc-Épic
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); three flashes every 12 s, white or green depending on direction. 5 m (16 ft) short mast atop a small 1-story round concrete equipment shelter. Philippe Monnier has a view from the sea, Trabas has Smith's distant view, Fatima Gebelin has an aerial photo, and Google has a satellite view. This leading light guides ships along the south coast between the Canal Woodin and Nouméa. Located on a small island about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of Nouméa. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS NCA-012; Admiralty K4800; NGA 3636.
Passe de Boulari Nord (Range Front)
1881. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); quick-flashing white light, intensified on the range line. 10 m (33 ft) octagonal solid masonry tower; the light is shown from a tall mast mounted atop the tower. Lighthouse painted white with a black and white checkerboard pattern facing the range. Trabas has Jim Smith's photo seen at right, Craven has a photo, Toby Smith has a view from the rear, and Google has a satellite view. This light is the front light of a range guiding ships through the narrow Passe de Boulari, the start of the approach to Nouméa. The Phare Amédée serves as the rear light. Located southwest of the Phare Amédée, just off the beach of the Îlot Amédée. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS NCA-011; Admiralty K4802; NGA 3640.
** Amédée
1865 (Léonce Reynaud). Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 55 m (180 ft) round 16-sided cast iron tower, painted white; solar-powered 250 mm lens. Eustaquio Santimano's photo is at the top of this page, Duncan Loxton has posted a fine closeup photo and another good photo, Menfes Qeddus has a fine 2003 photo, Trabas has Jim Smith's photo, Adrien Cretin has a 2008 aerial photo, Wikimedia has an article on the history of the lighthouse, Huelse has a historic postcard view, Silvio Casagrande has a street view at the base of the lighthouse, and Google has a good satellite view. This magnificent lighthouse, the pride of New Caledonia, is claimed locally to be the world's tallest cast iron tower. (This title probably belongs to the Cikoneng lighthouse in Java, which is 3 m (10 ft) taller). It was the first cast iron lighthouse built in France. The lighthouse was prefabricated in 1862, exhibited in Paris until 1864, then shipped halfway around the world and reassembled. Today it is New Caledonia's best known tourist attraction. Located on an island, the Îlot Amédée, inside the Passe de Boulari about 25 km (15 mi) south of Nouméa, the capital. Tours from Nouméa are available. Site open, tower open to guided tours. . ARLHS NCA-001; Admiralty K4802.1; NGA 3644.
Récif Tabou (Tabou Reef)
1890. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); four flashes every 12 s, red or white depending on direction. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted white with a red band at the top. Trabas has Jim Smith's closeup photo and Google has a satellite view. After entering the Passe de Boulari, vessels must make a turn to port to pass between the Phare Amédée and this light. Located on a reef about 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the Phare Amédée. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K4804; NGA 3648.

Passe de Boulari Range Front Light, Le Mont-Dore
photo copyright Jim Smith; used by permission

Nouméa Commune Lighthouses
Nouméa is the capital and largest city of New Caledonia and the only important port in the country. The city has a metropolitan population of about 180,000.

Îlot Maître
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); quick-flashing red light. 11 m (36 ft) tapered round stone tower with gallery but no lantern, painted white with a red band at the top. Trabas has Smith's photo and Google has a good satellite view. This light guides ships arriving from the Passe de Boulari. The island is the site of the L'Escapade Island Resort. Located on the reef southeast of a small island about 8 km (5 mi) southwest of Nouméa. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. ARLHS NCA-009; Admiralty K4800.5; NGA 3652.
Îlot Nou Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); four white flashes every 15 s, synchronized with the front light and intensified on the range line. 10 m (33 ft) white mast attached or adjaacent to a square 1-story white equipment building. Craven's photo is at right, Trabas has Arndt's photo, and Google has a satellite view. This range guides ships on the channel after they pass Îlot Maître. The Île Nou, just west of Nouméa, is now connected to the mainland by a causeway. Admiralty K4812; NGA 3656.
Îlot Nou Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); four white flashes every 15 s, synchronized with the front light and intensified on the range line. Light displayed from a short mast atop a small 1-story square concrete equipment shelter. No current photo available but Google has a satellite view. Located on a ridge at the highest point of the island, 380 m (1/4 mi) north northwest of the front light. Site status unknown, may be accessible. Admiralty K4812.1; NGA 3660.

Îlot Nou Range Front Light, Nouméa, September 2023
photo copyright Heather Craven; used by permission
* Îlot Nou Northwest Point
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); green flash every 4 s. 4 m (13 ft) mast atop a square white equipment building. Trabas has Jim Smith's closeup photo, Craven has a photo, Silvio Casagrande has a closeup street view, and Google has a satellite view. This light guides vessels entering thorugh the Passe de Dumbea (the closest pass to Nouméa) or the Passe de Uitoe farther north. Located atop a vertical cliff at the northwestern tip of Île Nou. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K4811; NGA 3664.
* Nouméa Cathédrale (Petite Passe Range Front)
1970s. Inactive since 2019. 26 m (85 ft) gray stone tower, the south tower of the Cathédrale de St.-Joseph. Lightphotos.net has Jan de Jonge's photo; in this photo the front light peeks over the top of the right tower and the rear light, on a tall white mast, is seen just to the left of the left tower. A good photo of the facade of the church is available, Helen Farley has a street-level photo of the south tower, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This range was discontinued in 2019. Located on a hillside overlooking downtown Nouméa. Site open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty K4816; NGA 3676.
* Grande Rade (Leading Light, Range Rear)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 104 m (341 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) light mounted atop a 2-story square white concrete building, described by the Admiralty as the "Old Semaphore Tower." Trabas has Erich Hartmann's photo, Craven has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. This is an entrance range for the section of the harbor north of the Îlot Nou. The front light is on a 12 m (39 ft) post near the waterfront. Located on a hilltop (a popular viewpoint) above the city. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K4811.51; NGA 3662.
* [Îlot Signal]
1883. Daybeacon, never lit. Approx. 10 m (33 ft) round chimney-like tower of white coral stone. A photo is at right, a distant view is available, and Google has a satellite view. Sometimes described as the premier phare (first lighthouse) of Nouméa, this daybeacon helped guide ships through the Passe de la Dumbéa, a narrow pass much closer to Nouméa than the Passe de Boulari used by larger vessels today. If pilots can see the white tower through the opening in the reef, they can enter by steering directly towards it. This is the third beacon built on this location, the first being a simple pyramid constructed in 1850. Located on the southwestern tip of Îlot Signal, a small island about 20 km (13 mi) west of Nouméa. Accessible only by boat, but boat transportation is available from several providers in Nouméa. Site open.
Îlot Signal Daybeacon
Îlot Signal Daybeacon, Nouméa, August 2009
Flickr photo copyright charlotte_dul; used by permission

Bourail Commune Lighthouse
* Gouaro
1892. Inactive since 1912. Lantern mounted at the front of a 1-story concrete keeper's cottage. A photo is at right, a 2017 closeup is available, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Obviously endangered. The light guided vessels into the protected Baie de Gouaro. The site is popular for its spectacular view. Located on a steep bluff overlooking the bay at Gouaro, a village 170 km (105 mi) northwest of Nouméa. Site open, tower closed.

Poya Commune Lighthouse
Récif de Béco (Passe de Mouéo)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); green flash every 4 s, 10 m (33 ft) post with a lantern structure. Post painted white, lantern green. No photo available but Bing has a satellite view. Located on the south side of a pass through the reef leading to the port of Népoui. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty K4787.4; NGA 3700.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:


Gouaro Light, Bourail, 2011
Wikimedia public domain photo by Roman.b

Adjoining pages: North: Vanuatu | West: Coral Sea Islands

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Posted January 2, 2006. Checked and revised November 8, 2023. Lighthouses: 23. Site copyright 2023 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.