Sports and Activities
For all water sports and leisure, two Jayak Surfari speedboats offer the possibility to go surfing, to go on eco tours or to simply get dropped off on a coral island surrounded by the aquamarine waters of the lagoon.

From the surf camp you can access a wide range of exciting activities when you want to get out there and experience some of New Caledonia’s sights and attractions. The camp can organise on demand for you to discover the hinterland with bush walks, horse back tours, and canyoning adventures.

Also if you want to fully appreciate the beauty of New Caledonia in the most radical way you can skydive in tandem. You’ll find that jumping from 11000 feet guarantees the best view on the mountain chain, the world’s biggest lagoon and the Pacific Ocean.

Summary of activities

  1. The Surf – world class – Ouano the unknown beauty of the Pacific
  2. Snorkelling
  3. Kitesurfing, windsurfing
  4. Fishing
  5. Ouano – Cultural tour with the local tribe
  6. Canyoning
  7. Horse riding
  8. Bush walks
  9. Skydiving
  10. Golfing

1. The surf 

Surfing in New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a great surf destination all year round, however the best surfing season starts with the austral winter in May and goes until October. At this time of the year swell frequencies are the best, waves range from 5 to 15 feet, wind conditions are optimal. Water temperature averages 22° Celsius in winter. A shorty can be handy for early morning surfs and the wind factor, but many surf in rash tops. Summer can be great also with clean South East swells and decent size from 2 to10 feet. Water temperature averages 26° Celsius in summer.

Ouano

Surfing at Ouano is exclusively on coral reef. The break is located in a channel of the barrier reef, about ten km off shore and these can only be accessed by boat. The ride is worthwhile as the Ouano pass offers world class surfing.
Jayak surfari speed boat service will take you out to the spot in 20 minutes. The boat takes you out to the left every day but on those rare days that the surf quality is not there the boat captain may decide to take you to other spots.

Ouano – The left

« The Left » is the most consistent surf spot in New Caledonia.  It can be ridden from 2-15 feet with various swell directions (from South-West to South-East). The trade winds are off shore for this break so it can handle up to 15 knots of south-easterly winds.
« The Left », 300 m long, can offer day-to-day variety of perfect, big barrels or playful long lines wrapping around the reef. It can be good on any tide but it is usually best with the upcoming tide. On the good days, three sections connect, making it a great ride, with slow cut back material sections between speedy barrel sections.

« The Left » at Ouano is frequently visited by local surfers, more so during week ends. The atmosphere is warm and locals welcome surfers with a positive and respectful attitude. So don’t forget that these people are sharing their world class  waves with you…

Ouano – The right
« Ouano – The right» is a fast wave with a great barrel section but it is less consistent and shorter than the left. This break is just across the pass from the left, about 5 minutes by speedboat. It is a good option with south-west swell direction from 4 to 10 feet, and no wind.

Others spots
There are other spots, lefts and rights, around the Ouano barrier reef
that are good to surf with moderate swells at mid tide.

What you should bring:
Two boards (at least): your usual beach break board will go well under 6 feet, but take a board for 6 feet and over waves. If you snap your boards there are some available for sale on the camp.
A shorty from May to September, rashies are all you need for the rest of the year.
Booties are recommended to avoid nasty reef cuts and to walk on the islands.
A lot of sunscreen, surf hats and sun glasses.
Snorkelling gear to check the surf from down under, see the beautiful reef life that lies just under your boards!

2. Snorkelling 

Dive in warm and clear waters in the lagoon and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific ocean. See exotic and multicoloured fish, sea turtles, dolphins, sea snakes, live coral…
From the boat you can see dugongs and dolphins all year round and whales from July to September.

Don’t forget your mask, snorkel, fins and sun screen !

To go snorkelling you have two options:
1- Take the taxi boat to Kondoyo island which is just in front of the camp, 5 minutes away by speedboat. Snorkel from the white sand beach whenever you feel like it.

2- Take an eco tour:
the program: the boat takes off at 8 am.
On the way out keep your eyes open for dugongs, dolphins, turtles and flying fish.
Visit the ‘Eeziay’ natural pools on the barrier reef and snorkel in this safe and amazing environment.
Go past the huge ‘Ever Prosperity’ ship wreck, also called titanic.
Around 12 pm you can either get dropped back at the surf camp for lunch or have lunch on Kondoyo island.

3. Kite Surfing and Windsurfing

There are a few other activities for people who like water at Ouano. Depending on the season everybody can enjoy the pleasure of the ocean, but for these you need to bring your own gear.

Kite surf : strong trade winds (20-25 knots) in the afternoons during summertime offer perfect conditions for kite surfers. At high tide you can start from the surf camp’s beach and go for a long ride in the lagoon. The boat can take experienced kiters out to the barrier reef so they can enjoy the waves. World kite tour comes once a year to New Caledonia in November, and Ouano is the place they come to for waves.
Windsurf : the same strong trade winds during summertime provide unforgettable rides for windsurfers in the lagoon or, for the expert, on the world class « Left » which world famous windsurfer Robert Teritehau never fails to ride every time he comes back home from Hawaii.

4. Fishing

 Our fishing guide can take you out on his boat to catch exotic and delicious fish like yellow fin tuna, coral trout, mahi mahi, wahoo, giant trevally, swordfish,  barracuda, etc,  depending on the season and weather conditions. Our guide has a particular liking for fly fishing, but does all types of fishing (popper, jigg, etc). 

5. Cultural tour
 
You will have the opportunity to go to the tribe discover the Kanak way of life, share rare moments with them and taste their traditional bougna (pronounced boonia). You can also go for a quick bush-walk with a guide to discover the Caledonian fauna (lots of deer) and flora.

6. Canyoning

Experience the thrill of canyoning down the Dony waterfalls. The excursion starts at 8 am in La Foa, and ends mid afternoon. Involves an hour driving, 2 hours walk and three hours of canyoning. No experience needed. 

7. Horse Riding

The La Foa ranch is just 20 minutes away and organises horse back tours (half day or 2 hours).  
Start from the valley, cruise through the forest all the way to the hill tops for a fantastic panorama of the village, the mountain chain and the lagoon. 

8. Bushwalks

Louis from the Oua Tom Tribe will be your host. As an experienced guide he can teach you a lot  about the secrets of the mountains and can take care of both beginners and confirmed trekkers.

9. Skydiving

A fully certified Sky diving club, affiliated to the French Federation, operates on the nearby air strip, just 5 minutes from the surf camp. The club offers the possibility to go tandem sky diving from 11000 feet, which will give you a good 40 seconds to appreciate the mighty power of gravity. Then the instructor will open the parashoot and keep you hang gliding for ten minutes. Requires a medical check up, and a 20 minutes briefing. You can get a video of your jump for an extra cost.

10. Golfing
The « Paillotes de la Ouenghi » golf club is half an hour away from Ouano. This offers the possibility for surfers to surf in the morning and play golf in the afternoon.