Going to New Cal for a kite trip the 2 weeks before Christmas.
Going to spend some time in Noumea to kite but also want to get out and about and see Lifou and Isle de Pines and wondering what the kiting is like on those islands if there is any.
was in Lifou last month just doing the touristy stuff
I didn't see anywhere suitable for kiting but I didn't tour the whole island. It was certainly windy enough though.
Haven't been to the Isle of Pines.
You are not allowed to kite Isle of Pines (its an island rule i think). If you do go to Isle of Pines leave your kite gear in the hotel in Noumea as the planes are only very small.
I don't know about Lifou. Pretty sure you can kite there
I arrived a little bit after the contest last year about December 4 after spending some time in Isle of Pines (to keep wife happy) last year and got 7 days of over 25 knots in Noumea. Some days the wind started and you could be out early in the morning. Very steady and very reliable wind. Very fond memories of this special place.
Local kiters were all great guys and were up for a chat. Its like everywhere as long as you have respect. One guy even drove me to back to the hotel. There were a few tools but you get that everywhere.
The locals did tell me that the wind comes in cycles of 4-7 days. They had a name for it which i can't remember (something like azure). What this means is i was lucky as i could have had a period of four or so days witrh no wind.
Obviously there will be better people to ask but that was my experience.
Bennie,
I agree there were a heap of places that you could kite there.
I think its got something to do with local island people customs / religion. Maybe i got fed BS but i am pretty sure it was stated in guide books and other places.
Went to Isles of Pines few years back, and it was wicked!! We kited everyday. Not sure on what the rules are with no kiting on the island.
We were in a 40ft Sail cat and had 8 days of bliss and kited all the islands.
XX angie
Troy Gibson is over there now and I believe is planning to run tours at same stage. PM "mergatroy".
Can anyone else confirm on Isle of pines ,heading there in december,and noumea but will be bored s**tless if i cant kite.
Noumea - definitely the place for kiting. So much open space, super consistent wind. Cant go wrong here. Anse Vata Bay - out and around the island is where it all happens. Lots of 7m kites around.
Ouvea - Amazing beaches - very gusty, lots of thick trees around making it difficult to launch. Take the snorkel and towel instead.
Lifou - Jumped in a 'taxi' (some locals clapped out old van), took me for about a 20min drive to a pretty decent bay. Medium / deep water. Once again gusty, rocky outcrops, lots of trees on the beach.
Island of Pines - I didn't kite here (no wind), but there was a reasonable open beach where they hire out water equipment. I had my kite gear with me and no one told me I couldn't use it. Maybe the issue is the open space is near the harbor and where all the Cruise passengers hang out. Possibly people aren't too happy with kites flying too close to their pride and joy and amongst 1000 people in the water. Maybe if you can get out and find a remote beach, like the winner Angie found!
My memory of this was hazy so i looked back at the info I had given your various responses.
Antoine from Noumea Kitesurfing school told me in an email you are not allowed to kite there (this was after i picked up on the strange rule in a lonely planet I think). I have his email. He was very helpful with everything else.
Obviously Angi had a boat and was offshore so hence no pronblem.
I did not get a chance to test out the rule becuase Quantas lost my kite gear for four days while i was there. Luckily it arrived when I touched down in noumea. Given what i was told i doubt i would have tried anyway.
So your best to check with the local shops / kiters before kiting.
Found a bit more info - on Isle de Pines there is 2 beaches your "allowed" to kite everywhere else on the island requires permision from the locals. Doesn't look like Lifou has much but hey I could use a couple days in a chair with a book or floating in the water with my swim fins.
I will say starting to runn across some stuff of the east coast which could be interested.
Thanks for the shots Angi, we sent the Kite Cruise guys an e-mail to see if they had an extra spot on a charter but the answer was no..... bummer.
We went a couple years ago on a 2 for 1 promo but looking to see a little more this time.
Antione is a super nice guy - he took us out to the reef to kite the waves when we we're there last time - unfortunetly I had a "slight" (1 hour) incounter with the reef.
