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New Caledonia lagoon.The lagoon covers 23.000 square km and its length is 1600 km,
without disruption. There are 350 varieties of coral and 2700 species of fish.
The reef is partially Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO), dated June 7, 2008 (meeting of Quebec). Six marine groups representing the main diversity of coral reefs and
associated ecosystems in the archipelago of french are concerned : the reef d'Entrecasteaux, the great lagoon north, followed by a north-east coastal area,
Ouvéa, a small west coastal area and the south lagoon.
Some "buffer zones" (unclassified)
Polynesian lagoons. The most important lagoons of Polynesia are those of Tuamotu atolls, which virtually have no longer land in the middle. There is of course Rangiroa, but also some others settings for diving, as Fakareva. As in New Caledonia, there would also be 350 species of coral reefs.
The Australian Great Barrier covers a discontinuous area of 350,000 square km over 2000 km long (3000 reefs, more than 2000 islands), there are 500 varieties of corals).
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One can observe small groups within a metre of water or less, in Noumea, Bora Bora or elsewhere (see homepage hibis). Get goggles or diving, unless you too afraid to put his nose in the water because standing in the water, you can see a mini scattered coral, fish with a fish partner(s), and sometimes more, in a few one meter deep water of the public beach. | Excursions marine and submarine are available if you have a little time and some money : sailing and motor, windsurfing, surfing windsurfing, water skiing - diving, trail submarine (islet Noumea), boats glass bottom , and even a "SP700" submarine (Bora Bora and Noumea, Dumbéa pass / lighthouse Amédée). I don't talk about fish feeding, it's your choice. A short flight is also a rare pleasure (plane, helicopter) |
Islands of Polynesia (motu) are circulars alignments, cut by a bit of
shallow water, componant of the reef.
My brief experience do not allow me to say more, and possibilities must be seen locally.
The most beautiful are generally "occupied" (private property or hotel).
From there, unlike New Caledonia, you will see the fall fairly close (outside the lagoon, deep sea), where the corals are best prepared.
There are fringing reefs on the edge of land or islands. The interior of the Polynesian lagoon is enchanting by its shades,
but most often, it has a very limited life, if any.
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The lagoon extends between the island itself and girdles of limestone built by the corals, which still live close to surface ( generally in
a few meters of water).
The thickness of this limestone belt can reach several hundred meters (see "The Corals" It erodes and crumble with tempests and the time. The reef circle a lagoon which is larger on the side protected from the wind (which has to cross over the island). On this side, slopes are lower too.
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It is also the case for the islands of Mélanésie (Vanuatu - ex New Hebrides), of Hawaii or of the Indian Ocean.
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The sun is not always shining and the lagoon not always a still lake then, it won't be plain sailing and you could can be shaked and "sprinkled" if the wind rises, even with a large boat. Always think streams could be dangerous, mainly near the passes. look at the tides charts (see " risks and dangers " at the bas and fondoc (true stories).
The Corals builders always do not form a lagoon : indeed, the reefs known as "fringing" are established at the edge of the shore or next to. (Pines Island, NC) In fact, reefs are edging the coast at the beginning, in shallow water ; it's only when the ground sink slowly that corals begin to built in high (example, 3 cm a year). NC tourisme
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Motus in Polynesia, islets in New Caledonia
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