Poindimié
©
Poindimié

Poindimié

East-coast New Caledonian town and lagoon base, close to Tiéti reef and Kanak valleys.

Poindimié is the largest town on Grande Terre's east coast, roughly halfway between Nouméa and Hienghène on the long, slow RT3 coastal road. It is essentially a one-street settlement strung along the lagoon, with the central marché communal doubling as the social heart of the surrounding tribal communities.

This is not a destination in its own right so much as a base. The reason to stop is the lagoon — protected by an outer reef, the water here is clear and full of fish, and the Plage de Tiéti just north of town is the most accessible beach on the whole east coast. The reef pass off Tiéti is one of New Caledonia's better-known dive sites, with regular sightings of reef sharks and turtles. Behind the coast, the Tchamba and Amoa valleys run inland into Kanak tribal land and rainforest.

Poindimié has the only proper hotel between Bourail and Hienghène, a modest petrol station strip, and a small airport with sporadic Air Calédonie flights from Magenta. Most travellers arrive by car, having driven up over the central range from the west coast. Allow a night here if you are doing the east coast loop properly — it breaks up the long drive, and the snorkelling makes it worthwhile.

Guide

Getting There

Poindimié is roughly 310 kilometres from Nouméa by road — about a five-hour drive, or longer if you take the slower (and much more scenic) east coast route via Canala. Most travellers come over the central range on the cross-island road from Bourail, which is the easiest approach. A hire car is essentially required; the RAÏ buses between Nouméa and Hienghène do stop here but the schedule is awkward and limits what you can see along the way.

Air Calédonie operates occasional flights between Nouméa-Magenta and the small airstrip a few kilometres north of town, but service is infrequent and not really aimed at tourists. There is a petrol station in town — fill up before continuing north toward Hienghène, as stations become sparse beyond here.

Guide

Things to Do

Poindimié's draw is the lagoon, with the best swimming and snorkelling on Grande Terre's east coast. The Tchamba valley behind the coast is the other main outing — a slow drive up the unsealed track into Kanak tribal land and rainforest.