Located 410 km by road north of Noumea, the sleepy locality of Poum has seen the construction of a world class holiday resort, Malabou Beach Resort. The dive sites are about 35 to 45 minutes away and in the morning it is a pleasant trip out, although the trip back can sometimes be a bit wet due to onshore winds.

The dive sites are all located on the outside of the Barrier Reef. Due to the reef's isolation, the lack of rivers and no passing boat traffic (including divers, fishers, sailors), the reef is in almost pristine condition. Pacific Diving has 16 sites that they currently visit and more are being found each month. This isolation also means that they get marlins on dives (7 at once) and 11 species of shark (5 species on one dive).

A turtle at False Pass - 1993	One of the many large gorgonias here - 1993

Another dive site is Les Pitons (The Peg or Bolt) which is located further south from False Pass. This site consists of a protected corner of the reef which drops from the surface to 30 metres. The reef itself has numerous caves, tunnels, holes and bays which make for a very exciting dive. At times you end up totally surrounded by the reef, with only a narrow tunnel or pass to exit back outside. The coral and fishlife was very good although there were not many big fish. Once again, for any one who likes to explore tunnels, this is a dive you will really enjoy.

More gorgonias at False Pass - 1993	Some of the nice soft corals - 1993

From here it is a 45 minute trip back to Malabou Resort. On the day I visited the south-east sea-breeze was up so it was a bit rough but not too uncomfortable.

The water temperature in October was 24°C (Oct to Dec 24, Jan to Feb 28-29) and the visibility 20 metres plus. It is sometimes too cool for a lycra suit but a short wetsuit is okay if you are hardy. Visibility on each of the ocean dives was very good.

NOTES:

Photographs taken 1993 using Nikonos IV-A and scanned from slides 2011.

Since I visited New Caledonia the Australian dollar has strengthened against the Pacific Franc so things should be cheaper.