Prony Bay Whale Watching
Baie de Prony
A deep-water bay at the southern tip of the main island where humpback whales come to breed and raise their young from July to September, surrounded by a former convict village and red-soil scenery.
Baie de Prony lies at the southern tip of the main island, about 60 km southeast of Nouméa, and is one of the South Pacific’s humpback whale breeding grounds. From mid-July to September each year, humpback whales swim up from the Antarctic to mate and raise their young. Whale-watching boats leaving from Nouméa or Baie de Prony often spot mother whales with calves breaching and slapping their tails. Whale watching must be done on a licensed tour lasting half a day to a full day, and boats must keep the required distance. On other days you can drive around the Prony village ruins (the remains of a 19th-century convict logging camp), the red-soil landscapes and the viewpoints. You can also link the area with Blue River Park and Madeleine Falls for a day trip to the south.
Opening hours
Whale-watching tours approx. 7:00–17:00 (seasonal)
Nearby sights
- Madeleine Falls
- Blue River Provincial Park
- Tjibaou Cultural Centre
- Monts Koghis
- Ouen Toro
- Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park
- Anse Vata
- St Joseph's Cathedral