Baie de Prony
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Baie de Prony, New Caledonia
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Overview
Baie de Prony is a very large enclosed waterway at the southern most end of the Grand Terre in New Caledonia. It is a mixture of small resorts, historical, but almost abandoned towns, deserted bays, rivers to be explored by dinghy and huge mining projects. The whole bay is deep with few dangers, has a number of excellent sheltered anchorages. Two of the bays could be, with some caveats, considered as cyclone holes.
Cruising the region
All the anchorages and beaches in Baie de Prony are red mud or sand, a result of the intensely red laterite soils that surround the whole area and form the basis of the local mining industry. The mud stains, so it pays to clean it off anchor and chain as they come aboard and to wash shoes and feet as you return to the boat from shore trips.
The Isle of Pines is about 35 nm from Baie de Prony, which makes the bay a good starting point for a trip to the island.
Local Weather
Local weather conditions?
Sources for Weather forecasts:
Local forecasts are, of course, in French, but non-French speakers should find them relatively easy to understand. A very useful vocabulary can be found at How to Understand French Weather Forecasts for Sailors.
The main source of weather information for the area around New Caledonia is Meteo France Nouvelle-Calédonie. The marine section provides a 6 day forecast for the whole region, with details for each of the passes through the barrier reef.
Nouméa radio broadcasts the weather report in French on VHF 16, everyday at 6:30, 9:30, 15:15, 18:30.
There is a set of repeater channels allowing receipt of weather info anywhere in the country:
- Nouméa area: VHF 26
- Southern portion of the Grande Terre: VHF 28
- Isle of Pines and the Southern Lagoon: VHF 25
- Grande Terre North West coast: VHF 25
- Northern portion of Grande Terre: VHF 24
- Ouvea: VHF 23
- Lifou: VHF 26
- Maré: VHF 87
Charts
Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.
- Chart Source
- Chart No
- Chart No
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Baie de Prony is about 25 nm from Noumea, easy to reach in a short days sail. The industrial activity in the bay means that it is well marked and surveyed. The main shipping channel from Havannah to Noumea passes just outside the entrance to the bay, so the approaches are clearly defined with markers.
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The entrance to Baie de Prony lies between Ilot Boise on the western side and Pointe Mere on the eastern side. Approach from the west is usually through Canal Woodin. Note that Recif Moziman lies offshore between Pointe des Pins and Ilot Boise. This reef is marked by a south cardinal mark that is lit. When approaching from the west note that Recif de Prony extends over half a mile passed Pointe Mere. This reef is marked at its western most end by a 12 metre high white beacon that is lit (Fl 4sec)
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Submit details about facilities for checking in - where to dock, location of immigration & customs, etc.
Offshore Islands and Groups
List Islands
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- None
Anchorages
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Bonne Anse
- Anse Majic. This anchorage lies in the south eastern corner of Bonne Anse. It is sheltered in all but winds from West through to North. Although the Cruising Guide to New Caledonia describes the holding as excellent, care should be exercised as some of the mud bottom appears to be underlain by smooth rock or coral and you can drag. The Guide also mentions a mooring bouy, which was not there in 2010. On the eastern side of the bay, there is an obvious landing spot. From here it is a three quarter hour walk to the lighthouse on Cap Ndoua. There is also a fresh water stream with good water a short distance from the landing. Note that the bottom is thick red mud.
- The other small bays on the south side of Bonne Anse are all useful as anchorages in suitable winds and there are two bays in the NE corner where anchorage can be found.
Rade Du Nord Est
- There is a sheltered anchorage in the eastern most corner of this bay, but the whole area is dominated by the large ore loading facility associated with the Goro Nickel Mine.
Rade Du Nord
- East anchorage. This anchorage lies east of Ilot Gabriel and offers shelter in easterly conditions. There are ruins of an old penal settlement on the river bank and a waterfall can be found by taking a dinghy trip up stream. In westerly conditions, it is possible to anchor against the western shore, west of Ilot Gabriel.
Baie Du Carenage
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- West Arm. The eastern arm provides a very sheltered anchorage. The far end of the bay rapidly shallows, but there is adequate water on the eastern side of the final point on the northern side of the bay. The stream flowing into the SW corner of the bay is navigable by dinghy and there are interesting areas to explore further up the stream. Holding is good in deep red mud. Note that large rays are common around Carenage and could provide a nasty surprise if you are careless stepping out into shallow water.
The Cruising Guide mentions that this area might make a suitable cyclone hole if you found yourself in the area at the wrong time. Note that there are several streams that flow into this bay. It can be assumed that these would flood dramatically in a cyclone and the water flow into the bay could make holding difficult.
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- East Arm. This bay also shallows rapidly beyond the anchorage. The river beyond the anchorage is navigable for some distance by dinghy.
Grande Rade
- Anse Sebert. This small bay is most suited to west winds. It provides access to Prony village and would be a good base if you were planning to dive on Recif de l'Aiguille.
- Baie de la Somme. This bay, also near Prony village is sheltered in all but winds from the NEly quarter.
- Ilot Casy. This small island in the middle of the bay is mostly surrounded by coral, particularly on the southern end where the coral extends for up to half a mile beyond the island. Anchorage can be found off the SW side of the island, where there is less reef and there is a white sand beach. A small hotel is sited behind the beach. It may or may not be open. There may be fresh water available from the jetty in front of the hotel.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
- None
Repairs/Yards
- None
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- None available
- Water
- Only from streams - difficult to access.
- Electricity
- None available
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
- Recif de L'Aiguille is a natural underwater tower which makes for a spectacular diving site. It is about 35 metres high. The top of the tower is about 1.5 metres below the surface. The reef is marked by a bouy topped with two black spheres.
- Walk to the light house on Cap Ndoua. This walk takes about 3/4 hour from the anchorage in Anse Majic. The track is good and obvious, but would require good shoes in most conditions as it is mostly red mud. The view from the area of the light tower is stunning, east to Havannah Pass and south to the Isle of Pines.
- Explore by dinghy from the west arm of Carenage. At the end of the navigable stream, there is a spot to land and a track which continues up the river. The Riviere Bleue walking track crosses the river a little way up stream. There is a shelter hut here and hot springs in the excellent swimming hole below the hut. Follow the rough road up hill to the east to get an excellent view out over the Baie De Prony.
- Explore by dinghy from the east arm of Carenage. First stop is a jetty and short track which takes you to a hot spring and a nice pool to soak in. To go further, it needs to be high tide or you need to carry the dinghy to the next deep section. It is then a short trip to a section of rapids where some nice fresh water swimming holes can be found.
- Visit Prony village and other historic ruins around the edge of the bay..
Grocery & Supply Stores
- None
Eateries
- None
Internet/WiFi
Available?
Laundry
- None
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- None
Garbage Disposal
None
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2010 - Pedro
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Names: Pedro |
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