Baie de Prony

From CruisersWiki

Jump to: navigation, search
WorldSouth PacificNew CaledoniaBaie de Prony
Small info.png (Click links for more information)
World icon.png
22°20.55′S, 166°50.58′E
Photo icon.png
Photo gallery
Chart icon.png
Local chartlet
Baie de Prony.

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.

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.

Charts

Source
Chart Number - Chart Name
Chart Number - Chart Name
Source
Chart Number - Chart Name

Weather

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

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

This section does not apply for many islands, remove it if this is the case for this particular. You may, however, list ismall islands adjacent to this one or list one or two of its neighbors.

For islands that have their own page list them as shown below.

  • [[Island1]]
  • [[Island2]]

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

Canal Woodin.
Recif de Prony Light.

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.

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)

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

Submit details about facilities for checking in - where to dock, location of immigration & customs, etc.

Berthing

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

Anse Majic, Baie de Prony.
Anse Majic, Baie de Prony.

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

Baie du Carenage Anchorage.
West Carenage Anchorage.
  • 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.

East Carenage, Baie de Prony.
  • 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

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 buoy 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

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

None.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

References

Publications, Guides, etc.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit. Personal experiences?

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Baie de Prony and this page's details validated:



This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.


SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Pedro


Personal tools
advertisement
Friends of Cruisers Wiki