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Last updated on February 10, 2021
Ilot Redika, located about an hour by boat from Nouméa, is one of the most beautiful snorkeling locations in the area. Fairly uncrowded in comparison to other islets, its coral reef is still healthy and colorful. Above all, this spot is known for its abundance of whitetip sharks, the presence of three species of sea turtles, and the occasional sightings of eagle rays.
Îlot Redika (Redika Island) faces the Boulari pass, south-east of Nouméa. Several taxi boats in Nouméa offers day trips to the island. Prices start at around XPF6,500 per person (or €55), for a boat with 10 participants. The price increases if there are fewer participants.
From Nouméa, the boat trip to the island takes about 55 minutes. You can also go to the islet with your own boat. Îlot Redika is located approximately 15km east of Îlot Amédée, one of New Caledonia’s best-known snorkel spots.
You can get into the water from the main beach of the islet, on which the boats arrive. At high tide, you can easily access the drop-off, because there’s enough depth on the reef. At low tide, however, you will have to take the small pass (see map above) to access the outer face of the reef.
Best snorkeling at Redika Island is located on the reefs surrounding the pass. This side of the island is generally well protected from wind and waves, and the sea is calm.
Redika Island is a little frequented spot, which still shelters superb corals, both in the lagoon and on the reef drop off. In places, you will discover carpets of hard, dense, and colorful coral. The branching coral and the finger coral, in particular, are spectacular.
On this spot, you will discover a great diversity of reef fish. Angelfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, and damselfish are very easy to see. On the reef, there are also sea anemones inhabited by clownfish, in particular the fire clownfish and the Barrier Reef anemonefish.
If the reef of Redika islet allows you to observe loads of colorful fish, it is especially famous for the presence of larger species. While three species of sea turtle, the hawksbill turtle, the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle, frequent this spot, you’ll also certainly encounter whitetip reef sharks and several species of eagle rays.
New Caledonian sea kraits are also easy to see here, often sighted hunting in the crevices of the reef before swimming back on the beach to rest.
Redika Island is a natural site, with no water and no restaurant. Some tours may include lunch on the beach. Inquire when you book.
Check this video 👇 shared by Fongi to live a close encounter with a sea krait at Redika Island’s reef.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
