Green Island is a special nature reserve on the barrier reef of New Caledonia. It was created in 1993 and covers 28 square kilometres, including the island itself and all the surrounding reef flats. New Caledonia has 43 parks and reserves; 28 protecting 44,271ha of wilderness areas and 15 marine reserves protecting 40,000ha of lagoon islands and coral reefs.
In 2008 the New Caledonia network of coral reefs and lagoons was proclaimed a World Heritage Site placing the world's largest coral reef lagoon under a protected management scheme.
For detailed information about visiting Green Island get the Cruising Guide to New Caledonia.
New Caledonia is the closest South Pacific Island to Australia and New Zealand. It is a French Territory and although the official language is French the culture is a blend of Melanesian, European, Polynesian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, and more. There is one large mountainous island called Grande Terre and 6 smaller islands - the three Loyalty Islands, Belep and the Isle of Pines.The islands are remarkably unpopulated and there are vast areas of wilderness. There are hundreds of kilometers of walking treks, camp grounds, more than 42 parks and reserves, and crystal clear rivers with sparkling waterfalls. Almost one third of the population is located in the capital city of Noumea. Nickel mining is the primary industry and is the major contributor to the high standard of living in the country. Grande Terre is surrounded by the second largest barrier reef in the world and the protected lagoon created by this barrier reef is the largest in the world. Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2008, the lagoon is 24,000 square kilometers and supports a diverse and luxuriant fauna of fish and invertebrates.The vibrant, clear and rich colors are one of the first things that visitors notice when they arrive. Noumea has a complete range of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and activities to welcome visitors.