The Western Pacific - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 402

Phare Amedee (a lighthouse) is a New Caledonian landmark (map, #5). The tiny island
and marine reserve are only fifteen miles from the capital, but feel like a different world.
The slender lighthouse was built in France in 1862, then shipped and reassembled here.
It's open to visitors for spectacular bird's-eye views over the lagoon (daily from 11:00 to
noon - more or less - for a small fee). The island and reef offer only partial protection, so
the mooring field can get rolly. Otherwise, it's a lovely place right at the edge of the
ocean, and Boulari Pass is a perfect staging point for a passage west. Reefs sharks, turtles,
sea snakes, and sea birds are all plentiful here, drawing the occasional excursion boat
from Noumea. At those times, the island feels too busy with its snack bar and SCUBA
center, but things settle down quickly in the afternoons. Overall, we reveled in the special
atmosphere of the place, spending a magically calm night under the sweeping beam of the
lighthouse.
Ile Uere is a horseshoe-shaped island just outside Noumea, with excellent protection and
holding (map, #6). It's a pretty spot with nice night views of the city lights, just outside
the hustle and bustle of it all. It's the perfect place to ride out a storm or escape the city for
a few days, and a great place for young children who enjoy calm water. Avoid weekends,
though, when the watersports crowd takes over.