Cook, the intrepid British navigator, named the islands “New Caledonia” due to their resemblance to the rugged Scottish Highlands. Find out more with our New Caledonia sailing guide.
In 1788, the French explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse, disappeared after leaving Botany Bay, Australia, headed toward New Caledonia. For decades, the fate of his expedition remained one of the great unsolved mysteries of the age of exploration, adding a layer of intrigue to the island’s history. Jacques Cousteau, the legendary oceanographer, spent considerable time studying its unique marine life and his documentaries brought global attention to the beauty and ecological importance of the lagoon.
