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🪨 Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems: Isla Surprise – Entrecasteaux Reefs

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🪨 Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems: Isla Surprise – Entrecasteaux Reefs
Coral atoll system in the South Pacific


🕐 2 min read · Updated 11 Apr 2026 at 07:55

UNESCOUNESCO World Heritage Site

📌 Fast Facts
  • Location: 230 km northwest of Grande Terre, New Caledonia
  • Reef extent: Over 250 km along northern waters
  • Status: Uninhabited marine ecosystem with high biodiversity
  • UNESCO inscription: 2008

Isla Surprise and the Entrecasteaux Reefs form a coral atoll system in the South Pacific that supports exceptional marine biodiversity in a remote, largely undisturbed setting. Located approximately 230 kilometres northwest of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, the reef chain extends over 250 kilometres and comprises part of one of the world's largest barrier reef complexes. The lagoons of New Caledonia were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 in recognition of their ecological ...

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