Following the Covid pandemic, New Caledonia authorities kept Chesterfield Reef closed. They have now decided to keep it closed indefinitely, however, applications to visit can be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
See this article from the Down Under Rally in their August 2023 newsletter - pages 32-33here.
In order to visit these Islands, foreign yachts must obtain a permit (see below), clear in with Customs and Immigration in Noumea (see New Caledonia Formalities for full details), visit the islands and then clear out of the country in Noumea before departure. The Chesterfield Islands can not be visited before clearing in, or after clearing out, of the country (other than for safety reasons).
French naval vessels do periodically patrol the Islands with the aid of satellite and air surveillance, and may well contact you on VHF Channel 16 confirm all paperwork is in order.
Yachts wishing to visit must first obtain authorization from the Department in charge of the Coral Sea Natural Park at the Maritime Affairs Office in Noumea.
Requests must be made at least three months in advance. Download the following form and email to: merdecorail@gouv.nc
Coral National Park Visit Request - English
Coral National Park Visit Request - French
To see the scale of the Marine Park and areas that are restricted, go to the Parc Naturel de la Mer de Corail website.
All types of fishing are now prohibited in all nature reserves of the Coral Sea Natural Park.
Last updated: September 2024
Parc naturel de la mer de Corail / Natural Park of the Coral Sea
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Thanks for amending the information, Sue.
As an update, in October 2019 Temptress spent 6 days at Chesterfield Reefs in company with 7 other yachts. We diverted there and waited for favourable weather before continuing to Bundaberg, Australia. We had cleared out of New Caledonia and did not possess a permit to visit the marine park.
During our stay we experienced an aerial surveillance patrol by the French Navy in an executive type jet. They made several low altitude passes and contacted yachts via VHF radio (channel 16). They asked about our reason for being there, our estimated duration of stay and whether we knew Chesterfield Reefs were marine sanctuary.
They accepted that yachts were anchored there for safety reasons. There were a couple of yachts present whose crew had gained permits to visit. The Navy had their details on database and seemed happy that they were visiting, despite having cleared out of New Caledonia.
It seems from this single interaction that the French Navy prioritize the Marine Park Permit over the requirement to have an immigration visa.
The information provided seems to me, a little misleading. It seems to imply that the permit to travel to Chesterfield Reefs somehow negates the need to be checked into New Caledonia with a valid visa. This is not so, but forgive me if I mis-read.
Whilst there is a permit available to visit Chesterfield Reefs, it is still a requirement for foreigners to be checked in to the country. To put it plainly; it is illegal for non-French citizens to plan a visit to Chesterfield Reefs ( French territory ) without first clearing in at Noumea and gaining a valid visa. Similiarly, it is also illegal to clear out and then visit Chesterfield Reefs.
The correct way for foreigners to visit Chesterfield Reefs, and for that matter reefs in the D’Entrecasteaux and Bellona groups, is to obtain the permit as per the Noonsite instructions, clear in with Customs and Immigration in Noumea, visit the reefs, clear out back in Noumea and depart.
Just like any other country in the world, having a permit to visit a National Park does not imply that you are legally entitled to ignore Immigration Laws. Gaining a permit to visit Chesterfield Reefs and then doing so whilst not holding a valid visa shows a clear intent to flout Immigration law. This fact was made abundantly clear to us when discussing visiting Chesterfield Reefs with French Customs (Douanes) in Noumea. French naval vessels do periodically patrol with the aid of satellite surveillance.
I don’t pretend to be an authority on international law, but I’ve been told that yachts in transit may shelter (at say, Chesterfield Reefs) for reasonable time periods if circumstances demand.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
Thank you very much for confirming these details. We have now updated the clearance section accordingly.