Mick and I are visiting Noumea during the low season, as evidenced by very few people on the footpaths, in the restaurants and on the beaches. But, this is the ideal time to visit if it’s weather you’re worried about. We have had almost perfect weather – warm days, no rain and cool sea breezes during the evenings. Absolutely perfect for relaxing, which I have to admit, I am not very good at.

But perhaps the lack of numbers on the beaches also has something to do with sharks.

Very sadly, just three months ago, an Australian man was mauled by a 4 metre shark while he was swimming about 150m off the beach at Chateau Royal.

This sign on Baie des Citrons beach, about a kilometre from the Chateau Royal beach says “No Swimming” (Baignade Interdite), and Danger Requin ( shark). Most of the beach is not under surveillance.

But there is quite a sizeable part of the beach where there are lifeguards, and people swim here between the flags and within the netted-off waters.

This morning I noticed a group of around 20 women doing what looked like water aerobics.

The water is quite shallow here, but these women were certainly taking it very seriously. At the same time, there was a boat doing some maintenance beyond the netting.

I couldn’t work out exactly what he and his offside were doing, except I noticed she was bringing him a cuppa – must have been ‘smoko’.

The beaches here have similarities to our Queensland beaches, but I would say are not quite as advanced.

Needless to say, I haven’t ventured into the waters yet!