Anse Majic is a little bit of magic with its rich green trees a top the deep red soil. It is a wonderful contrast.
This bay is located in Baie de Prony which must have dozens of anchorages.
There are (5) mooring balls that are available to yachts for no charge in Anse Majic. This protected bay was truly peaceful.
A Hike to Cap N’ Dua Lighthouse
There are several places you can get to shore to start the trail to Cap N’Dua Lighthouse.
We opted to leave the dinghy near some boulders so we could avoid stepping on the wet, deep, red mud on the “beach.”
Instead, we scampered up the rocks directly to the trail.
There are (2) trails to take to the lighthouse.
The signage states that one trail is considered “difficult” and the other is “easy and recommended.”
We of course decided to take the difficult one up and then returned on the easy trail. Basically creating a figure 8, (2) loops. I will state that the difficult trail was not difficult at all. Perhaps more vertical, but not hard.
The locals have built and maintained lovely trails that are well-marked and have lots of signage.
Your shoes will turn red as there is no way to avoid the red soil.
But the path is lovely as you weave around the foliage, across the island, and over the mountain.
Cap N’Dua Lighthouse
This is little lighthouse with a remarkable history.
Cap N’Dua Lighthouse
The Cap N’dua lighthouse sits at the southern tip of Grande Terre overlooking the entrance to the Canal de la Havannah (Havannah Pass).
For over a century, this lighthouse has helped guide ships safely through the delicate tidal currents and reefs cluttering the lagoon.
Originally, the lighthouse was a simple mast a top of which the keepers hoisted a large lamp. The wick was fed with a rapeseed oil in the beginning, and then mineral oil.
The two-man team also hoisted a telegraph (more on this below).
The two man team originally stayed in the ruins located just below the lighthouse. However, a cyclone later destroyed this building. The workers moved to a better protected site in Anse Majic.
The French Government commissioned the lighthouse between 1888 and 1897.
The keepers climbed to the top of the mountain every evening to light the wick by hand as the lighthouse was powered by oil.
The locals automated the Cap N’Dua light using gas in the 1950’s.
Then by 1982 the lighthouse was converted to solar power. Today, a modern solar-powered LED beacon lights the way for mariners.
Surrounding the Cap N’Dua Lighthouse
Just below the lighthouse is a lovely whale watching center with seating, informational signage, and high-powered binoculars.
The top left photo shows the roof of the center and middle left is the actual center.
The top right shows the reflective ship mark. The middle right photo shows what is left of the keepers residence after the cyclone.
The bottom two photos are the “modern” mechanics to keep the lighthouse running – a mini solar farm with over 12,600 watts!
The Telegraph and Communications
In 1878, the telegraph arrived in Anse Majic, Prony Bay. In 1880, the telegraph merged services with the post office and opened to the public in 1891.
This greatly improved communications between Noumea and Ile des Pins.
In 1895, it turned into a full blown post office with a telephone line. But unfortunately, the office shut down by 1911.
The Natural Reserve
The Province Sud set aside over 800 hectares surrounding the Cap N’Dua lighthouse in 1972.
This created a beautiful Natural Reserve which included lovely walking trails and a whale watching observatory, and information center.
Unfortunately, the land around this area is slowly degrading.
The degradation is from a combination of human activity (fires, mining, construction, tracks) and the process of erosion of the soil (due to heavy rains).
However, the local government has made provisions to manage the flow of water, stabilize the soil, and facilitate vegetable regrowth.
Anse Majic is Magic
We really enjoyed staying in Anse Majic. It is unusually beautiful, has a lovely hike, and is very peaceful.
Matt and I at the top of the Mountain.
Our blog posts run 8 weeks behind actual live events.
We were in Anse Majic and did the hike to Cap N’Dua Lighthouse in early July 2026.
Find Anse Majic on No Foreign Land.
Discover all of the Ilots we visited in New Caledonia.