An Australian man has died after he was bitten by a shark while kitesurfing in New Caledonia on Tuesday afternoon.

The 50-year-old from Western Australia was on a reef at Koumac with a group of others about 3.40pm local time (2.40pm AEST) kitesurfing close to shore as part of a ten day kitesurfing holiday aboard a catamaran.

In a statement, the tour operator Offshore Odysseys Inc said the victim was an experienced waterman, and was attacked by a large shark of unknown type.

Odyssey's statement said "the vessel's crew immediately realized the guest was in distress, dispatched a rescue vessel and radioed local authorities. The victim was given medical assistance by the crew while being rushed towards the harbor."