New Caledonia


LifouLoyalty Islands
The Greatest of the Loyalties
Lifou is the island in the middle of the three that make up the semi-francophone archipelago off New Caledonia. In time, the Kanak natives will decide if they want their paradise independent of the distant metropolis.
Grande Terre, New Caledonia
South Pacific Great Boulder
James Cook thus named distant New Caledonia because it reminded him of his father's Scotland, whereas the French settlers were less romantic. Endowed with one of the largest nickel reserves in the world, they named Le Caillou the mother island of the archipelago. Not even its mining prevents it from being one of the most dazzling patches of Earth in Oceania.
Île-des-Pins, New Caledonia
The Island that Leaned against Paradise
In 1964, Katsura Morimura delighted the Japan with a turquoise novel set in Ouvéa. But the neighboring Île-des-Pins has taken over the title "The Nearest Island to Paradise" and thrills its visitors.
Ouvéa, New Caledonia
Between Loyalty and Freedom
New Caledonia has always questioned integration into faraway France. On the island of Ouvéa, Loyalty Archipelago, we find an history of resistance but also natives who prefer French-speaking citizenship and privileges.
Lifou, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, Mme Moline popinée
LifouLoyalty Islands

The Greatest of the Loyalties

Lifou is the island in the middle of the three that make up the semi-francophone archipelago off New Caledonia. In time, the Kanak natives will decide if they want their paradise independent of the distant metropolis.
Jean Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center, New Caledonia, Greater Calhau, South Pacific
Grande Terre, New Caledonia

South Pacific Great Boulder

James Cook thus named distant New Caledonia because it reminded him of his father's Scotland, whereas the French settlers were less romantic. Endowed with one of the largest nickel reserves in the world, they named Le Caillou the mother island of the archipelago. Not even its mining prevents it from being one of the most dazzling patches of Earth in Oceania.
Baie d'Oro, Île des Pins, New Caledonia
Île-des-Pins, New Caledonia

The Island that Leaned against Paradise

In 1964, Katsura Morimura delighted the Japan with a turquoise novel set in Ouvéa. But the neighboring Île-des-Pins has taken over the title "The Nearest Island to Paradise" and thrills its visitors.
Network launch, Ouvéa Island-Lealdade Islands, New Caledonia
Ouvéa, New Caledonia

Between Loyalty and Freedom

New Caledonia has always questioned integration into faraway France. On the island of Ouvéa, Loyalty Archipelago, we find an history of resistance but also natives who prefer French-speaking citizenship and privileges.

Map


How to go


VISA AND OTHER PROCEDURES

As a French territory, you only need a Citizen's Card to enter New Caledonia. But since you will be stopping over in other countries to get there, it is advisable to bring a passport valid for at least another six months.

HEALTH CARE

The New Caledonian authorities require a Yellow Fever vaccine certificate if you arrive in the territory from countries at risk of transmitting this disease or if you have spent more than 12 hours at airports in these countries. There is no risk of contracting malaria but the risk of contracting Dengue Fever justifies all possible care to avoid mosquito bites.

TRIP TO NEW CALEDONIA

A Star Alliance fly from Lisbon to Noumea with TAP tel.: 707 205 700, at Thai Airways and Air New Zealand, via London, Bangkok and Auckland

Must Do's


  • Île-des-Pins
  • Tjibaou Cultural Center
  • ​Bourail (Plage of La Roche Percée)
  • Hienghène and lush surroundings
  • Ouvéa
  • Lifou
  • Maré

Explore


INTERNAL FLIGHTS

The airline Air Caledonie fly to Île des Pins, departing from Magenta – Noumea airport, for from €130 (round trip).

The most distant Loyauté islands can be visited by air for a minimum of €150 (round trip) for the Nouméa-Lifou route and a maximum of €180 (round trip) for flights between islands (from Ouvéa to Tiga) . 

CAR RENTAL

A rental car is the most practical way to discover all the islands. Expect to spend a minimum of €40 per day in high season to rent an economy car. On the Île des Pins, almost all hotels and resorts rent cars. 

SHIP

the ferry betico establishes two or three daily calls from Noumea to Isle of Pines for €70 (round trip).

When to go


The best time to visit Grande Terre and New Caledonia in general is the coldest and driest season from mid-June to October. From November to May, temperatures remain at around 30º and the humidity is quite high. This is also cyclone season, and while it's not one of the worst-affected territories in the South Pacific, New Caledonia also has its dose.

Money and costs


The currency of New Caledonia is the Comptoir Francais du Pacific (XPF). Like other French overseas territories, New Caledonia is an extremely expensive destination. There are several ATMs in Noumea and other larger towns on Grande Terre. Payment with credit cards is almost widespread.

ACCOMMODATION

It will cost you a minimum of €60 to €80 per day, per person, in a double room, in the simplest hostels. The best resorts on the Île-des-Pins and Loyauté make the most of the tropical beauty of the surrounding scenery and charge high prices, sometimes comparable to those in French Polynesia: €300, €400 per night and so on. 

FOOD

Even the humblest and smallest meals for sale in the caravans, bars and cafes you can find easily cost €10. The cost increases almost exponentially with the sophistication of the restaurants.

INTERNET

Hotels and resorts often have free access to an internet service which – outside of Noumea and even worse on the islands off Grande Terre – can be slow and choppy. An hour of browsing an internet café can easily cost €10.