GENERAL INFORMATION
 
Visitors seeking a relaxed and interesting holiday will find New Caledonia offers this and more.  Enjoy the warm balmy climate, sandy white beaches lined with coconut palms and aquamarine lagoons teeming with fish.  Experience the culture - a subtle blend of French traditions and fascinating Melanesian custom.  New Caledonia is a place where romance, adventure and dreams can come true.

The New Caledonia Archipelago is situated in the south-western part of the South Pacific Ocean and belongs to what is known as Melanesia.  The land is one of tropical variety and is the third largest South Pacific land mass after New Zealand and Australia.  The mainland, La Grande Terre, covers an area of 16,372sq km, out of the total surface of New Caledonia of 18,575sq km.  There are a number of offshore islands, the Loyalty Islands to the north-east (Lifou, Mare, Ouvéa and Tiga), the Isle of Pines to the south, the Belep Islands to the north and the uninhabited Chesterfield Islands to the west.  The capital city is Nouméa.

The mainland has a chain of high mountains which run the length of the island, dividing the island into two distinct regions.  These are the west coast, which is dry, and the more tropical east coast.  New Caledonia offers marvellous panoramic dense forests and green hills, contrasted by the bold mountains.  The barrier reef stretching 1600 kms and encircling the mainland forms the world’s largest lagoon.

Map of New Caledonia

 
ACCOMMODATION
You will find the variety of accommodation allows for a refreshing choice, amidst wonderful locations and surroundings.  New Caledonian hotels offer everything from deluxe quality with swimming pools, piano bars and satellite TV, to the smaller family hotel with restaurant and bar known as the gîte.  Budget accommodation is available in tribal villages and a number of backpacker hostels.
ACTIVITIES
New Caledonia offers the complete outdoor experience, greatly enhanced by the flora and fauna.  The lagoon is the biggest in the world and the reefs offer the perfect place to view the colourful marine life.  Other water activities include waterskiing, parasailing, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing and much more.  Land based activities take in the action starting with 4WD tours or all levels of bush walking.  Scenic flights offer spectacular views and are one of the best ways to view the reefs and islands.

New to Nouméa’s skyline is the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano (Kansai Airport, Japan and Pompidou Centre, Paris).  Taking inspiration from traditional Kanak architecture, it is a resolutely modern masterpiece - not to be missed.
AIRPORT
The international airport of Tontouta is about 50km away from Nouméa.
BANKS/EXCHANGE
In Nouméa all exchange transactions are normally conducted through the banks and the exchange counter at Tontouta airport.  Open hours: 7.45am - 3.45pm from Monday to Friday.  Most hotels will accept foreign currency.

The unit of currency in New Caledonia is the French Pacific Franc (CFP), which is pegged to the French Franc, and freely convertible.  No foreign exchange restrictions exist.  Numerous ATMS are available in Nouméa.  Travellers cheques and credit cards are accepted by most retail outlets and restaurants.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS/FESTIVALS

 
February Shrove Tuesday - International Funboard Nouméa Alizes Trophy
April Festival at Dumbea - Rodeo of Kone - Giant Omelette - Nouméa Waiters Race
July Outrigger Championship - Marathon International Day - Open Golf Competition
July 14 Bastille Day
August Bourail Agricultural Show - Jazz Festival - Cyclist Tour of New Caledonia
October International Tennis Week - International Triathlon du Soleil - End of Season Sales - Squash Competition - The ‘Touques’ Regate - Horse Races
December Enduro Competition in Bourail - Illumination for Christmas

 
CAMPING
Camping is not permitted within Nouméa.  Camping is available on the east and west coasts, as well as on the islands, but the locals must be informed.
CLIMATE

Cooled by the surrounding Pacific Ocean and refreshing tradewinds, New Caledonia enjoys a sunny climate marked by two seasons: September to March, warm and humid with temperatures averaging between 25 and 27 degrees celcius; April to August, cool and dry with temperatures averaging between 20 and 23 degrees celcius.  The climate is comparable with eternal spring weather. This means dthe water temperature stays warm enought for swimming all year round.

 
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rainfall (mm)
141.7
188.7
44.6
178.4
134.2
57.4
111.8
86.9
127.5
4.0
56.7
163.2
Temperature
(oC)
26.9
27.2
27.5
25.4
24.2
21.4
21.3
20
21.5
23.4
23.8
24.2


CUSTOMS
Free Allowance: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco.  One bottle of alcoholic beverage. A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

There are no departure taxes.

DRESS
Light, informal clothes are adequate all year round.  Sweaters are advisable for cooler evenings.  Shorts are not recommended for the evening in restaurants.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts AC, 50 cycles (European style 2 round prongs).
ENTERTAINMENT
  • Sports galore (swimming, diving, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, tennis, golf, squash and kayaking).
  • Sightseeing at the territorial museum which has a truly rare collection of incredible and fearsome artifacts gathered from all over the South Pacific.
  • The world famous Aquarium de Nouméa holds probably the most interesting collection of tropical marine life seen anywhere in the world, especially its gallery of fluorescent corals.
  • The 19th century lighthouse, the market, the Nouméa Museum, the Cathedral, people watching in cafes, watch Melanesian women play Le Cricket and men playing petanque in the Anse Vata beach.
Night time - Eat and drink at one of 120 restaurants.  Try your luck at the casinos, or dance the night away at a disco.

Out of town - Try to visit at least one of the outer islands (Isle of Pines, Ouvéa, Lifou or Mare) or drive inland and take an adventure tour on horse or 4WD.

FOOD
Restaurants in New Caledonia are known to be some of the best in the South Pacific.  Savour a seafood platter or try a traditional French dish, Italian, Indian, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese or Japanese.  There is something to suit all tastes and budgets.  Try the traditional Melanesian dish known as ‘Bougna’ which is a base of fruit, vegetables, pork, fish, chicken and lobster cooked in coconut covered in banana leaves and cooked over hot stones in a hole in the ground, covered by sand.  Restaurant hours are from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 7.00pm to 11.00pm.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
No health vaccinations are required unless arriving within 14 days from an infected areas. As with all overseas destinations, it is recommended that tourists are up to date with thier immunisation programme. Insect repellent and sunscreen are practical precautions to include in your luggage.
HISTORY
New Caledonia has a modern history.  Captain Cook landed on the north-east of the island at Balade in 1774.  La Perouse was sent by Louis XVI on a voyage of discovery with the ships La Boussole and L’Astrolabe.  It is presumed he was the first to explore the west coast, but the ships and all hands were completely lost on the reefs at Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands.  In 1827, Dumont d’Urville determined the exact position of the Loyalty Islands and made a map of the archipelago in 1840.  The first settlers were the English Protestant missionaries and the sandalwood traders.  French Catholic missionaries settled at Balade in 1843.  New Caledonia became French in 1853 and a French Overseas Territory in 1957.

LANGUAGE
French is the official language but English is widely understood and spoken.  There exists approximately 30 Melanesian dialects, each quite different.  English speaking visitors will invariably meet a friendly response if they try to converse in French, even if their vocabulary is limited to simple courtesies such as hello (bonjour), thank you (merci) and goodbye (au revoir).  Some other useful phrases are: please (si’l vous plait); excuse me. How are you? (Comment allez vous).
MEDICAL SERVICES
Doctor, dentist, hospital, clinic, pharmacy and dispensary facilities are available.
POPULATION
New Caledonia's population is 230,000 inhabitants (in 1996). Almost half of this population lives in the capital city of Noumea. Major ethnic groups include Melanesian, European, Indonesian, Vientnamese, Tahitians and Wallisians.
RELIGION
Main religions are Roman Catholic and Protestant.  Masses are sung weekly at St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
SHOPPING

Apart from the French imported products which are available in the duty free shops, one can buy very attractive wooden carving inspired by Melanesian art ie. beautiful outrigger canoes, spears, pearls, shells and mother of pearl and many semi-precious mineral stones which show the country’s mineral wealth.  Most of these shops are found in town near the ‘Place des Cocotiers’, along the Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons and Port Plaisance.  Business hours are 7.30am to 11.30am and 2.00pm to 6.00pm on weekdays, 7.30am to 11.30am Saturdays and most shops open on Sunday morning.  Most shops and offices close at lunchtime between 11.30 am and 1.30pm.  All the banks and the post office stay open but close at 3.45pm.

Tipping is not expected in New Caledonia.
TELECOMMUNICATION
Overseas telephone communications are available at most hotels.
TIME ZONE

11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 10 hours ahead of Paris, 1 hour ahead of Sydney, 1 hour behind New Zealand.

The sun rises at about 4.30am and sets at 7pm in December/January. It rises at about 6.30am and sets at 5.30pm in June/July.
TRANSPORT
A part of Air Caledonie internal flight.  Regular bus services operate on the mainland and a new motorised catamaran sails to Isle of Pines and Loyalty Island.  Car rentals: Rental cars provide transport facilities from Nouméa and Tontouta (A current valid licence is required).  There is an efficient bus service in Nouméa which finishes around 6.30pm.  There is a taxi rank in the central square.
WATER
Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country and local mixed mineral water is also available.
THE LOYALTY ISLANDS
One hundred kilometres to the north-east, Grande Terre is flanked by the Loyalty Islands archipelago of Maré, Tiga, Ouvéa and Lifou, which are inhabited by around 18,000 people of mainly Melanesian origin.  The islands cover an area of 1981sq km, and are characterised by tropical lagoons with powdery white sandy beaches and swaying coconut palms.  One of the most beautiful beaches is at Mouli on Ouvéa and stretches for 25 kms.  Lifou is the largest island and is indented with deep, wide bays.  The main administrative centre for the islands is also here, located at Wé.  Each island is about 50km apart and all offer an escape from reality, especially for people who enjoy swimming, collecting shells, or snorkelling in clear waters.
ISLE OF PINES ‘JEWEL OF THE PACIFIC’
Just 70 km south-east of the mainland, the Isle of Pines is covered in luxuriant pine forest and encircled by a coral reef.  It is hailed as ‘the Jewel of the Pacific’.  Sights to visit include the Bays of Kanumera and Kuto, offering pristine beaches and lagoons which are home to brightly coloured tropical fish, turtles, shells and coral.  Great scuba diving and glass bottom boat trips are available here, or you could try sailing.  People less inclined to sailing the turquoise seas, will find the island is a perfect size for exploring by rental car.  Other interesting places to visit are the Cave of Queen Hortense, the Bay of Oro and its natural swimming pool, and the penal colony ruins.  If you choose to visit the Isle of Pines, you will find there are excellent Melanesian operated gîtes (with their own restaurants), camping facilities, a small resort at Kuto Bay and the spectacular New Meridian Hotel at the Bay of Oro.