Visit New Caledonia

Come to New Caledonia, in the heart of the Pacific

It is to James Cook, famous Scottish navigator who discovered the archipelago in the 18th century, that this paradise owes its name. Located in the heart of the South Pacific, the archipelago of New Caledonia is truly a pearl of the Pacific. Covering an area of 18,575 km² (~11,540 miles²), it is comprised of the Mainland (Grande Terre), the Bélep Islands, the Isle of Pines, the Loyalty Islands (Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa and Tiga), and some remote islands.

A unique touristic wealth

Antipodean French land, New Caledonia has a wide variety of unique activities for travel lovers: white sandy beaches, hiking in the primary forests or in the channel, discovery of endemic marine and land biodiversity, diving, golf, kite surfing, surfing, windsurfing, paragliding, parachuting, fishing, hunting, boating, sport or cowboy horseback riding... New Caledonia is also a land of ancient culture, where the "local custom" is still clearly present in social and festive relations. It is a universe in and of itself. The Tjibaou Cultural Centre, designed by Renzo Piano, and inspired by Melanesian huts, retraces with "the Kanak way", the myth of the creation of the first man, and demonstrates the liveliness of Pacific cultures. It is also a land of "Bushmen", rich in history, across vast spaces with breathtaking landscapes.

The largest lagoon in the world listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site

In July 2008, the New Caledonian lagoon, the largest lagoon in the world, was added to the prestigious UNESCO list. The New Caledonia reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, after that of Australia.

Biodiversity hot spot in the world

The extreme originality of its flora and fauna is the result of its special geological history, the antiquity of its geographical isolation. On the archipelago, 80% of plants are endemic. Its exceptional marine biodiversity is respected as a treasure, a true symphony of multiple species and colours.

Not to be missed

  • Nouméa Cultural Centre Tjibaou
  • Nouméa, the Aquarium of the Lagoons
  • L’Ile des Pins, the Kuto and Kanuméra beaches
  • Hienghène, its hen and its Sphinx
  • The Loyalty Islands for their white sandy beaches
  • Yaté and the Parc de la Rivière Bleue [Blue River Park]

Practical Information

Entry formalities: Valid passport. For more information (External link)

Currency: CFP Franc ("French Community of the Pacific"). 1,000 FCFP = 8.38€. 1€ = 119.33 FCFP

Health: No vaccinations are required to travel to New Caledonia.

Climate: Temperate tropical climate. Average temperatures between 15° and 32° C (~59° to 89.5° F) depending on the season. The austral winter, from April to November, is the ideal time to stay in New Caledonia.

Time difference compared to France: +10 in winter, +9 in summer

How to get there

Many airline companies (External link) serve New Caledonia via Europe, Asia, the United States, Australia or New Zealand. For more information from Paris, you can contact the following airlines: Air France (External link) / KLM, Aircalin (External link) , Finnair, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Emirates, or Air New Zealand.

Contact

Nouvelle-Calédonie Tourisme Paris
4 rue Ventadour
75001 Paris
Tél : 33 (0) 1 47 03 14 74
Fax : 33 (0) 1 47 03 14 75