New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a French territory in the southwest Pacific. Visitors come for a lagoon of about 24,000 square kilometers, the city of Nouméa and the Loyalty Islands.
New Caledonia is a French territory of islands in the southwest Pacific, about 1,210 km east of Australia. Its main island, Grande Terre, is about 400 km long, and Nouméa is the only large city. A lagoon of about 24,000 square kilometers, with a barrier reef around it, is one of the largest in the world, and six lagoon and reef sites joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Kanak people, the indigenous Melanesians, make up about 41% of the population, and their clans and chiefdoms still shape daily life.
The cooler, drier season runs from June to August, with temperatures of 20 to 23 °C, and is the most comfortable time to visit. The hot, humid season runs from November to March, when temperatures reach 27 to 30 °C, and cyclones can hit between December and April. The trip suits travelers who want lagoon time, cultural sites and island trips. Aircalin operates most domestic flights, and the Loyalty Islands lie about 100 km east of Grande Terre.
Five things to know before New Caledonia
- Check New Caledonia's rules, not Schengen's
UK, Canadian and Australian passports can visit visa-free for up to 90 days (Australia: 3 months in any 6). Insurance with medical and evacuation cover is mandatory for entry, so carry the policy. Visa checker
- Read the latest travel advice before booking
Unrest in 2024 closed roads and the airport. Tensions have eased, but protests can happen with little notice, and restrictions on alcohol and fuel remain. Check current advice before you fly. UK travel advice
- Fly to the islands from La Tontouta
Since 2 March 2026 domestic flights to the Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines leave from La Tontouta, about 45 minutes from Nouméa, not Magenta. Check flight status before you travel. Loyalty Islands guide
- Start in Nouméa, then pick one island
The capital has the bays, the Tjibaou Cultural Centre and boats to Amédée Lighthouse. The Isle of Pines suits a short stay; the Loyalty Islands suit three nights or more. Nouméa guide
- Bring a driving permit for Grande Terre
UK drivers need the 1968 international driving permit and their UK license, and the permit cannot be bought in New Caledonia. Hire companies may set stricter age and experience rules. Driving permit guide
New Caledonia travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Bays, the Tjibaou Centre and day boats to Amédée.
Read the guideLoyalty IslandsLifou, Maré and Ouvéa: flights, tribal stays and caves.
Read the guideIsle of PinesOro Bay's natural pool and pirogues on Upi Bay.
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules by passport, checked against official pages.
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free stays and why Schengen rules do not apply.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMandatory for entry, with medical and evacuation cover.
Read the guideGetting aroundCar hire, driving permits and domestic flights.
Read the guideMoneyCFP francs, card use in Nouméa and costs elsewhere.
Read the guide
Destinations in New Caledonia
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- CFPF 4,000
- Food
- CFPF 2,500
- Transport
- CFPF 500
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- CFPF 9,000
- Food
- CFPF 6,000
- Transport
- CFPF 2,500
- Sights
- CFPF 1,500
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- CFPF 15,000
- Food
- CFPF 12,000
- Transport
- CFPF 8,000
- Sights
- CFPF 15,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Hot, humidJanuaryRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- FebruaryRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Hot, cyclone riskFebruaryRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 305 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- MarchRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Wettest, cyclonesMarchRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 232 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest, cyclones
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm, cyclone riskAprilRain
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 281 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, cyclone risk
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Cooler, dryingMayRain
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, drying
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Cool, showersJuneRain
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Cool, whalesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, whales
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Cool, whalesAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, whales
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Driest, whalesSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest, whales
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Dry, sunnyOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Dry, sunnyNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Hot, humidDecemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
Average daily high and low in Nouméa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in New Caledonia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 19°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 95%
New Caledonia
07:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°17°95%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Wed28°18°95%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Thu27°20°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri28°20°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat28°20°93%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Sun27°19°81%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Mon26°19°96%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 03:23 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 106.9 XPF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to New Caledonia
New Caledonia FAQ
Do I need a visa for New Caledonia?
UK and Canadian passports can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, and Australian passports for 3 months in any 6. Other passports should check the official list on the France-Visas site, as New Caledonia sits outside the Schengen area.
Is it safe to travel to New Caledonia now?
Most visits pass without trouble, but the territory saw serious unrest in 2024 and protests can still happen with little warning. Read your government's current travel advice before you book and again before you fly.
Is English spoken in New Caledonia?
New Caledonia Tourism says English is commonly spoken in Nouméa. French is the working language elsewhere, so a few French phrases and a translation app help.
When is whale season in New Caledonia?
New Caledonia Tourism says humpback whales calve in the lagoon between mid-June and mid-September. October and November are its dry, sunny months.
How do I get to the Isle of Pines?
By Air Calédonie flight from La Tontouta airport, which the tourism board puts at about 40 minutes on average, or by ferry. See the Isle of Pines guide for the ferry and the day-trip question.