Île des Pins

The Isle of Pines, off New Caledonia's main island, is known for a natural pool at Oro Bay, pirogue trips on Upi Bay and beaches lined with columnar pines.

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The Isle of Pines (Île des Pins) lies southeast of Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific. People go for the natural pool at Oro Bay, outrigger pirogue trips on Upi Bay and beaches lined with columnar pines. It suits travelers who want a slow day or two on the water, with short drives between beaches.

Flights from Noumea are the quickest way to reach the island. You can plan a day trip or stay one or two nights. The cooler, drier months, May to October, suit beach days best. From November to April the weather is warmer and wetter, and cyclone season falls in those months. A night on the island leaves time for the pool and a pirogue trip without rushing.

Île des Pins in five

Choose a day trip or a night on the islandThe tourism board says the Isle of Pines can be visited in a day by plane or ferry, about 100 km from Noumea. A night or two leaves time for Upi Bay, the natural pool at Oro Bay and a sunset at Kuto Bay.Noumea in 3 days
Fly from La Tontouta, about 30 minutesDomestic flights to the Isle of Pines leave from La Tontouta since 2 March 2026, not Magenta. Flights resumed progressively from 30 March 2026, and the island's airfield at Moué showed normal status on 28 September 2026.Tourism board flight status
Know the ferry runs on weekendsThe tourism board's island guide lists the Betico 2 with regular weekend departures taking around 2 hours 30 from Noumea. Timetables can change, so confirm with the operator before you plan around a sailing.Getting to the Loyalty Islands
Pre-book a car, scooter or shuttleCar rental companies operate at Moué airport and Kuto Bay for ferry arrivals, and the tourism board advises pre-booking a shuttle to your accommodation. A car or scooter helps you reach the bays.Renting a car abroad
Book a guide for Upi Bay and Queen Hortense's caveUpi Bay is explored by traditional pirogue with a local piroguer, starting from Saint-Joseph Bay, and the Oumagne cave of Queen Hortense is best visited on a guided island excursion. Carry cash for small purchases.Money in New Caledonia

Things to do in Île des Pins

See all attractions in Île des Pins

Sight · Île des PinsSt Joseph Bay

Zoo · Île des PinsGrotte de la Reine Hortense

Landmark · Île des PinsGrotte de la troisième

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Île des PinsPut the places you like in Île des Pins on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Moué (Isle of Pines); flights from La Tontouta, about 30 minutes
Getting there: Air Calédonie flight or Betico 2 ferry (weekends, about 2 h 30)
Getting around: Rental car or scooter; shuttles; pre-book on arrival
Best base: Near Kuto or Kanuméra bays; Oro Bay for the pool
Time needed: A day trip is possible; 2 to 3 nights is better

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Hot, cyclone risk
FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Wettest
MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Wet, cyclone risk
AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Warm, drying
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Mild
JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Cool nights
JulyPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Coolest
AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Cool, dry
SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Dry, clear
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Dry, warm
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh24°Low23°Warm, sunny
DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh25°Low24°Hot, humid

Average daily high and low in Isle of Pines, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Île des Pins

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 25°
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 4%

Île des Pins

09:05 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+11

Today26°20°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 4%.
Wed27°22°30%Wednesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 30%.
Thu27°22°55%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 55%.
Fri27°22°53%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 53%.
Sat27°22°37%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 37%.
Sun26°21°37%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 04:57 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 106.9 XPF

Amount

Converted to

XPF · CFP Franc

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Day trips from Île des Pins, the full guide

Before you go to Île des Pins

Isle of Pines staysHotels, gîtes and campsites listedCheck availability

Pirogue and lagoon excursionsGuided Upi Bay and islet tripsCompare tours

eSIM for the Isle of PinesDownload maps before the flightRead the guide

Insurance for flight changesCover for cancellations and evacuationRead the guide

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Rules for Île des Pins, checked

Domestic flights to the Isle of Pines have left from La Tontouta since 2 March 2026, with progressive resumption from 30 March 2026; disruptions are possible.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
The Air Calédonie Pass offers discounted flights between Noumea and the Isle of Pines, Maré, Lifou and Ouvéa; Le Pass books 4 flights to 2 destinations.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source

Plan around Île des Pins

All of New Caledonia

Entry rules, Noumea and the lagoon islands

Read the guide Noumea

The gateway city, bays and Tjibaou Centre

Read the guide Loyalty Islands

Lifou, Maré and Ouvéa by short flight

Read the guide Getting to the islands

Flight or ferry and the La Tontouta change

Read the guide Amédée Island day trip

A lagoon day from Noumea by boat

Read the guide Insurance for island trips

Cover for canceled flights and remote care

Read the guide

Île des Pins FAQ

Can you visit the Isle of Pines as a day trip from Noumea?

Yes. The tourism board says the island can be visited in a day by plane or by ferry. A flight takes about 30 to 40 minutes, but a day leaves little time beyond one or two sights, so stay a night if you can.

How do you get to the Isle of Pines?

By Air Calédonie flight from La Tontouta, about 30 minutes, or by the Betico 2 ferry, which the tourism board lists with regular weekend departures of around 2 hours 30. Car rental is available at Moué airport and Kuto Bay.

What is the Oro Bay natural pool?

A sheltered lagoon pool surrounded by columnar pines where you can snorkel among fish with mask, fins and snorkel, according to the tourism board. The tourism board lists it among the top things to do on the island.

Is the Isle of Pines worth it compared with the Loyalty Islands?

Choose the Isle of Pines for easy beaches, pirogue trips and a short flight, and the Loyalty Islands for tribal stays, caves and a wilder feel. The Isle of Pines works as a day trip; the Loyalty Islands need a night.

Do you need a car on the Isle of Pines?

It helps. The tourism board suggests renting a car or scooter to explore the island in depth and says rental firms operate at Moué airport and Kuto Bay. Pre-book a shuttle if you arrive by ferry without a vehicle.