Entering the country
A mix of French and local laws apply in New Caledonia. Drug offences, including the possession of illicit substances, can result in fines or imprisonment. Be aware that this will not be a ‘cheap getaway’ as costs for basic goods are high, even shopping in local markets.
The language barrier
French is the official language of New Caledonia and more than 28 local dialects are also spoken across the four archipelagos. English is not widely used so brush up on some helpful French phrases before you go.
Customs and etiquette
If you are invited to visit the tribe or home of a Kanak family, always bring a small gift to offer – food, a few metres of a textile or money are appropriate items. In New Caledonia it’s considered impolite to cut into a conversation uninvited (you should wait to be asked), speak too loudly in public, arrive late to a pre-arranged meeting or fail to show respect to everyone, especially elders.
Money matters
The currency in New Caledonia is the Pacific franc, abbreviated to XPF or CFP and commonly referred to as the franc. It’s pegged to the value of the euro, with one euro equal to about 116 XPF. Major credit cards are accepted across New Caledonia. Euros, Australian dollars and New Zealand dollars are sometimes accepted. Alert your bank before you leave Australia, just in case your purchases are thought to be fraudulent and your account is frozen. Make sure your bank won’t hit you with extra fees when you use your credit card in New Caledonia. Your Australian bank and ATMs in New Caledonia will both charge you for withdrawing money from your debit card, too, so it might be worth organising a travel card (most banks have one) with low or no fees to use while you’re away.
Tipping is not customary in New Caledonia. Feel free to round up the bill at a restaurant or in a taxi, although it’s not expected.
Medical advice
Mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue and Zika, are still a small risk in New Caledonia. Wear mosquito repellent and see your doctor before you go to discuss other preventative measures, especially if you are pregnant or plan to be. Hospital standards are high in New Caledonia but very expensive. Smart Traveller warns that an intensive care bed in a Noumea hospital could cost upwards of $5500 per day.
Take out travel insurance before you leave for your trip.
Transport tips
The main mode of public transport in New Caledonia is the bus system. It’s made up of the Tanéo network, which has several routes across the main island, including two tourism-dedicated lines that stop at places of interest for visitors, and Raï, the interurban coach service that has 360 stops across the island. You can reach the islands by fast ferry or fly to Ouvéa, Tiga, Lifou and Maré on local airline Air Loyauté, with most flights taking about half an hour. The easiest way to get around islands Grande Terre, Lifou, Ouvéa, Isle of Pines and Maré is by rental car or scooter.
Please be aware that the bus timetables do not coincide with all flights – and travelling the 53 kms from the International Airport to Noumea by Shuttle Bus or Taxi will be expensive (XPF3,200 per person or XPF9,000 respectively).
Weather wise
Being in the South Pacific, the weather in New Caledonia is beautiful most of the time. The average temperature hovers around 20-27ºC year-round and there’s an average of 345 sunshine days annually. However, New Caledonia does experience a cyclone season from the end of November to May, with February to April being the most dangerous time. Bushfires are a risk from September to February.
Safety
Civil unrest occasionally results in protests and demonstrations in New Caledonia, which can be dangerous. Avoid large gatherings of people and political events. Petty theft and car break-ins are not uncommon, so always keep an eye on your belongings and keep expensive valuables concealed as much as possible.
There have been reports of drink spiking in New Caledonia, so never accept a drink from a stranger or leave your beverage unattended in a bar or restaurant.
Tap water
The tap water in New Caledonia is typically safe to drink but this can vary between islands and accommodation styles. The safest bet is to drink filtered or bottled water.
Phone calls and mobile data
There are a few emergency numbers in New Caledonia: 15 for medical emergencies, 17 for the police and 18 for fire and rescue services. New Caledonia has fast and reliable internet. Many hotels, bars and restaurants offer free wi-fi.
Gadgets
In New Caledonia the voltage is 220V, and the sockets are the European type, so you’ll need an adaptor to plug in New Zealand devices.