There are many holidays and festivals in Nouméa every year.
Here are the top ones:
Every year, the traditional New Year fireworks display takes place over Sainte-Marie Bay in Nouméa, treating the capital city's residents to twenty minutes of magic. This huge pyrotechnical event never fails to impress onlookers of all ages.
21 June: Music Festival (national)Artists take over public spaces for a jam-packed evening of shows and concerts. Enjoy moving and grooving to the beat of the music, right in the heart of Nouméa.
14 July: Bastille Day (national)Nouméa celebrates Bastille Day with a parade of lanterns from Place Bir-Hakeim to Place des Cocotiers. The party continues at city hall, where a fireworks display is followed by the traditional community dance.
September: Nouméa CarnivalEvery year, the streets of Nouméa are flooded with brightly-coloured musical floats and dancers, including the famous Brazilian troupe Banda Momo. This popular festival is all about friendliness, and spectators are encouraged to come in fancy dress. The parade concludes with a spectacular fireworks display.
25 December: Christmas (national)December is when “Fairytale Nouméa” comes to town, complete with a myriad of coloured lights. All sorts of family-friendly shows are staged in Place des Cocotiers every evening throughout the month. The magic of Christmas is also all around, with a Christmas tree and a postbox for letters to Santa set up in Place de la Marne.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 23 | 30 | 111.8 | Good period to go
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February | 24 | 30 | 129.7 | Not the best period to go |
March | 23 | 29 | 168.3 | Not the best period to go |
April | 22 | 27 | 109.6 | Not the best period to go |
May | 20 | 26 | 91.9 | Not the best period to go |
June | 19 | 24 | 99.8 | Not the best period to go |
July | 17 | 23 | 67.1 | Good period to go
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August | 17 | 23 | 72.3 | Good period to go
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September | 18 | 25 | 39.2 | Good period to go
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October | 20 | 26 | 45.8 | Good period to go
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November | 21 | 27 | 55.6 | Good period to go
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December | 22 | 29 | 78.9 | Good period to go
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La Tontouta International Airport is located around 50 kilometres to the north of Nouméa.
Nouméa has an excellent public transport network, and much of the city can be reached on foot.
Travelling by car is still the most practical way of exploring Grande Terre and New Caledonia's smaller islands. The road network is well-maintained, but you also have the option of hiring a 4x4. Although there are plenty of service stations about nowadays, finding one that's open on a Sunday or certain bank holidays outside of Nouméa may still be difficult.
You'll be able to spot taxis in Nouméa by their colour: green and white. If you want to make a complaint, you'll need the licence number printed on the bodywork.
Taxis wait for customers in Nouméa's main stations. These are in the city centre at Nouméa market, Anse Vata and Nouméa Magenta Airport. You should always take the taxi at the head of the queue. You can expect a journey from the city centre to Anse Vata to cost around 1,600 XPF.
Water taxis are New Caledonia's most exotic and glamourous form of transport. They're a great way of getting to the idyllic islets surrounding Grande Terre. There are several private carriers to choose from.
The quickest way to get to the islands is by plane. The local domestic airline, Air Calédonie (www.air-caledonie.nc), offers daily flights out of Nouméa Magenta Airport to the Isle of Pines, which is around a 30-minute flight, and some of the Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou, Ouvéa) around 40 minutes away.
Air Loyauté (www.air-loyaute.nc) offers regular flights between the Loyalty Islands.
The high-speed Betico2 ferry serves the Isle of Pines, Maré and Lifou from Nouméa. Expect to spend around five hours on board to reach Lifou, four hours for Maré and two and a half for the Isle of Pines. You'll find timetables and prices at www.betico.nc
The bus network is very extensive, particularly in Nouméa. With the number 12 bus you can ride all along the bays from the Quai Jules Ferry (ferry terminal) to Anse Vata. Lines 10-11 go from the Nouville peninsula to Anse Vata and Ouen Toro, with stops at the Maritime Museum and Place des Cocotiers. Line 41 travels from the city centre to the Forest Park on weekends. Single tickets can be bought on the bus or in one of the many sales outlets (210 XPF).
The Raï intercity network (www.rai.nc) is a great way to explore New Caledonia at an extremely reasonable price. The comfortable, air-conditioned coaches stop at Grande Terre's main towns and cities. You can either buy your ticket on board the coach or at the bus terminal in Nouméa (prices range from 600 to 2,000 XPF).
Once you get to Nouméa, there are plenty of travel and tourism professionals who will be happy to give you more information and help you organise your trip.
Nouméa Tourist Information CentreThe Nouméa Tourist Information Centre has two different offices: one in the city centre and the other in Anse Vata.
Practical information and useful advice (accommodation, food and drink, transport, celebrations and festivals, cultural events, etc.)
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
New Caledonia has modern hospital facilities and is home to many healthcare specialists.
You do not need any vaccinations to visit New Caledonia.
For more information, please contact your Air France international vaccination centre:
You can drink the tap water in Nouméa.
Regardless of nationality, all visitors must be in possession of a passport that is valid for three months after the date of their departure.
For more information, please see the French New Caledonian High Commission:
http://www.nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr
For a stress-free visit to Nouméa, take a look at your country’s Foreign Office or Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Here are some Creole phrases which you might find useful during your stay in Nouméa:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour (morning)
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas
Could you repeat ?: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
What time is it ?: Quelle heure est-il ?
Sorry: Pardon
Excuse me: Excusez-moi
I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…)
How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?
What about tipping? People don't tend to tip in New Caledonia, and the prices displayed always include taxes.