【Language】French is the official language, but the local indigenous Kanak people also speak their own language. English is moderately useful for communication.
【Transportation】Departing from Sydney, it takes about 3 hours by flight to reach New Caledonia. There are no direct flights from mainland China, so connecting flights from Japan or Singapore are common, with a travel time similar to going to Tahiti.
【Cost of Living】The local currency is the Pacific Franc (CFP), where 1 USD is approximately 110 CFP. Prices are higher than in Sydney but slightly lower than in Tahiti.
【Visa】For some countries, a visa for French overseas territories needs to be obtained in advance, similar to Tahiti. However, tourists from any country arriving by cruise from Australia or New Zealand do not need a visa.
【Travel Time】May to October is the best time to visit, with clear and comfortable weather, ideal for beach holidays and outdoor activities.
【Hotels】As a French overseas territory, there are internationally recognized hotel chains available at reasonable prices.
【City】Noumea is clean and well-maintained, with excellent infrastructure. It differs significantly from Vanuatu, possibly due to transportation and visa issues. There are few Chinese faces, with Japanese tourists being the main Asian visitors.
【Popular Attractions】Lifou Island is a famous destination, particularly for its stunning views. Many visitors come to New Caledonia primarily for Lifou Island, which is incredibly picturesque. I hope to have the opportunity to visit next time.
【One-day Tour Route】If you visit the tourist center, there are local travel agencies on the right side as you exit. There are generally three types of tours:
- Private Tour (Mini Van, 6-10 people): Charged hourly, usually for 4 hours, allowing in-depth exploration of the southern beaches and northern cultural sites (such as the Tjibaou Cultural Center).
- Full-day Sea Excursions: Destinations like Amedee Island and Signal Island are popular. Signal Island is currently in high demand, and if you plan to disembark or book through other channels, it is recommended to visit the tourist center early, as spots quickly sell out. The latest departure is at 11:00, returning to the tourist center by 2:30.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus or small train: This is a sightseeing tour vehicle that can take you to the morning market for crab bread, a large supermarket, and two beautiful beaches (Lemon Bay and Anse Vata). Only Lemon Bay is suitable for swimming. In October, the sea is very cold. The cost is 15 USD per person. I recommend taking the entire route first, identifying the preferred spots, and then disembarking during the second round.
