{"id":7780,"date":"2019-02-25T18:32:25","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T17:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/?p=7780"},"modified":"2025-05-01T09:55:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T07:55:00","slug":"backpacking-new-caledonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/","title":{"rendered":"New Caledonia Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This archipelago, a &#8220;French overseas territory,&#8221; is considered for all intents and purposes to be part of France. It lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia. This country, unknown to many but definitely among the most beautiful in the world, offers not only stunning beaches and lush rainforests but also an extremely diverse culture. Additionally, it is home to the third longest coral reef on the planet!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I spent a couple of weeks exploring this beautiful archipelago while backpacking. In this guide, you will find a wealth of useful information and tips to help you better plan your trip.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#when\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to go to New Caledonia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#doc\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Documents and vaccinations to enter New Caledonia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#what\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to do and see in New Caledonia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#iti\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suggested itineraries in New Caledonia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#how\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to get around New Caledonia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backpacking New Caledonia: costs<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/nuova-caledonia-en\/backpacking-new-caledonia\/#safe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backpacking\u00a0 Caledonia: safety<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/baia_di_upi_nuova_celedonia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Upi Bay, Isle of Pines.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"when\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>When to go to New Caledonia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Caledonia essentially has two seasons: the dry season from May to October and the rainy season from November to April.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The climate in New Caledonia is considered semi-tropical. While the difference between the two seasons is distinct, it is less pronounced than in other countries closer to the equator. This makes New Caledonia a potential year-round destination without major weather-related issues. However, it is advisable to avoid February and March, which correspond to the peak of the rainy season and can include cyclonic activity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two other periods worth avoiding due to high tourism are mid-December to the end of January, which includes the Christmas holidays in Europe and the summer holidays in neighboring Australia and New Zealand, and July and August, which are the summer vacation months in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In my opinion, the best time to visit New Caledonia, avoiding high season prices and the peak of the rainy season, is from April to June and September to November. The latter period is generally less rainy and therefore preferable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hienghene_ponte.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>A pretty cool bridge in the Hienghene region.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"doc\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Documents and vaccinations to enter New Caledonia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most passport holders (with an expiration of less than 6 months) can enter New Caledonia without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As far as mandatory vaccinations are concerned, the only one required is yellow fever only in case you come from a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwnc.cdc.gov\/travel\/yellowbook\/2018\/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel\/yellow-fever\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">risky country<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Also when traveling I always recommend Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/baia_di_upi_isola_dei_pini.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Traditional pirogue.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"what\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in New Caledonia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, prices are expressed in the local currency called &#8220;CFP Franc&#8221; or &#8220;Pacific Franc&#8221; often abbreviated simply as &#8220;CFP.&#8221; The exchange rate at the time of publication of this article is 1\u20ac = 120 CFP. The Pacific Franc is pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate of 100 XPF = \u20ac0.838 euros. For the current exchange rate with other currencies, I suggest you look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.xe.com\/currencyconverter\/convert\/?Amount=1&amp;From=EUR&amp;To=XPF\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For convenience, the guide is divided into two sections, the first devoted entirely to the Grande Terre i.e., the main island of New Caledonia that is home to the capital Noumea, and the second devoted to the smaller islands.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/NUOVA-CALEDONIA.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"556\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. Several times throughout the guide you will find links to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you want to use offline navigation directly from the Alltrails app you need to upgrade to the pro version. However, you can get around this by downloading the coordinates from the desktop version of the site in &#8220;Google Earth KML&#8221; format and then uploading them to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/organicmaps.app\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organic Maps<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is by far one of my <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/app-travelling\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">favorite travel apps<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Grande Terre<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, &#8220;Grande Terre&#8221; refers to the main island, which, as you can see from the map, is the largest in the New Caledonia archipelago. To explore it independently, having a car is practically essential. Although there are bus connections between the main towns, they are infrequent and primarily only reach city centers, not points of interest or more rural areas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Noumea<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city is considered one of the most European capitals among all the Pacific islands. The vast majority of the archipelago&#8217;s population of European descent, primarily French, live here. While it may not be one of the most attractive cities in the world, its compact size, numerous nearby beaches, and a climate that statistically makes it the sunniest capital in the Pacific make it pleasant and livable. However, some neighborhoods, even those not far from the center, can be quite dirty and uninviting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Noumea<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All international flights, as well as flights and ferries to the smaller islands, depart from Noumea Airport. Because of this, you will most likely need to spend at least a few days in the city. Here&#8217;s what you can do during your stay.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Ouen_Toro_Noumea.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Ouen Toro Park.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Baie des Citrons, Anse Vata, ile aux Canards and \u00celot Ma\u00eetre<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baie des Citrons (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/6rtFVwDDNbNuEi52A\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and Anse Vata (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/yiiyWZuVhHaowz6K7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) are probably the two prettiest and most popular beaches in town, but don&#8217;t expect anything heavenly. For a decidedly more tropical feel, just take one of the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ileauxcanards.nc\/activites\/navette\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">taxi boats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that shuttle about every 10 minutes between Anse Vata beach and two islets just offshore: Ile aux Canards (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/T2di3kCAsGxnkT1H8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and Ilot Ma\u00eetre (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/jFTw7G1VbUiw58Qm8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ile aux Canards is smaller and has only a restaurant while Ilot Ma\u00eetre is larger and also has a hotel. Both are really nice, offer significantly better beaches than the &#8220;mainland&#8221; and excellent snorkeling, a nice way to spend the day. If possible avoid weekends when locals also flock to the two islets.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Anse Vata Bay I also recommend visiting Ouen Toro Park (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fdBQukJYFXu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), from the top of the hill where there is a war memorial, there are beautiful views of the city and the bay below. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Ile_aux_canards_Noume\u0301a.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ile aux Canards.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Jean-Marie Tjibaou Center Museum<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there is one museum you must visit in New Caledonia, it is undoubtedly this one (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/w5d2S6e1JJpNTwyU8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Renzo Piano designed the buildings that house the museum and in themselves are worth the entrance fee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The museum, located about 8 km north of downtown Noumea, celebrates the Kanak culture, the archipelago&#8217;s indigenous people, presenting the history and culture of this ethnic group before and after the advent of the French.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission costs 1000 CPF (students, children under 18 and seniors over 65 pay 500 CPF). You can get here by bus route N2, which runs every hour from Place Moselle (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/JzZFCqJD1o8t3kHF8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) with a journey time of around 25 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Museo_Jean_Marie_Tjibaou_Center.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Jean Marie Tjibaou Center.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>The Am\u00e9d\u00e9e Lighthouse (le Phare Am\u00e9d\u00e9e)\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This lighthouse located on the beautiful island of Am\u00e9d\u00e9e about 24 kilometers from Noumea is another particularly iconic and popular destination. Getting there is by no means cheap but all in all I think it is worth it, especially if as in my case your sister is willing to pay for it!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amedeeisland.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MaryD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has virtually a monopoly on organized excursions, the official price for adults is a whopping 16,500 CPF (about \u20ac130) and in addition to transportation to and from the island and transfer from the hotel, it includes a range of activities such as a tour on a clear-bottom boat, lighthouse entry, snorkeling, local dance demonstrations, coconut palm climbing, a welcome cocktail and an excellent buffet lunch.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it&#8217;s within your budget, it&#8217;s definitely a nice way to spend a day on what is undoubtedly a picture-postcard island. I especially recommend checking out the flash promotions, as there are some dates when the tour is sold for CPF 12,200.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An interesting alternative to the tour offered by MaryD is to use boat taxi companies that provide transportation to and from the island without including food and other activities. This service costs 6,500 CPF (about 50\u20ac). While it&#8217;s still not cheap, for a large group, the price can likely be negotiated. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/coconuttaxiboat.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coconut Taxi Boat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the company I found but I am sure there are others as well.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Il_Faro_di_Ame\u0301de\u0301e.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Am\u00e9d\u00e9e lighthouse.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How to get around Noumea?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public transportation is not bad at all and can be used to get almost anywhere within the city. The reference site for schedules and routes <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/itineraires.taneo.nc\/en\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is this one<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for travel to and from the international airport (La Tontouta) which is relatively far from the city center, the cheapest option is the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.carsud.nc\/voyager\/ligne-c-2017\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regular bus<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Line P4) which runs about every hour during the day but has less frequent runs in the evenings and on weekends, stop about 500 meters from the airport, 400 CPF, one and a half hours. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lyvai.com\/en\/activite\/navettes-tontouta\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private shuttles<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> leave as each flight arrives and wait just outside the entrance on the right, door-to-door service into town, 3000 CPF, about an hour. Finally a taxi is about 8500 CPF, 45 minutes.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Noumea?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those looking for an economical option, the choice is a must: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/nc\/auberge-jeunesse-noumea.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">auberges de jeunesse<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The facility, located atop a hill overlooking the city, is excellent. The dorms are spacious as are the common areas, and the kitchen is well equipped. I strongly recommend it but suggest booking well in advance as they often sell out. Among hotels, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/nc\/beaurivage.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotel Beaurivage<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems to be a good option that is not too expensive.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Parc Rivi\u00e8re Bleu and south of the Grande Terre<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nouvellecaledonie.travel\/destination\/grand-sud\/parc-provincial-de-la-riviere-bleue\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is located an hour&#8217;s drive south of Noumea, offers numerous trails in the greenery and truly impressive scenery. All trails are well marked and it is possible to camp inside the park in designated areas. A <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.province-sud.nc\/sites\/default\/files\/Webmaster\/PPRB-FLYER%202017-page-002.jpg\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">detailed map<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.province-sud.nc\/page-votre-province\/parc-provincial-riviere-bleue\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">park&#8217;s official website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be found here.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Parc_Rivie\u0300re_Bleu.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Parc Rivi\u00e8re Bleu.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see from the map, the southern part of the park is accessible by your own vehicle, while the northern part of &#8220;Pont P\u00e9rignon&#8221; can only be visited on foot, by bike, or via shuttles provided by the park. It is also possible to rent kayaks to explore the lake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the park&#8217;s landmarks are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oYrwXdZhyd92\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grand Kaori<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a thousand-year-old tree, the Kagu, a bird that lives exclusively in New Caledonia and can be seen frequently within the park, and finally the drowned forest (La For\u00eat Noy\u00e9e), a forest of small Kaoris that lies in the middle of Lake Yat\u00e9.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only access to the park is through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eXE5q5j4bdu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the official southern entrance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Admission is 600 CPF for adults. The park is open daily from 7am to 5pm, except Mondays.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also south of Noumea, about half an hour from the park entrance, I recommend a trip to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/xsqz88zYAYT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madeleine Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (there is an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Cvc4CDXqMh62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excellent riverside campground near the falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/bPjGP6hkAfu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yat\u00e9 Dam<\/span><\/a><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still further south is another reserve, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nz.newcaledonia.travel\/offers\/cap-ndua-mont-dore-en-nz-3914028\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R\u00e9serve naturelle du Cap N&#8217;Dua<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which I did not personally visit, however. Within it is an observation point for humpback whales that visit the region annually from mid-July to mid-September.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, to the south, we find one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Known as Cascade de Goro or sometimes Cascade de Wadiana, it is conveniently located along the road, making it easy to access (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4Uo86ypfHax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). At the base of the waterfall, it is possible to swim.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Kagu_Parc_de_la_rivie\u0300re_bleue.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Kagu.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>La foa<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This town, located about 100 km north of Noumea, is usually the first stop on a road trip north. Before even arriving in the town, I recommend stopping at Ouano Beach (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/7uAvoKM9cFdG9JuJA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) where there are a series of educational trails among the mangroves and a coastal trail connecting Ouano North and Ouano South beaches at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/9zpKw9WgXf81qrv39\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From here continue north, pass the town of La Foa and stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/592fkDindp12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fort Teremb\u00e0<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is a fort that served as a prison during the French colonial period, inside there is a rather interesting permanent exhibition. The fort is open to the public daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, admission for adults costs 600 CPF<\/span><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Bourail and Po\u00e9 Beach<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About fifty kilometers further north we find the small village of Bourail. In the village there is a small museum (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/t2LyUMu79x9pty6eA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) telling the history of the area and a couple of churches, but nothing more; I recommend continuing to Poe beach (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/xR35cZeyWmmhnPP57\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and spending the night here.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/spiaggia_di_Poe\u0301.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Po\u00e9 Beach.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The beach is really nice, definitely the most beautiful along the west coast of Grande Terre and is a great place to spend a couple of days relaxing. There is also the possibility of good snorkeling as the reef in this area is really close to the shore.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another activity I recommend is to follow the &#8220;Three Bays Trail&#8221; (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/new-caledonia\/south\/les-trois-baies?u=m&amp;sh=mxqbmj\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Trails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Leave your car at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/u6L9QY2chx62\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> just a stone&#8217;s throw from La Roche Perc\u00e9e and continue the trail to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SrBct46Jn2p\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bay of Turtles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Baie des tortues), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zwDnUGdEk4q\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Bay of Lovers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baie des amoureux), and finally <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WHFJdeahqkJ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this scenic spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before returning to your car along the inner trail or following the trail backwards.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/organicmaps.app\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organic maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> what has just been described is much clearer, and most importantly, the trails are plotted.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep at Po\u00e9 beach?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are a lot of campsites and more or less luxurious hotel facilities along the beach. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/nc\/auberge-de-poe.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auberge de Jeunesse de Po\u00e9<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an excellent budget option that offers private rooms, dormitories, and even camping. Free kayaks.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/baia_delle_tartarughe.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Bay of Turtles.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Voh<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This municipality in northern New Caledonia became famous because of a curious mangrove formation that, when viewed from above, is shaped like a giant heart.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To see the famous heart there are both scenic flights and hike to the top of Mt. Ketepai by 4&#215;4 but the cheapest option is undoubtedly to climb on foot. From the base to the top of the mountain is 5 and a half kilometers with 600 meters of elevation gain, so certainly nothing too hard (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/new-caledonia\/north\/point-de-vue-du-coeur-de-voh?u=m&amp;sh=mxqbmj\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Trails<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). In any case if you want you can stop further down where there is an observation platform that you reach after about 3 kilometers and 300 meters of elevation gain. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/LdQDmhyny9nspP3t7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can leave your car here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On google maps the trail is not plotted so for clarity I suggest you take a look at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/organicmaps.app\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organic maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I recommend leaving early in the morning from Po\u00e9, completing the hike and then continuing to Hienghene without spending the night in Voh. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/cuore_di_Voh.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Heart of Voh.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Hienghene<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is undoubtedly my favorite region of the Grande Terre, the entire stretch of coastline is truly scenic with sheer limestone mountains and lush rainforest contrasting in a landscape that at times resembles that of Halong Bay in Vietnam or some of the islands of Thailand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most iconic rock formation in the region is definitely the \u201cPoule couveuse de Hiengh\u00e8ne\u201d. This is a small island not far from the coast that with a little imagination looks like the outline of a Chicken. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/uyAkK2xjt2T2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the official viewpoint<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Poule_couveuse_de_Hienghe\u0300ne.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Poule couveuse de Hiengh\u00e8ne.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another excursion I recommend from Hiengh\u00e8ne is to the spectacular <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/P92qhgWA8h32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tao Waterfall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the whole way north is absolutely scenic and at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/cAqC3NzuzFH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you have to board a small ferry that shuttles frequently between the two banks of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ouai\u00e8me <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">River.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To conclude, the area offers excellent access to the nearby coral reef and numerous uninhabited islets. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.babou-plongee.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Babou C\u00f4t\u00e9 Oc\u00e9an<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dive center that doubles as a well-equipped campground at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NDG3SJdhfXQ2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is where I spent my nights in Hiengh\u00e8ne participating in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/2juchuTop1U2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hienga Island<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tour that includes a nature walk and some of the best snorkeling I have ever done in my life, highly recommended.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Isola_Hienga.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hienga Island Excursion.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><b>Where to sleep in Hiengh\u00e8ne?<\/b><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are numerous campgrounds in the area but in all honesty I think <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/7Tnv91CkYNs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Babou C\u00f4t\u00e9 Oc\u00e9an<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is hard to beat. On the other hand, if you are looking for more comfortable accommodation, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/koulnouevillage.nc\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotel Koulnoue Village<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems to be the only one nearby.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Hiengh\u00e8ne the classic Grande Terre road trip to New Caledonia comes to an end. Now it is time to return to Noumea and explore the islands. <\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/costa_Hienghene.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Hiengh\u00e8ne coast.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>The Islands<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The smaller islands are where you will undoubtedly find the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the New Caledonia archipelago so much so that many people snub Grande Terre a bit, unfairly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most famous and touristy, and the only one I have personally visited, is undoubtedly the Island of Pines (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00eele des Pins) <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which is located not too far from Noumea. The Loyalty Islands (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00eeles Loyaut\u00e9), of which Lifou, Mar\u00e9 and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ouv\u00e9a are the largest, are also definitely worth a visit, from what I have been told.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Isle of Pines<\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To explore the island, as opposed to the Grande Terre I personally do not think it is necessary to have a car especially if you are staying in Kuto and are willing to get around the island by bicycle, given the size it is absolutely doable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I recommend staying at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/nataiwatch.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nataiwatch GuestHouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is about two kilometers from the pier (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/9rPRYvBjmmP2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">location<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and can therefore be easily reached on foot if desired. The facility offers both bungalows and camping within walking distance of what I think is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Kanumera Beach (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/TU6eJBKRxm5whhMy7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and even Kutu Beach (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/ct92xt6JuxX2bH2w7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Maps<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is not far away at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/baia_di_kanumera.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Kanumera bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From the facility it is possible to rent bicycles with which over the course of a day one can easily ride to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/WoagHMmuzDC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oumagne caves<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> passing through the island&#8217;s main villages and perhaps visiting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/7rpAs1wqVwchcriBA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cemetery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and prison ruins of a penal colony (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/Rxc4Ter46wTY8SjG8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vestiges Du Bagne<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/grotte_d\u2019Oumagne_isola_dei_pini.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Grotte d\u2019 Oumagne.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A visit to Pine Island cannot be considered complete without seeing the famous natural pools <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Piscine Naturelle). To do this I recommend joining the tour that at Nataiwatch is called \u201c<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nataiwatch.com\/eng\/activites.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditional boat trip<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d. Basically, in the morning you are loaded onto a minibus and head south to the beautiful <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AwLhhAssTkH2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upi Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; here you board a pirogue that crosses the entire bay from south to north before being dropped off on the beach and thus being able to walk a few kilometers (less than an hour) through the forest until you get to the natural pools where you spend a couple of hours before returning to Nataiwatch. The whole excursion is not exactly cheap but I think it is really worth it!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, through the camp or even other agencies on the island, other activities and excursions such as snorkeling, diving, visiting other islets, etc. etc. can be arranged.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. The tour to the natural pools, and any other activity, in all likelihood can be cheaper if you contact the company in question directly, which in the case of snorkeling\/diving is the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.kuniedive.com\/index.html\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kunie Sorry Center<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or alternatively you could ask the other agencies located around Kuto.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/piscine_naturali_isola_dei_pini.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piscine Naturelle.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in the Isle of Pines?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned above, I recommend <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/nataiwatch.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nataiwatch GuestHouse<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The location is great, it can easily be walked to from the pier, the beach is literally no more than 100 meters away, and the facilities are also of very good quality. You can camp or rent bungalows. If you are looking for some more luxurious alternatives, <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kou-bugny.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotel Kou Bugny<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a short distance away and has acceptable prices. Finally, if you can afford it, you can always stay a stone&#8217;s throw from the natural pools at <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/nc\/le-ma-c-ridien-ile-des-pins.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hotel Le Meridien<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>How to reach the Isle of Pines?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have two options, the cheapest is by sea aboard a ferry, the company is <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.betico.nc\/fr\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Betico<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, buying the ticket online gives you a discount of 300 CPF, also promotions are often made. The ferry takes about 2 hours but may not leave because of bad weather and does not have departures every day.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more expensive alternative is by air from Noumea Magenta Airport (not La Tontouta International Airport) with <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-caledonie.nc\/en\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirCaledonie<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which offers daily departures that are significantly less weather-prone. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/baia_di_Upi.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"625\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Traditional boat trip.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>The Islands of Loyalty (Lifou, Ouv\u00e9a, Mar\u00e9 and Tiga) and how to reach them<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifou, Ouv\u00e9a and Mar\u00e9 can be reached either by plane with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-caledonie.nc\/en\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirCaledonie<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or by ferry with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.betico.nc\/fr\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Betico<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Noumea, again the ferry is cheaper but more subject to weather and less frequent departures. From what I have been told there are cargo ships that accept passengers and are obviously significantly cheaper than plane and ferry but I strongly recommend asking locally.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For inter-island travel, on the other hand, boat connections are infrequent and it is best to ask locally, while by air <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-loyaute.nc\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirLoyaute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> airlines operate several flights between all the Loyalty Islands including little Tiga (a couple of times a week).<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Lifou<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lifou is the second-largest island in the New Caledonia archipelago (after Grande Terre) and the largest and most populous of the Loyalty Islands, as well as the most frequented by passing cruisers who often stop at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/kpTF1zcTXQC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the northwest to make day trips. To visit Lifou freely, as opposed to the Isle of Pines, given its size it may be advisable to rent a car.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/8jsdKnETsW12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Jokin Cliffs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Falaises de Jokin) are probably the island&#8217;s most famous attraction, here concrete stairs give access to a really pretty little bay that offers some great snorkeling.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further south, however, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eBcs1jXHDnr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luengoni<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Beach is famous for being a bay where turtles can often be seen. There are also several vanilla plantations on the island that can be visited; I think it almost goes without saying that scattered along the coast are plenty of world-class diving spots. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/scogliere_di_jokin_lifou.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>The Jokin Cliffs.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Ouv\u00e9a<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This beautiful island is only 35 kilometers long and only 40 meters wide in some sections. It has a single road running north-south and a white beach that stretches 25 kilometers on the inland side and overlooks the large lagoon formed by the reef (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ubwPtnxMwzq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just to give you the idea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to the beautiful beach and the almost endless opportunities for diving and snorkeling, you might check out the small Church of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/pvDDJQZhPu82\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Holy Name of Mary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/jJxhsganowu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hanawa the Blue Gallery of Turtles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Trou Bleu d&#8217;Hanawa), and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AmXAdqsDVmw\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Coconut Oil and Soap Factory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (free visit).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those looking for a place to camp, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/owgxwBEi2QF2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Camping de Lekine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> seems to be a good solution. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/ouvea_Trou_Bleu_d\u2019Hanawa.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"625\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Trou Bleu d\u2019Hanawa.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Mar\u00e9<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The southernmost island in the Loyalty Islands archipelago is also the highest, with its 5 layers of reefs in fact reaching almost 130 meters in elevation at the highest points, and the entire island is characterized by steep cliffs, dense rainforest, numerous sinkholes (similar to Cenotes in Mexico) and of course beautiful beaches and numerous snorkeling and diving opportunities. Even in Mar\u00e9, given its size, it is advisable to have a car.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main attractions of the island are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wkEypMDQ53E2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leap of the warrior<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Le Saut Du Guerrier), <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tpUV6Ur85PU2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shabadran Bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where there is a small beach considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world that can only be reached at the end of two hours of walking among sharp corals and lush vegetation which makes it decidedly unvisited (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aventurierduglobe.net\/2016mare03.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">excellent photo story<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Finally, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/N87W9Pdb9TC2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Natural Aquarium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a beautiful natural pool nestled in the forest that can be reached at the end of a short trail.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/baia_di_shabadran_mare.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Shabadran bay.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Tiga<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiga is by far the smallest island of the Loyalty Islands, in fact measuring only 6 kilometers in length and two kilometers in width, tourism is decidedly underdeveloped but it is possible to visit in a day trip from Lifou if there are enough people interested in the excursion.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the island it is as if time has stood still and its inhabitants still live as they once did, and the entire island is considered a tribute to the traditions of the indigenous tribes. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/tiga_vista_dal_cielo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Tiga island.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"itinerari\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"iti\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2><b>Suggested itineraries in New Caledonia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Given a time frame there is no perfect itinerary so I encourage you to take the following as inspiration and adapt the itinerary according to your interests and what you have read so far.<\/span>\r\n<h4><b>Two-week itinerary in New Caledonia<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/nuova_caledonia_itinerario_viaggio-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"556\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Noumea (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you arrived the previous evening or early morning then you could visit the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Center museum in the morning and then one between the islets Le aux Canards and Ilot Ma\u00eetre.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If budget is not an issue then visit the Am\u00e9d\u00e9e Lighthouse otherwise spend another day at the beach or go directly to the next day of the itinerary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Parc Rivi\u00e8re Bleu (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a rental car and visit the Parc Rivi\u00e8re Bleu.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Poe&#8217;s Beach (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leave early in the morning because you have a long day ahead. Visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4Uo86ypfHax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cascades de <\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/xsqz88zYAYT2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">la Madeleine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4Uo86ypfHax\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cascades de Wadiana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before heading north to La Foa, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/592fkDindp12\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fort Teremb\u00e0<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Yrt9wudYe6n\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ouano Beach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and finally reach Poe Beach where you will spend the night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the morning complete the Three Bays Trail and spend the afternoon at the beach in Poe.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Hienghene (3 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 6:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to Voh, climb to the top of Mount Ketepaik to see Voh&#8217;s famous heart and then head to Hienghene to spend the night.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 7:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the coast to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/P92qhgWA8h32\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tao Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 8:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excursion to coral reefs\/islands in front of Hiengh\u00e8ne.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Noumea(1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 9:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Return to Noumea.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Isle of Pines (4 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 10:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Noumea &#8211; Isle of Pines transfer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 11:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the island and its many bays by bicycle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 12:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excursion to Upi Bay and natural pools.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 13:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Snorkeling\/diving\/other excursions or simply relaxing on the beach.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 14:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Return to Noumea.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is essentially the itinerary I followed. I believe it strikes a good balance between exploration and beach time. However, if you prefer more beach activities or are seeking a purely &#8220;tropical&#8221; trip and only have two weeks available, you might consider skipping Grande Terre in favor of the Loyalty Islands.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Three-week itinerary in New Caledonia<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With three weeks to spare in addition to the itinerary just described, you can easily include a week in the Loyalty Islands, perhaps choosing two from Lifou, Ouv\u00e9a, Mar\u00e9<\/span><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"how\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to get around New Caledonia<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, the best way to get around Grande Terre is undoubtedly by renting a car. The main roads are in excellent condition, and traffic is moderate, making driving quite pleasant.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renting a small car, which is more than sufficient to explore the island, starts at 30-35\u20ac per day for a week. For those on a tight budget, I highly recommend staying in a hostel in Noumea and asking if someone is willing to share the rental costs. You might also be lucky enough to find a ride. For example, my sister and I easily found two French women who were more than happy to share a car during our road trip to Grande Terre. You can compare car rentals by checking out sites like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovercars.com\/?a_aid=ilbackpacker\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discover Cars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/noleggio_macchina_nuova_caledonia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>When you choose a small car to save money.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for the islands, starting from Noumea there are two options to reach them: the cheapest in principle is by ferry with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.betico.nc\/fr\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Betico<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the second by plane with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-caledonie.nc\/en\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirCaledonie<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While for travel between islands there are cargo ships and possibly other ships but nothing scheduled and it is best to ask locally, while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-loyaute.nc\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirLoyaute<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers daily flights.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In conclusion, if you plan to visit multiple islands, I strongly suggest you take a look at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-caledonie.nc\/produits-services\/le-pass\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirCaledonie Pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which basically includes 4 routes of your choice for 30388 CPF. It can be really advantageous in certain situations but I still recommend you take a look at the single fares because, especially outside of peak season, there are often promo fares that if booked individually are cheaper than the pass, do your math.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"cost\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking New Caledonia: costs<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Caledonia is by no means a cheap country. Prices in many respects are comparable to those of some western countries, sometimes even higher, especially when it comes to imported goods.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/planning\/40-tips-for-backpackers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">traveling cheaply<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in New Caledonia is definitely possible. Camping is extremely popular, and sites are numerous and well-equipped throughout the archipelago. In fact, the only night I spent in a hostel was in Noumea; everywhere else, I camped. On average, camping costs no more than 5-10\u20ac per night.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If camping is not for you, be cautious about relying solely on online booking sites for accommodations. There are many more lodging options on the islands than those listed on the internet. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nouvellecaledonie.travel\/planifier-son-voyage\/hebergements\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a look at this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Additionally, even on this recommended website, not all available accommodations are listed, especially the &#8220;Kanak homestays&#8221; (accommodations provided by the indigenous people), which are often very affordable compared to hotels.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/bougna_nuova_caledonia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/><\/em>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Bougna, typical local dish.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for transportation, to and from the islands the fares are fairly standard but keep an eye on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.betico.nc\/fr\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Betico<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.air-caledonie.nc\/en\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AirCaledonie<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sites that often make seasonal deals online. As previously mentioned, the best way to save money on car rentals is by sharing. Also, keep in mind that in some cases, a bicycle might be sufficient. Hitchhiking is generally safe and is undoubtedly an economical option.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, try to bring a mask and snorkel from home. This is probably the best advice I can give you to enjoy the wonders of this amazing country without necessarily having to rent equipment every time!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In conclusion, by camping, cooking most of your meals, and avoiding renting a car by yourself when possible, it is definitely possible to explore the country on a budget of 30-40\u20ac per day, including some guided activities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/snorleo\u0300ing_isola_dei_pini.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Snorkelling.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"safe\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking<\/b> <b>New Caledonia: safety<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Caledonia is generally a safe country, and crime is practically nonexistent on the smaller islands. The only place that didn&#8217;t give me a good feeling was the port area of Noumea in the evening, but like all cities of a certain size, there are neighborhoods best avoided, especially at night.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in the water, it&#8217;s worth following a few precautions. Avoid contact with sea urchins and corals. The Tricot Ray\u00e9 is a sea snake endemic to New Caledonia. It is extremely venomous but also very shy, only attacking if it feels threatened and tends to avoid contact with humans.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the most part, don&#8217;t worry too much\u2014New Caledonia is not a dangerous country to visit. If you&#8217;re looking for more tips, you can always read <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/backpacking-safety\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">my advice on how to travel safely anywhere in the world<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Update: There has been significant political unrest in recent years, so <a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/traveladvisories\/traveladvisories\/new-caledonia-travel-advisory.html#:~:text=New%20Caledonia%20%2D%20Level%203%3A%20Reconsider%20Travel&amp;text=The%20French%20Government%20has%20taken,measures%20imposed%20in%20your%20province.\">make sure you get up-to-date information about the situation<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Are you planning a trip to Singapore? Check out these posts:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/best-travel-cards\/\">The best cards for traveling<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/packing-list\/\">What to bring on your trip<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ilbackpacker\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QTBBEQQCE37GA\">For donations\/pizzas and virtual beers<\/a> \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Did you like the post? Pin it!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7605\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_new_caledonia.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"330\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_new_caledonia.png 330w, https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_new_caledonia-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This archipelago, a &#8220;French overseas territory,&#8221; is considered for all intents and purposes to be part of France. It lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia. This country, unknown to many but definitely among the most beautiful in the world, offers not only stunning beaches and lush rainforests but also an extremely diverse culture. Additionally, it is home to the third longest coral reef on the planet! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I spent a couple of weeks exploring this beautiful archipelago while backpacking. In this guide, you will find a wealth of useful information and tips to help you better plan your trip.<\/span>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nuova-caledonia-en"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7780","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7780"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7780\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6165"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7780"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7780"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7780"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}