Travel Stack Exchange
Travel Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [new-caledonia]

New Caledonia is an island territory in the South-West Pacific, an autonomous dependency of France

New Caledonia (Nouvelle Calédonie) is an autonomous dependency of France located in the south-west Pacific, to the north-east of . French is the official language and is almost universally understood. The currency is the French Pacific Franc (XPF).

New Caledonia includes the main island (called Grande Terre or sometimes “le Caillou” or just New Caledonia), the Loyalty Island, the Île des Pins and many smaller islands. The capital Nouméa is located on the main island.

Nationals of the EU and some other countries can visit for up to 3 months without a visa. Visitors who need a visa can get one from a French consulate.

Useful links

14 questions
16
votes
2 answers

How widely spoken is English in New Caledonia (Nouvelle-Calédonie)?

As I understand it, French is the main common language in New Caledonia, spoken by almost everyone there, but often as a second language. The wikipedia article doesn't seem to mention much about English though. Assuming you largely stick to the more…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
13
votes
2 answers

What are these mysterious green balls in the sea in New Caledonia?

I was recently in Baie d'Oro, Ile des Pins, New Caledonia, and the lagoon had dozens of these mysterious green balls rolling around the sea bed: They varied in size from large grape to small grape, with "skin" less than a millimeter thick and…
lambshaanxy
  • 99,971
  • 45
  • 616
  • 891
6
votes
1 answer

Transfers between La Tontouta (NOU) airport and Noumea

La Tontouta, the international airport for Noumea, New Caledonia, is located 45 km from the city and I'm having a hard time finding good information about transport options. With two adults and two children under 12, what would be the cheapest…
lambshaanxy
  • 99,971
  • 45
  • 616
  • 891
6
votes
1 answer

Where do you collect hire cars at Noumea Tontouta airport?

The Noumea Tontouta airport website has a map of the main floor on their site, which just has an arrow pointing into the distance for hire cars. On the overall airport plan there doesn't seem to be any hire car areas marked. Where are the hire cars…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
6
votes
1 answer

Is it possible to rent a car on Île des Pins in New Caledonia?

Using a worryingly large slug of hotel loyalty points, I've just booked a two night stay on Île des Pins in New Caledonia, which is often called l'île la plus proche du paradis (the island the closest to paradise!). At the very least I need to get…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
5
votes
1 answer

When and where can I buy alcohol in New Caledonia?

Supermarkets in New Caledonia have amazing selections of French wine and liquor, but half the time they seem to be roped off with "Closed" signs and I can't figure out the pattern: apparently 5 PM on Wednesday is not allowed, but 10 AM on a Sunday…
lambshaanxy
  • 99,971
  • 45
  • 616
  • 891
4
votes
1 answer

Prepaid mobile plans with data in New Caledonia

I will soon be visiting New Caledonia for a week and would like to get a local SIM card with mobile data. What are my options?
lambshaanxy
  • 99,971
  • 45
  • 616
  • 891
4
votes
3 answers

What destinations does Air Calin class as long haul?

On the Air Calin economy class page, it has this to say about catering: On long-haul flights from Noumea, passengers are served meals blending the scents and savours of New Caledonia with gourmet French and international cuisine. However, try as I…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
4
votes
1 answer

Is there a business class lounge at Noumea Tontouta airport?

For my upcoming trip to Noumea, the only seats left on the way home were in business class, so I'll be suffering the hardship of flying back at the pointy end... As I've had to pay more than planned for the ticket, I'd like to make the most of being…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
4
votes
1 answer

What are approved French travel agents whose organised trip grants Visa-free entry to French overseas territories

As per wikipedia, citizens from a group of developing countries (China, India etc) enjoy Visa-free entry of up to 15 days for each stay in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, for trips organized by an approved travel agency. The problem is such…
Tankman六四
  • 143
  • 3
3
votes
1 answer

Where can I find the official Duty Free allowances for New Caledonia?

I've tried searching for the Duty Free allowances for New Caledonia, but all I can seem to find are forum posts and summary information on duty free or airport websites. Some of these seem to conflict, so I'd really like to find the official rules…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
3
votes
2 answers

Are there places to hire windsurfing gear in New Caledonia?

Having seen videos like this, I'm thinking that New Caledonia is looking like a pretty amazing place to go windsurfing! However, all the videos I've seen seem to have been done by people who brought their own gear in with them. Are there places in…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
2
votes
0 answers

Convention d'Accueil

I have been offered a scientific research position (PostDoc) at Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) in New Caledonia for 1 year. I would like to apply for 'Long Stay Visa for Scientific-Researcher'. There is a required document…
user67018
  • 21
  • 1
-8
votes
2 answers

Are tourists in New Caledonia safer from terrorism than in metropolitan France?

I haven't heard about any recent terrorist attacks in New Caledonia (there was one back in 1988, but that had government members as hostages, as opposed to tourists or other ordinary bystanders). However, this could just be because it has a smaller…
Golden Cuy
  • 23,073
  • 16
  • 99
  • 211