| Information about New Caledonia and some | | | | France than the Pacific. It is quite cool and |
| reasons you might want to take a vacation in | | | | windy from June to September, so much so you |
| this part of the South West Pacific | | | | will need sweaters in the evening, and you |
| | | | will find the sea quite cool. December to |
| First of all where is New Caledonia? | | | | March is warm and wet, and is also the |
| | | | hurricane season, so beware. |
| New Caledonia is an overseas dependent of | | | | |
| France, and it lies in the Western Pacific in | | | | It is really the stupendous beauty of the |
| the Coral Sea with Australia to the west and | | | | Isle of Pines that is the draw, and to visit |
| Vanuatu to the east. | | | | New Caledonia and not go to the Kuto/Kanumera |
| | | | area, because this is picture postcard |
| If you want to go to New Caledonia, then the | | | | country with unbelievable white sand beaches |
| normal way is to fly to the capital city of | | | | and shimmering turquoise and blue sea. |
| Noumea, and you can fly direct from Paris by | | | | |
| Air France. New Caledonia is a popular place | | | | As a visitor there are things you just have |
| for Japanese tourists so there are direct | | | | to do. |
| flights from Tokyo, as well as Air New | | | | |
| Zealand, and Quantas. There aren't a whole | | | | 1. Snorkelling, Diving, and Windsurfing. The |
| lot of flights, and very little competition | | | | places to go include Ilot Canard just outside |
| so prices will be high. | | | | the Anse Vata if you are a beginner. See the |
| | | | Aguille de Prony which is a quite incredible |
| You must have a ticket to leave otherwise | | | | underwater structure just south of Noumea in |
| they won't let you in, and you'll need to | | | | the Prony Bay. |
| check with the airline you are using about | | | | |
| visa requirements. | | | | 2. You could do absolutely nothing except lie |
| | | | around getting a suntan. If you want to do |
| Noumea the capital is full of fine French | | | | that near Noumea then the Baie des Citrons |
| restaurants, designer boutiques, and for all | | | | and the Anse Vata are beaches to visit. |
| the world is like Paris in the sun, and it is | | | | |
| to be found on the west coast of the large | | | | 3. Stay at a resort on Ilot Maitre , which is |
| cigar shaped main island called Grand Terre. | | | | a tiny white sand island reachable by taxi |
| If you visit new Caledonia you really need to | | | | boat from Anse Vata or a boat from the Baie |
| go exploring, because although Grande Terre | | | | de Mouselle. |
| is an exciting place to be the finest beaches | | | | |
| are all on the islands. | | | | 4. Stay at one of the resorts on Grande Terre |
| | | | or the Isle of Pines. |
| At least cross over to the exotic east coast, | | | | |
| and go by boat to the Isle of Pines, the | | | | 5. Hiking and Camping on Grande Terre are |
| Loyalty Group of Islands, and the small | | | | popular, and you shouldn't miss the Parc |
| uninhabited dependency of Walpole Island. | | | | Riviere Bleu south of Noumea in the Yate |
| | | | region. Do join a hiking group. |
| The d'Entrecasteaux Reefs which consists of | | | | |
| two separate stunning lagoons centred around | | | | You need to be aware that French is spoken |
| the very small islands of Huon and Surprise. | | | | everywhere, and very few people will attempt |
| Much more distant are the Chesterfield | | | | to converse with you in English. You also |
| Islands, but there is plenty to see and enjoy | | | | need to be aware that New Caledonia is |
| much closer to Grande Terre. | | | | extremely expensive as much of the food you |
| | | | will eat has to be imported. This means that |
| New Caledonia is very much in the south | | | | restaurants are expensive, so you should shop |
| compared to other South pacific Islands, and | | | | in the markets and try the local delicacies. |
| so its climate is more like the south of | | | | |