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