About New Caledonia
Geography
This is a small emerald in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. New Caledonia is a French overseas territory in the Pacific. It is surrounded by a coral reef barrier that measures some 1,600 kilometres long, making it the country with the largest lagoon in the world. The coral reef provides a habitat for some unique fauna and flora with over 1,000 species of fish and 6,500 species of marine invertebrates. For the time difference, New Caledonia is 3 hours ahead of Hong Kong.
Climate
New Caledonia has a tropical climate and the weather is spring-like year round. Average temperatures are between 15 ° and 32 ° C depending on the season. The most popular time to visit New Caledonia is between April and November. Bring mostly light clothing, but also a windbreaker and a sweater for cooler evenings.
Discover
The Isle of Pines
The Isle of Pines, at the southernmost tip of New Caledonia, is known as the Jewel of the South Pacific. At twenty-minute flight south of Noumea, this island concentrates all the beauties of the Pacific. Boasting exquisite views of virgin nature, including deserted beaches, dramatic blue waters, and the luxuriant shade of banyan trees and columnar pines, it swiftly becomes clear why UNESCO counts the Island as a World Heritage Site.
Heart of Voh
Heart of Voh is located on the west coast of New Caledonia. It is a natural large formation of mangrove vegetation that resembles a heart. At ground level it is impossible to see the heart shape, it can only be seen from above. The Korean drama, Boys Over Flowers is also filmed in New Caledonia. It showed every aspect of the island, including the flashy resorts, heart-shaped island, helicopter tour and other leisure activities one can take part in on a holiday there.
Activities
Watersport
New Caledonia is a water sport lovers’ paradise. The warm water of the lagoon and its underwater splendors makes this island nation the perfect destination for surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, etc. Also, there are many half and full day trips that allow visitors to explore the crystal clear waters and UNESCO World Heritage Listed Lagoon surrounding Noumea.
Diving
New Caledonia offers an immersion into the magic that is the largest and probably most beautiful lagoon in the world. Forget about everything, whilst being wrapped up in the majestic silence of the sea. Professional divers from all round the world know that they can find something in New Caledonia that exists practically nowhere else – waters where they can indulge in their sport without being disturbed, some of the clearest waters on the planet, inhabited by an outstanding diversity of marine fauna.
Hiking
New Caledonia offers an exciting world of discovery for nature lovers and walkers. In fact, the Grande Terre (mainland) offers some of the best hiking in the South Pacific, with long, marked trails heading into mountain areas where native plants and birds flourish, and old mining and forest tracks which provide a real wilderness experience.
Extreme Sport
Extreme Sports enthusiasts will not be disappointed with the variety of adrenaline-enducing activities available here. Gliding enthusiasts will find a few corners on the Caillou (Rock) to take a chance playing Icarus, paragliding. Let’s discover Caledonia from the air. Visitors might try the safety of a tandem jump: 3000 yards with 40 seconds of freefall before the parachute opens and you can experience an unforgettable 10 minutes panoramic view of the sky, land and sea.
Travel Tips
Tourist Visa
New Caledonia tourist visa is not required for Hong Kong citizens for a stay up to 90 days.
Electricity
New Caledonia uses electricity at 220 V/50 Hz with plug type C, E and F. Visitors bringing appliances that require a different voltage will need a transformer and plug adapter.
Language
The official language is French, but about thirty Melanesian dialects are also spoken throughout the country.