Best Time to Visit New Caledonia

Geographical location

New Caledonia is a group of islands off the Australian north-east coast in the South Pacific.

The total area of the islands is 11500 square miles, Grande Terre, with over 16,000 square metres, is the largest island in the archipelago and is home to the capital Nouméa and the international airport La Tontouta.

On Grand Terre lies Mont Panié (1628 m), the highest elevation of New Caledonia. The second largest coral reef in the world, the New Caledonian Barrier Reef, is located just off the coast and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

New Caledonia, together with Fiji, New Guinea and Vanuatu, is geographically part of the Melanesian archipelago. For a long time the country was a French colony and is today a so-called overseas territory of France with special status. For example, New Caledonia has its own currency, the former colonial currency CFP franc.

The distance from Berlin to Nouméa is about 9900 miles. For example, Air France, Qantas, Air Newzealand and Air Calédonie travel via Australia, New Zealand or Japan.

Climate in New Caledonia

The archipelago in the southern Pacific is located in the tropics. Due to the relatively large distance to the equator, the temperatures are somewhat cooler than on other South Sea islands. Along the main island runs a mountain range that brings a humid climate to New Caledonia in the north and east and a dry climate in the rain shadow lying west and south.

The southeast trade wind rains its humid air masses mainly on the eastern slopes of the mountains. As a result, the other regions of New Caledonia receive comparatively little rainfall. The eastern part of the island records 2500 to 157.48 in of rain per year, whereas on the western side less than 59.06 in of rain fall per year.

On the archipelago of New Caledonia, a fundamental distinction is made between two seasons. From December to March there is a warm, windy and rather humid climate in New Caledonia. It comes almost daily to short, very violent tropical showers. The average temperature is between 28 °C to 30 °C. The highest temperatures are reached in February.

Cyclones are particularly dangerous in the north winter. In this phase of the year, an extremely high air humidity, which can often exceed 80 %, is decisive. A cool and dry climate prevails in New Caledonia from April to November. The average day temperatures are between 22 °C to 27 °C. The lowest temperatures are in August.