The Best Time to Visit New Caledonia

See Also:

• Accommodation options in New Caledonia

What is the best time of year to visit New Caledonia?

The months of May, June, September, and October offer the best of both worlds in New Caledonia – great weather and less crowds. These months are the ideal time for water sports, sightseeing, and getting good deals of hotels.

• Best Time to Visit New Caledonia: May, June, September, and October.
• Best Timeframe to Visit New Caledonia for Pleasant Weather: May through October.
• Prime Time for Sightseeing: May, June, September, and October.
• Prime Periods for Honeymoons: May, June, September, and October.
• Best Time for Diving & Snorkeling: June through October.
• Best Time for Outdoor Activities: June through September.
• Best Time for Saving Money: Clearly, it`s wise to avoid the peak seasons. Mid-December to the end of January, as well as July, and especially August constitute high season when hotel rates increase and flights are often overbooked.
• Prime Moment for Sightseeing: There are two key things to think about when scheduling a visit. First, though New Caledonia experiences warmer weather than nearby Pacific islands, it still has two predominant seasons – the `dry` period from May to October, and the `wet` phase from November to April. During the latter, heavy downpours are frequent, humidity levels can be draining, and tropical cyclones are always possible. Secondly, try to avoid the two vacation peak times if possible. Mid-December to the conclusion of January is when hotels and flights are overflowing with Australians and New Zealanders taking advantage of school holidays, and many French citizens are escaping their winter weather. Additionally, hotel rates climb even higher in July and August as large groups arrive from France and other parts of Europe.
• Optimum Interval for Snorkeling & Scuba Diving: Despite the world`s largest lagoon, encircling all the islands completely, and 1,600km of reefs (Earth`s second biggest), water sports are not huge attractions – likely as New Caledonia offers much above water. Nonetheless, abundant marine life, underwater caverns and coral gardens to explore, as well as crystal clear inland pools for snorkelers exist. Best transparency, least impacted by rains, waves and winds, is from June to October.
• Best Period for Outdoor Activities: While weather can impact outdoor activities – whether rough surf cancels boat trips (but please surfers) or calm winds please kayakers (but disappoint sailors) – the excellent roads and inter-island transportation are very infrequently impacted by winds, waves or rains. Staying away from the changeable months surrounding the wet season, June to September are perfect for all things outside, with day after day of mild temperatures and minimal rain almost guaranteed. But note: hiking in the mountains will always be cold; even literally freezing in the middle of ‘winter’ (July and August).
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New Caledonia Travel Seasons

• Peak Season (mid-December to the end of January, July and August): From around 15 December to 30 January, and even more so around the Christmas/New Year period, the islands bustle with families taking advantage of school holidays in Australia and New Zealand, and with French people escaping their wintry homeland. The French also visit their beloved Melanesian territory in large numbers during July, and especially August.
• Shoulder season (May, June, September and October): An optimal time, avoiding periods of rain and inconsistent weather on either side, as well as peak holiday travel for visitors from Australia, New Zealand and France.
• Low Season (November to mid-December, and February to April): The entire rainy period, when heavy showers are common, humidity is often unpleasant, and cyclones remain possible, but outside of the high period from mid-December to late January.

New Caledonia Weather by Month

• Weather in New Caledonia During January: In the midst of the rainy season, with frequent tropical low-pressure areas bringing heavy rains and strong winds that regularly blow at around 100km per hour. Temperatures can rise to 30°C, but average 26°C in Noumea. Humidity levels can become uncomfortable, but trade winds which blow for 250-300 days per year help to moderate this effect. From November through April, cyclones and associated storm warnings could easily and quickly impact travel plans. Always stay alert – and check local media, hotel announcements and official website.
• New Caledonia Weather in February: The conditions remain humid and rainy during this time period with temperatures occasionally reaching around 30°C but averaging 26°C. Cloud covered skies with light drizzles are virtually unheard of; tourism authorities actually state there are only 20 days per year without any sunlight. The average yearly rainfall on Grande Terre Island is approximately 1,700mm which is considerably less than Vanuatu for example, however rainfall does fluctuate significantly: the eastern coast receives about twice as much precipitation as the western. In Noumea, February is the rainiest month on average, but rainfall only falls on 9 days commonly.
• New Caledonia Weather in March: Moisture levels remain elevated, continuing the pattern of the preceding months. It is the second rainiest month with only marginally less precipitation than February. Conditions stay warm averaging 26°C but rising to 29°C on some days. The risk of tropical cyclones persists until the end of April, so vigilance is advised and disruption due to severe conditions should be anticipated. Cyclone Hola passed through in March 2018, and Cyclone Pam brought extensive devastation to nearby Vanuatu in March 2015.
• New Caledonia Weather in April: The hot, damp and uncomfortable weather continues, although the official end of the wet season is nearing. A changeable month when rains may linger, but temperatures remain almost as high as the previous 3 months. But the rainfall does start to decrease significantly in Noumea.
• New Caledonia Weather in May: An unsettled month as the precipitation gradually decreases though the dry period hasn`t fully started yet. Temperatures reduce a couple of degrees Celsius, but it is the humidity that noticeably decreases. Oddly, a bit more rain in May than April, but it falls less regularly, so there are more days with nothing but sunshine.
• Weather Patterns in June for New Caledonia: Many residents refer to the months of June, July and August as ‘winter,’ when pleasant, mild and arid days continue. Temperatures noticeably decrease this month, averaging from 22°C to 24°C during the day – enough for locals to don a jumper or jacket, particularly when the mercury falls below 20 at night. Interestingly, June sees more rain than April and May in Noumea, but there’s a considerable uptick in sunny dry days per month.
• New Caledonia Weather in July: July and August represent the 2 coldest months, with average daytime highs of 20°C to 22°C, falling as low as 17°C at night. Any areas near the mountains will surely be cold, potentially freezing overnight. This month also provides the greatest sunlight: an average of 7 hours daily in Noumea.
• New Caledonia Weather in August: The chilliest month with temperatures averaging 20°C, but sometimes decreasing to 17°C after sunset, so keep an extra layer or jacket available. While perfectly moderate and dry for outside activities including hiking, it remains decidedly cool in the mountains. This is also the peak month for tourists from France, where ironically, conditions are likely warmer.
• New Caledonia Weather in September: Rainfall in Noumea is lowest, barely 40mm, which is less than one-third of the wet season months. Average daytime temperatures of 21°C mean locals continue wearing a jumper; perhaps even 1 more after dark. Another plus is fewer tourists as thousands of French people reluctantly return home. With the smallest number of rainy days all year, sea temperatures also remain the lowest at about 22°C.
• Climate Conditions in New Caledonia for October: A changeable month as the dry season ends and the impending wet season starts. More precipitation than September but fewer wet days, suggesting the rain is heavy but intermittent, allowing plenty of sunshine. Temperatures range from 7°C (overnight) to 26°C (throughout the day), averaging around 23°C, with rainfall increasing later in the month.
• Weather in New Caledonia During November: While officially the beginning of the wet season, conditions can remain reasonably dry, with only 5 days of rain and plenty of sunshine across the islands; in fact, precipitation is not vastly higher this month than in August in Noumea. However, November is notable for the elevated number of rainy days and temperatures. Also, this period (until April) signals when cyclones are possible, so perpetual vigilance is advised.
• New Caledonia Weather in December: Significant boost in the number of rainy days and amount of precipitation per month, starting a period until March with more-or-less the same rainfall and temperatures. The threat of possible cyclones amplifies, and also a very busy time as Australian, New Zealand and French tourists arrive in droves).

New Caledonia Holidays, Events and Festivals

Residents of New Caledonia benefit from holidays sanctioned by local government administrators in keeping with French traditions.

New Caledonia Events in January

• New Year’s Day (1st) – celebrated widely with an official public holiday.

New Caledonia Events in February

• Duck Island Crossing (changeable) – annual swim across the calm waters to Île aux Canards (Duck Island) from Anse Vata (Noumea).
• Mardi Gras (changeable, late February) – dancing, music, processions, cuisine and games in Noumea. Especially for children (and much more modest than events with the same name elsewhere).

New Caledonia Events in March

• Sacred Festival of the Yam (date varies, mid-March) – observes the beginning of the important food crop`s harvest, with blessings to the gods across many tribal areas.
• Easter (date changes yearly, March/April) – celebrated all over the islands. Some facilities close for 4 days, while the following Monday is a public holiday.

New Caledonia Events in April

• Fine Print Fair (first fortnight of April) – Local and foreign artists showcase etchings, lithographs, silkscreen prints and carvings. In Anse Vata (Noumea).

Hotel website • Examine prices for Best Western

• Giant Omelette Festival (date varies, usually April/May) – music, dancing, beauty pageants, craft stalls and the chance to eat some of the Giant Omelette. Held over 2 days during the second weekend after Easter in Dumbéa, just north of Noumea.
• Le Moustache: Offers elevated Greek and Mediterranean cuisine alongside quality cocktails while providing panoramic views of the caldera at sunset.
• The Noumea International Triathlon has a challenging but scenic course around the bays of Noumea.
• Avocado Fair (late April, and sometimes early May) – 3-day festival celebrating the end of the harvest season. On Maré Island in the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia, where avocados are especially flavorful. With dancing, music, and the featured fruit being enjoyed.

New Caledonia Events in May

• Labour Day (1st) – national holiday, with cultural displays, music and dances across the territory.
• Victory Day (8th) – public occasion commemorating the conclusion of WWII in Europe.
• Ascension Day (changeable) – public holiday, forty days after Easter Sunday.
• Whit Monday (date varies, May or June) – also called Pentecost, a public holiday and religious observance.
• Seasonal festivity and competitions (variable, mid-May) – family-friendly gathering, with challenges for meat item intake and shellfish extraction. Over 2 days at Boulouparis, roughly 70km northwest of Noumea.
• Koumac Fair (schedule varies) – three days of events throughout this inland town in northern New Caledonia, like exploring caves and hiking in rainforests.
• Tourism Exhibition (changeable, sometimes in June) – week-long, featuring traditional entertainment, weaving, sculptures and activities for families. At the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea.
• Caledonian Festival of Undersea Photographs (changeable) – A 4-day event featuring screenings and competitions of films and photos about marine life, accompanied by exhibits.

New Caledonia Events in June

• Lagoon Festival (changeable, early June) – weekend showing appreciation for the splendor of the landscapes, citizens and goods of Ouvéa (Loyalty Islands). Also, furthering ecological awareness.
• Ocean Fair (mid-June) – for 2 days at Poum (top of the main island), home to remarkable traditional fishermen. Events include sand sculptures, fishing contests and sampling local seafood.
• Music Festival (21st) – celebrating all forms of music across the territory, leading into the Noumea Birthday.
• Noumea Birthday (from the 22nd to the 25th) – celebrated enthusiastically. Parades, street lanterns and concerts are held.
• French Cheese Festival (timetable varies) – celebrating brie and Camembert, among others, at Noumea and Bourail (midway up the main island). Abundant tasting of local and imported products.
• Yaté Farmers’ Market (schedule varies) – an opportunity to purchase produce directly from indigenous tribes. Entertainment focused on culture is typically presented at Yaté in New Caledonia`s southeast region.
• The Isle of Pines Fair (date varies) – Three days filled with traditional dancing, music, arts and cuisine across the beautiful Île des Pins, just offshore from the southern mainland.

New Caledonia Events in July

• La Foa Film Festival (dates subject to change, usually late June to early July) – screenings and competitions held across multiple days in Noumea and La Foa (110km north of the capital).
• Ura Festival (13th) – agricultural and maritime displays on Maré (Loyalty Islands). Honoring the renowned underground springs with markets and craft stalls.
• San Diego Museum Month: Entry to over 40 museums is half the standard cost. A ideal time to explore Balboa Park which is home to nearly half the museums in San Diego.
• Thio Fair (changeable) – fantastic exhibition of locally cultivated foods, handicrafts, and songs from Thio (120km north of Noumea).
• Caledonian Crossing (variable) – a 2-day foot race around Noumea.

New Caledonia Events in August

• Clark Cup (early August) – major equine race held in Noumea.
• Assumption Day (15th) – public holiday, with religious ceremonies happening across the islands.
• Rural event in Bourail (weekend in mid-August) – occurring since the late 19th century. Rodeos, food stalls, beauty pageants, and children’s activities over 3 days at Bourail, located midway along the west coast of the main island.
• A ceremony known as the Whale Festival (date varies) marks the beginning of whale watching season in Mont-Dore, near Noumea.
• Espirit Live Festival (subject to change) – popular music event among New Caledonia`s youth. Free concerts featuring local and international artists.
• One event is the International Marathon of Noumea, occasionally held in July, that follows the scenic harbors surrounding Noumea as part of a worldwide circuit.
• Sandalwood & Honey Festival (date varies) – Highlighting traditional customs in the stunning setting of Sandwich Bay on Lifou (Loyalty Islands).

New Caledonia Events in September

• BlackWoodstock Rock Event (late August or early September) – huge occasion at Fort Teremba (125km northwest of Noumea).
• Loyalty Islands Fair (early September) – local produces, cultural traditions, seafood and music offered over the span of 3 days. Hosted rotating between the principal islands of Maré, Ouvéa, and Lifou in turn.
• Banoule Worm Festival (second Sunday of September) – honoring the grubs living in candlenut trees. Some bold souls even swallow them raw. Held in Farino, 120km northwest of Noumea.
• New Caledonia Day (24th) – also known as French Treaty Day, commemorating the agreement between France and the US during the American Revolution.
• Palm Tree Festival (changeable) – notable occasion including music, cuisine and rodeos honoring the local emblem. At Mouidou, approximately 127km northwest of Noumea.
• Goro Cultural Day (time-variable) – celebrating Kanak culture in different villages around Yaté in the southeast of the main island.
• An event known as Carnival of Noumea (throughout September) – parades, dances and fireworks, mainly in the capital.
• Les Francofolies (variable) – three days of merriment, with concerts held at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea.
• South Pacific Golf Championship (changeable) – one of the major occurrences in the Pacific, at Noumea.

New Caledonia Events in October

• The Mwata Festival (late September to early October) – held in Pouébo in the far northern region. Honoring mwata, a traditional dish of cassava and banana.
• Cycling Tour (changeable) – international happening around the main island covering over 1,000km.
• Vanilla Festival (variable) – across the Loyalty Islands (mainly Lifou), honoring the versatile spice. Concerts, dances, tastings and visits to plantations.
• Sound & Light Shows (changeable) – explaining the local and colonial history of Fort Teremba, 127km north of Noumea.

New Caledonia Events in November

• The Day Honoring Saints (1st) – public holiday honoring venerated saints. Many locals visit burial sites of relatives.
• The day commemorating the end of World War 1 (11th) – commemorates the end of WWI.
• Wajuyu Festival (early November) – honoring wajuyu (red snapper), a traditional delicacy, on Maré (Loyalty Islands).
• Noumea Dream Cup (throughout the month) – major windsurfing contest held in various locations around the capital city.
• Goro Sea Festival (variable date) – celebrates all aspects of underwater life, with activities both above and below the sea, such as sampling local seafood. Located in Yaté, approximately 50km northeast of Noumea.
• Touques Regatta (changeable) – races of colorful homemade boats around Anse Vata (Noumea). Lots of fun for the family.
• Beef Festival (subject to change, sometimes taking place over October/November) – an agricultural fair including family-friendly activities, culinary tastings, vintage vehicles on display, and predictably, a rodeo event. Located at Paita, 30km northwest of Noumea.
• Emperor Fish Festival (date varies) – Fishing competitions, seafood markets and other enjoyable activities. In Mouidou, midway along the main island`s west coast.

New Caledonia Events in December

• Noumea Faerie (early December) – fair held for several weeks approaching Christmas in Noumea.

Royal 1 Hotel ($30), located in the heart of the old city, surrounded by activity and excitement. Clean, functional, and lacking memorability.

• Christmas Day (December 25th) – a religious holiday celebrated enthusiastically. Most businesses and restaurants close for several days as this is also a public holiday with very limited public transportation.
• Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) – Christmas festivities continue, and many facilities remain closed, though it is not an official public holiday.
• New Year’s Eve (31st) – Much eating, dancing and singing take place, with fireworks displays in the capital city and major towns.