Our bucket record simply received longer.
Ranging from 1 July 2022, Aircalin might be flying direct between New Caledonia’s Noumea and Singapore twice every week (each Friday and Sunday), and takes about eight and a half hours.
Enjoyable reality: The plane is the primary Airbus A330neo for use in Southeast Asia for continuous flights!
However, the place is New Caledonia?
New Caledonia is a French territory made up of a number of islands within the South Pacific. It’s in shut proximity to nations corresponding to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Vanuatu.
The primary island, often known as Grand Terre, is split into 4 areas:
– Noumea (the capital)
– the West Coast (huge areas for cattle farming)
– the East Coast (loads of wildlife)
– Nice South (cultural and heritage websites)
With a inhabitants of about 270,000 inhabitants, New Caledonia is made up of assorted ethnic teams such because the Kanak, French, Javanese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Whereas most individuals right here communicate French, they communicate English too!
By no means heard of New Caledonia? Me too 🙈
However because of work perks, I’ve been fortunate to be on the primary few flights there.
Flights aren’t the most cost effective however after having been there, I can inform you, it’s value each penny 😉
Enterprise class on Aircalin 😎
Not satisfied? Right here’s a glimpse of what you may expertise in New Caledonia!
1) Island-hop over to five Completely different Islands
Photograph credit score: New Caledonia by way of Fb
The primary island is surrounded by 5 smaller islands: the Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands — that are Lifou, Ouvea, Tiga, and Mare. All lower than an hour’s flight from Noumea.
Lifou is the biggest of the islands with stunning seashores corresponding to Tamanou seashore and Luengoni seashore.
The Isle of Pines had pine bushes lined up alongside the highway and lots of scenic bays by the coast which was an actual deal with, so in case you solely have time for one island, I’d extremely suggest this!
Photograph credit score: New Caledonia by way of Fb
We even took a 1.5-hour outrigger boat tour alongside Upi Bay, and whereas I wasn’t fortunate sufficient to identify turtles, the waters have been beautiful!
Every island has its personal distinctive function — from the Blue Gap of Hanawa on Ouvea to Warrior’s Leap on Mare.
2) The World’s Largest Lagoon
Yep, New Caledonia is house to the world’s largest lagoon — 24,000km2 to be actual.
There are loads of snorkelling spots across the nation, one being Oro Bay’s Pure Swimming Pool on the Isle of Pines.
It’s a 15-minute stroll from Le Meridien Ile des Pins resort and though I’m not a terrific swimmer, I might nonetheless see multi-coloured fishes from close to the sand mattress 🐠.
Photograph credit score: @amebeverly
Whilst you’re exploring the gorgeous marine life, watch out to not step on the corals or disrupt the animals. We must always nonetheless do our greatest to guard the ecosystem of this pure aquarium in spite of everything.
*Professional-tip: For hotter waters, snorkel between October to April.
Le Meridien Ile des Pins
Tackle: Baie D’Oro Bp 175 Ile Des Pins, 98832, New Caledonia
3) Discover a Large Pure “Playground”
Domaine de Deva is a non-public property consisting of a giant protected pure space within the South Province.
With 18,500 acres of land, it encompasses the largest dry forest within the province — house to numerous fauna and flora species that thrive in a dry local weather.
To not point out, the property additionally consists of the seagrass beds alongside Poe seashore and a part of the West Coastal Space such because the reefs of Gouaro-Deva.
Photograph credit score: Domaine de Deva
Discover the world on a horseback journey, a motorbike or simply hike and take within the panorama views of the lagoon and rocky hills. Drop by the ornithological observatory for birdwatching too!
Enjoyable reality: There are greater than 38 chook species discovered right here like cormorants and egrets!
Apart from that, deal with an 18-hole golf course at Unique Golf Deva or keep at a snug personal bungalow on the five-star Sheraton Golf and Spa Resort!
Tackle: 1 lot Gouara Déva, Route de Poé, 98870 Bourail, New Caledonia
4) The Nice Barrier Reef
Photograph credit score: Ouest Corail
New Caledonia has the second longest barrier reef on this planet — solely subsequent to Australia’s Nice Barrier Reef!
Spanning 1,600km, there are 350 species of coral and 1,600 species of fishes present in these waters.
Photograph credit score: Ouest Corail
Except for snorkelling, it’s also possible to expertise this on a 1.5-hour glass backside boat tour.
The tour units off from Poe seashore and on the 1km mark, there’s a turtle feeding space to satisfy the reef’s locals and take some memorable photos 🐢
Value: 3,400XPF/grownup (~S$419)
Tour timing: Varies
Assembly level: 99QQ+JCW, Poe Seashore, New Caledonia
5) Heli Trip Over a Pure Coronary heart-shaped Landmark
Photograph credit score: New Caledonia Tourism
“Are you able to see my coronary heart?” 💖
If you happen to watched the 2009 Okay-drama Boys Over Flowers, you may bear in mind this tacky however iconic line from Gu Jun-pyo (Lee Min-ho) to Geum Jan-di (Ku Hye-sun) whereas flying over a heart-shaped landmark on a helicopter.
That shot was taken in New Caledonia and is a pure formation known as the Coronary heart of Voh. The four-hectare clearing is surrounded by mangroves and is located near Voh village within the North-west of New Caledonia.
Photograph credit score: Cap Ulm Poe Kone
Absorb a 360° panoramic view by way of a scenic flight, the place you’ll additionally go by mountain ranges, seashores, and naturally the blue lagoon!
*Notice: Make reservations a minimum of 48 hours prematurely.
Value: From 13,000XFP/grownup (~S$161) for a 30-min flight
Assembly level: Varies
6) Get to Know the Locals
Whereas within the nation, additionally spend a while attending to know the locals and their tradition.
On a go to to the native tribe of Pothe — a neighborhood Kanak tribe within the central mountain chain of Bourail — we have been warmly greeted with songs and a standard dinner.
It was my first time attempting a bougna, a neighborhood dish normally wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground for 2 hours. The substances have been a mixture of yam, taro, candy potato, banana, and hen. I do know, banana and hen feels like an odd mixture but it surely tasted scrumptious, similar to a heat hen stew 😋.
*Notice: You’ll want a information to go to native tribes so do contact the Bourail Tourism workplace earlier than going.
7) The Solely Aquarium within the Nation
What’s particular about New Caledonia’s aquarium is that it solely homes marine animals native to the nation, so nothing is imported!
Situated at Anse Vata bay in Nouméa, the Lagoons Aquarium is house to numerous corals, fishes, crustaceans, and marine mammals.
A nautilus simply chilling.
There are 43 reveals in whole, together with a fluorescent tank with “glowing” corals, and the nautilus — a sort of mollusk solely present in deep ocean reefs.
Enjoyable reality: New Caledonia is the primary aquarium on this planet to show a dwelling nautilus.
The aquarium additionally features a well being care centre and goals to protect the marine setting and wealthy ecosystem of New Caledonia.
I visited a turtle pool and was fortunate sufficient to witness the primary swim of a just lately rescued Hawksbill turtle — which might be launched as soon as it has recovered.
Entrance payment: 1,600XPF/grownup (~S$20)
Opening hours: 10AM – 5PM, closed on Mon
Tackle: 61, BP 8185 Promenade Roger Laroque, Nouméa 98807, New Caledonia
8) Humpback Whales From Antarctica
Photograph credit score: Seaside Marine Providers
If you happen to’re travelling to New Caledonia between mid-July to mid-September, you’ll want to pay a go to to its whales!
That is the interval when humpback whales journey from Antarctica to flee the chilly waters and discover a protected place to relaxation and provides start.
Photograph credit score: Seaside Marine Providers
Board a crusing catamaran from Noumea or Prony Bay and maintain your eyes peeled for these mild giants which could leap out with warning — mere metres away from the boat 🐳.
Value: From AU$160/grownup (~S$153)
Tour timing: Varies
Assembly level: Varies
9) Native Themed Markets
Within the coronary heart of Noumea lies Place des Cocotiers or Coconut Tree Sq.. It’s well-known for holding festivities all yr lengthy, together with concert events and conventional markets held each two months.
These markets are normally of various themes and are solely there for a day — examine the schedule on the tourism web site.
After I visited, the theme was Jeudi du Centre Ville whereby indigenous individuals dwelling within the North of New Caledonia got here all the way down to the capital metropolis to show their conventional clothes and native produce.
My best purchase was this 1,000XPF (~S$12) bag sewn by combining two pairs of shorts 😍!
*Professional-tip: Carry money as some cubicles don’t settle for playing cards.
Opening hours: Varies
Tackle: PCHR+JM7, Nouméa Nouvelle-Calédonieme. P Être, Nouméa, New Caledonia
Pre-trip Necessities for Travelling to New Caledonia
I didn’t know what to anticipate after I travelled to New Caledonia. However after assembly the pleasant locals and soaking within the beautiful views, I can say that it’s most likely one in all my favorite locations!
If you happen to’re planning to expertise New Caledonia for your self, right here’s what you’ll want earlier than departure/upon arrival:
– Full a sworn assertion
– Obtain your digital vaccination certificates
– Buy journey insurance coverage with Covid Protection (not necessary however beneficial)
– Take a self-swab or supervised ART take a look at two days after arrival (supervised checks might be taken in native pharmacies free of charge)
For extra data, do take a look at the official New Caledonia Tourism web site.
Another questions on travelling to New Caledonia? Ask us within the feedback beneath!
