Ah, the islands of the South Pacific. Fiji. Bali. The Solomons. New Caledonia…
…New Caledonia?
If you had to do a quick Google Maps search for it, you’re not alone.
Despite its relative obscurity, this island is one of the gems of the Coral Sea. That means most of the amenities of other South Pacific destinations – without the crowds to match.
With its rather isolated location, flights to New Caledonia can verge on the pricey side. But, remember, you can compare your options and find the best-value routes and airlines by using the clever flight search engine on Cheapflights.co.nz.
Still not convinced? Here are 11 reasons this past backwater deserves to be on your travel to-do list.
1. The beaches
The beaches! Being an island nation, beaches are everywhere. From deserted Robinson Crusoe style beaches with white sands and azure blue waters to the busier beaches of the capital, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
2. “All water, all the time”
Okay, it’s not really surprising that a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean might go big on water activities. If you’re a water baby, you will simply love all water-based sports that are on offer in New Caledonia. Try your hand at surfing, sea kayaking, sailboarding, scuba diving or snorkelling.
3. You can swim in one of the world’s largest natural swimming pools
Because Oro Bay alone is good enough reason to visit New Caledonia. The waters at Oro Bay are regularly featured on lists of places with the clearest and cleanest water in the world, plus the lagoon is surrounded by lush tropical rain forests amid a dramatic volcanic landscape.
4. Because Noumea
Cosmopolitan, happy, fun-loving and multi-ethnic Noumea is the vibrant capital of New Caledonia. French influence can be seen everywhere here. You can get freshly baked croissants from terrace cafes while exploring vibrant and colourful bazaars of the Latino Quarter and Chinatown. Beyond that, Le Petit Train, a kitchy but fun sightseeing rail line will take you through all the major sites for less than the price of your breakfast.
5. Some great shopping
The French influence of this former colony puts Paris-and-Singapore level shopping at your fingertips in the capital. You’ll find the latest goods from world-class designers in colonial-style buildings, nestled next to colourful Latin and Chinatown shops, plus plenty of budget-friendly bargain shops.
6. It’s a one-of-a-kind food experience
There aren’t many other places where you can start your day with tropical fruit and a croissant, before snacking through the morning on street and market offerings from satay to local traditional seafood dishes. At night, take your pick from munching on dishes at an outdoor fish fry, dancing with drinks and tapas in a hip club, or sitting for a white-linen French dinner. The combination of island eating with French cuisine creates a food landscape quite like nothing you can experience anywhere else.
7. The lookout walk
Ouen Toro lookout gives unobstructed, 360-degree views of the entire island, plus Anse Vata and the glimmering Baie des Citrons lagoon. A variety of walking trails offer everything from rock climbing to a gentle afternoon stroll. Other hiking takes you through city parks, or into protected wilderness areas for bird and wildlife spotting.
8. You can swim with turtles
New Caledonia is one of the best places in the world to swim with wild turtles, having four out of seven sea turtle species. You can swim alongside turtles almost everywhere and their friendliness towards humans is so great that most often when they hear the sound of a boat, they come to the surface to greet eager travellers.
9. Strikingly safe
New Caledonia has a very low crime rate despite the robust night club scene in Noumea. It’s a small island with small town safety and a highly stable government. The atmosphere is also very tolerant, making this a safe choice for LGBTQ travellers who want to experience the region.
10. Amazing architecture
Much like the cuisine on the island, New Caledonia’s mixed heritage creates a unique and interesting architectural landscape. Traditional native building sit next to avant-garde experiments and neighbourhoods of both European and Chinese colonial buildings. Some highlights include the cottages on Vallee de Colons and mansions of Faubourg Blanchot, along with the amazing T’jiabou Cultural Centre.
11. New Caledonia’s lagoons are so Instagrammable
Yes, there are tons of beaches to choose from, but New Caledonia is also known for its natural lagoons with strikingly clear water and colourful marine wildlife. You can choose from fresh water lagoons nestled deep in the jungle, to naturally formed coral reef lagoons where you can snorkel or scuba dive.
Have we managed to convince you that New Caledonia should be on your radar? Then you can start your journey with booking your flight tickets and hotels with Cheapflights.co.nz.
