New Caledonia Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Most nationalities will not need a visa to enter New Caledonia.

To enter New Caledonia you may need:

• A passport valid for at least six months after exit from New Caledonia
• A return or onward ticket from New Caledonia
• Proof financial resources and travel insurance
• Documentation supporting the purpose of your stay, like accommodation or tour booking.

There are two distinct seasons in New Caledonia: a hot and rainy season from December to March and a cold and dry season from June to September, which makes up the island country's tropical climate. During the hot season, temperatures average around 30/32°C but can climb as high as 35°C with the humidity also making it uncomfortable to spend long periods of time outside. You can also expect heavy rainfall during this time, although it doesn't tend to last for too long unless there's a tropical storm. The cold season sees temperatures average at around 20°C while remaining relatively dry. 

What to pack for New Caledonia largely depends on what time of the year you travel in, but because it's a tropical destination, packing plenty of t-shirts, dresses, short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and skirts is a safe bet.

Make sure to pack clothes that are made from light, breathable clothing because it can get warm and humid in New Caledonia during the summer.

You should also pack appropriate sun protection such as hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen if you plan on spending a considerable amount of time in the sun. Don't forget to pack your swimsuit! 

It's relatively easy to get to New Caledonia as there are several options available including catching a plane or arriving via boat. Flying to New Caledonia is the easiest and most time-efficient way to travel, especially if you're flying from Australia's east coast with plenty of direct flights arriving into and departing daily from La Tontouta Airport in Noumea. 

New Caledonian cuisine is heavy on both seafood and flavor, so you can expect traditional dishes to be tasty and packed with local produce. With a combination of both Melanesian and French influences, you're guaranteed to want seconds of everything you eat. Here are some of our favorite dishes: 

• Bougna (a stew-like dish made of chicken, lobster or fish and served with root vegetables). 
• Plenty of seafood, including coconut crab, New Caledonian blue prawns, and oysters
• Venison
• Civet de Rousette (bat stew) 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travelers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance