Voyage Nouvelle-Calédonie: 12-day Round Island Adventure
Done one too many self-drive holidays around Australia and New Zealand? Enter New Caledonia. A fraction of the tourist crowds, inexpensive premium hotels and amazing vistas all to yourself – what more could you ask for? This 12-day Round island adventure around New Caledonia can be done in various styles: self-driven, chauffeured or a combination. Speak to us about customizing it to your interests, as the island has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts, beach lovers, divers – and it’s also very family friendly and great for kids!
This journey outline is by no means fixed. As the traveller takes centre stage in our planning – from the type of lodging to daily activities – your journey will be crafted to suit you.
Day by Day Highlights
Days 1-3 Bourail
After picking up your rental car or meeting your chauffeur at Tontouta International Airport, strike out for the West Coast to experience the island’s great outdoors on foot, on wheels, on horseback, from the air or from the water. Bourail has many untouched natural areas like the Deva natural reserve, Poe Beach and Turtle Bay. Explore these parks on foot, by bike or on horseback. If you love being in water, there’s no better place to go out on a glass bottom boat and to snorkel. Spend hours in the pristine waters observing marine wildlife.
Stay in Sheraton Deva Spa and Resort, the remier resort on the West Coast.
Days 4-6 Kone and the Far North
From Kone, take a scenic 1-hour ULM flight over the dreamy coast to sight the amazing lagoon corals, observe turtles, dugongs, and mantarays on the surface of the lagoon. Visit Gatope Beach and the coffee ecom-useum in Voh. Stay in Hibiscus Hotel Kone. On the way to the far North, visit Koumac Cave, the Mines of Tiebaghi and enjoy a lunch and afternoon on Ilot Tiam Bouene, the island with a magical beach that only is at low tide.
At the far North of New Caledonia, drive to the “Boat pass” with views of Belep Islands. Visit the St Denis church, the first Catholic church in New Caledonia. Take a shorthike to the beautiful waterfalls of Cascade de Tao and Cascade Colnett. Stay in the convivial family-owned Beach House Lodge in Poum.
Days 7-9 Indigenous East Coast
Continue your round-island tour of New Caledonia on its East Coast, full of indigenous culture. Visit the cultural centre of Hienghene and hike to the viewpoints over the Sphynx and the Hen, on the “500 francs bill” beach and along the Linderalic Rocks. Stay in Koulnoue Hotel Hienghene. Explore the Tiwae corridor and its waterfall, and the Tibarama Islet for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. From Poindimie, go on a superb diving or snorkeling excursion. Stay in Tieti Hotel Poindimie.
Head towards New Caledonia’s capital, Noumea, in the Island’s south.
Days 9-10 Noumea
On this round-island adventure, you finally reach New Caledonia’s capital Noumea. Spend two days here: visit the lively local market, beach promenade and the many view points around the city for an elevated look at the capital and surrounded by blue sea and green hills. Take a boat trip out to Amedee Island with itsiconic lighthouse and learn about its historical importance in navigation in the Pacific Ocean.
Stay in DoubleTree Hilton’s over-water bungalows if direct access to water is what you are looking for. Chateaux Royale, which has one of the world’s only seven aquatonic pools, or Le Meridien Noumea are excellent choices a stone’s throw from Noumea’s city centre, restaurants and nightlife.
Days 11-12 Isle of Pines or Lifu
End your adventure on one of the offshore islands. A short domestic flight takes you to one of New Caledonia’s outlying islands. Spend two days and a night exploring island life, which can include visits to plantations (vanilla, coconut), water-based activities such as an outrigger tour, diving, snorkeling, boating, and swimming in secret coves.
Stay in the small and stunning Le Meridien on Isle of Pines, or the newly opened Intercontinental Resort on Lifu Island.
Bourail, Kone, Poum, Hienghene, Poindimie, Noumea, Blue River Park, Isle of Pines, Lifu
Recommended months to travel
All year round
Level of difficulty
Easy
Indicative price
From USD4500/pax (based on 2 pax travelling)
This journey outline is by no means conclusive. It is just a guideline and can be tailored according to your comfort level, interests and preferences for every detail from accommodation to activities.
