THE VOYAGE

The most usual way is by plane, although some people choose to travel by yacht or cruise ship.

Prior to departure

The country’s only international airport, Tontouta, is situated about 50 kilometres from Noumea. If your prime destination is Isle of Pines, you need to allow enough time for arrival formalities and at least an hour’s drive into the capital, to change to the domestic airport, Magenta, or you may decide to stay overnight in Noumea.

Isle of Pines caters for all budgets, ranging from camping to luxury hotels.
Check out our accommodation section for more details.

TIPS FOR REDUCING COSTS IN NOUMEA

• Public buses run regularly between Tontouta International Airport and Noumea (a distance of about 50 Km). A one-way fare costs 400 cfp. The bus-stop at Tontouta is at the west end of the terminal ; in Noumea it's beside the Bingo.
E-mail: office-tourisme@canl.nc

• Beds for back-packers: the Lantana Beach Hotel, Anse Vata, now has 6 rooms with 3 or 4 beds each.
E-mail: lantana@canl.nc

HOW TO GET TO NEW CALEDONIA

From Europe
From France	Air France	From Paris via Tokyo: four times a week, via Osaka: twice a week, via Seoul: twice a week. Onward connections from Japan and Korea by Aircalin.
		For more information : www.airfrance.fr
		Air France/Finnair Attractive prices via Helsinki, then Seoul, Tokyo or Osaka. For more information : www.finnair
From the U.K.	Qantas	has regular flights from London to Sydney
		For more information : www.qantas.com
From Reunion Island Air Austral Flights linking Reunion with New Caledonia are planned from April 2009. For more information : www.air-austral.com
From Japan
From Tokyo	Air France	links Japan to New Caledonia from Tokyo (see above).
		For more information : www.airfrance.com
From Osaka	Air Calédonie International	Aircalin flies twice a week between Osaka and Noumea.
		“Aircalin” information : www.aircalin.nc Connections also possible with KLM flights to and from Amsterdam.
From the USA
American West Coast	Air New Zealand	links the American West Coast with the S.W. Pacific For more information : www.airnz.com
	Qantas
		For more information : www.qantas.com
From Australia
From Sydney	Air Calédonie International	(in pool) fly every day to Noumea.
	Qantas
From Brisbane	Air Calédonie International	fly three times a week 'in pool' to Noumea.
	Qantas
		“Aircalin” information : www.aircalin.nc “Qantas” information : www.qantas.com
From New Zealand
From Auckland	Air Calédonie International	fly four times a week ‘in pool’ to Noumea.
	Air New Zealand
		“Aircalin” information : www.aircalin.nc “Air New Zealand” information : www.airnz.com
From Tahiti
	Air Calédonie International	Aircalin links Tahiti with New Caledonia twice a week - once directly and once via Wallis Island. “Aircalin” information : www.aircalin.nc
From Vanuatu
From Vila	Air Calédonie International	There a two flights a week Vila-Noumea, either Air Vanuatu or Aircalin
	Air Vanuatu
		“Aircalin” information : www.aircalin.nc “Air Vanuatu” information : www.airvanuatu.com

HOW TO GET TO ISLE OF PINES : from Noumea

By plane from Magenta Airport The domestic airline, Air Caledonie, offers a minimum of 2 return flights a day, every day, morning and afternoon.
From Noumea	morning	departure from Noumea is usually between 8 and 9am
	afternoon	it is usually between 4 and 5 pm.
From Isle of Pines	morning	return flights from Isle of Pines are generally between 9 and 10am
	afternoon	around 5pm
The flight
in either a 46-seater ATR 42 or a 64-seater ATR 72 or a 19-seater Dornier, takes 20 to 25 minutes. You fly along the south coast of the Mainland, past Turtle Island or Ile Ouen, then across the ribbon of reefs leading to Isle of Pines.
Baggage
allowance is 12 kg with a ticket issued in Noumea, or 20kg with an international ticket containing an extension to Isle of Pines.
Prices :
return	15 780 cfp – 16 830 cfp (incl. tax) depending on flight
	Children under 12 – half-price Baby under two years old : 10% adult fare.
--> Organised day trip :
return flight plus an island tour by minibus plus lunch : prices range from 19,000 cfp to 25,000 cfp, according to the travel agency.
Air Caledonie Bookings :
Website : www.air-caledonie.nc		e-mail : vente@air-caledonie.nc
Town Agency : Manhattan Bldg, 39, rue Verdun, Noumea, Tel. : (687) 28 78 88		Open Monday - Friday from 7.30am-5pm, Saturday 7.30am-11am.
Ticket Office, Magenta Airport Tel. : (687) 25 03 81		for a last minute ticket - Open Monday -Saturday 5am-7pm, Sunday 7am-12noon.
Isle of Pines, Vao Agency Tél. : (687) 44 88 50		Open 8-11.30am / 2-4pm:Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri. 8-11am /2-4pm Wed. 8-11.30 am Saturday.

The airport information desk Ile des Pins

Helicopter Charters

Two small aviation companies operate helicopter charter flights to Isle of Pines :

Helitourisme : Tel. (687) 26 96 62 - Fax (687) 77 33 43

Helicocean: Tel. (687) 25 39 49 - Fax (687) 27 65 17

For more information consult :

Internet site: New Caledonia Tourism

New Caledonia Tourism in Noumea:email : tourisme@offratel.nc

The Noumean Tourist Office: email : office-tourisme@canl.nc

 

Noumea - Isle of Pines by Boat

Fast Cat :

A rapid catamaran, the Betico, links Noumea with Isle of Pines in 2hours 15minutes.

It operates return services most Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays.

Departure from Noumea : 7am ; return journey leaves Isle of Pines at 5pm.

Baggage allowance : 20kg per person.

Prices are classed economy, comfort or VIP.
On average, the trip costs half the price of an air ticket.

Bookings : Tel. : (687) 26 01 00 - Fax : (687) 26 98 97
E-mail : vente@betico.nc

Arrival at the Isle of Pines - Bay Wharf Kuto

Sea Charters : for groups of 4 to 10 persons

Several charter and boat hire companies offer Isle of Pines as a destination.
The boats and conditions vary - with or without skipper, with or without meals supplied.

• Nirvana Charter : 15m. catamaran with skipper, Gilles Gayot ; maximum 10 persons.
Tel. (+687) 77 42 40
Email : cata.nirvana@hotmail.com - Internet site : www.nirvana-yacht-charter.com

• Noumea Yacht Charter : yachts (single-hulled and catamarans), motor boats, with or without skipper. Tel./Fax : (+687) 28 66 66
Email : n.y.c@canl.nc - Internet site : www.nyc.nc

• Touaou Croisières/Cruises : 15m. catamaran with skipper, Yves Ducreux ; maximum 6 persons. Tel. (+687) 78 35 60 or (+687) 79 98 82
Email : touaou@ifrance.com - Internet site : http://touaou.ifrance.com

Cruise Ships :

Isle of Pines is included in the itinerary of some large cruise ships that operate between Australia and the islands in the south-western Pacific, e.g. :

The Pacific Sun --> Consult Internet site : www.procruises.com.au

Reservations : e-mail : cruise.reservation@pocruises.com.au

A cruise ship call for a day, on average twice a month, always creates a certain lively atmosphere on shore, with the bougna being available for the passengers to taste and folk-dances presented for the pleasure of all visitors.

Welcome to cruises