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: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
		From Noumea: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday
		For more information : Air France
From the U.K.	Qantas	has regular flights from London to Sydney
		For more information : Qantas Airways Limited
From Japan
From Tokyo	Air France	links Japan to New Caledonia from Tokyo (see above).
		For more information : Air France
From Osaka	Air Calédonie International	Aircalin has recently set up a line between Osaka and Noumea, twice a week, arriving on Monday and Saturday
		“Aircalin” information : Air Caledonie International
From the USA
American West Coast	Air New Zealand	links the American West Coast with the S.W. Pacific For more information : Air New Zealand
	Qantas
		For more information : Qantas Airways Limited
From Australia
From Sydney	Air Calédonie International	(in pool) fly every day of the week to Noumea.
	Qantas
From Brisbane	Air Calédonie International	fly three times a week 'in pool' to Noumea: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday
	Qantas
		“Aircalin” information : Air Caledonie International “Qantas” information : Qantas Airways Limited
From New Zealand
From Auckland	Air Calédonie International	fly four times a week ‘in pool’ to Noumea: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
	Air New Zealand
		“Aircalin” information : Air Caledonie International “Air New Zealand” information : Air New Zealand
From Tahiti
	Air Calédonie International	Aircalin links Tahiti with New Caledonia twice a week - once directly and once via Wallis Island. “Aircalin” information : Air Caledonie International
From Vanuatu
From Vila	Air Calédonie International	There a 4 flights a week Vila-Noumea, either Air Vanuatu or Aircalin : Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday
	Air Vanuatu
		“Aircalin” information : Air Caledonie International “Air Vanuatu” information : Air Vanuatu

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 Nouma	morning	departure from Noumea is usually between 8 and 9am
	afternoon	it is 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 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 10kg with a ticket issued in Noumea, or 20kg with an international ticket containing an extension to Isle of Pines.
Prices :
return	11 228 cfp – 13 780 cfp depending on flight Plus 1 400 cfp tax
	Children under 12 – half-price plus 1 400 cfp tax Baby under 2 years : 10% of adult price plus 700 cfp tax
a return trip during the same day costs	16 185 cfp tax incl.
--> 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 :
www.air-caledonie.nc		e-mail : commercial@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, Kuto Agency Tél. : (687) 44 88 50		Open 7.30am-11am / 2pm-5pm. Closed Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday.

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: e-mail: tourisme@offratel.nc

The Noumean Tourist Office: e-mail: 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

Sea Charters : for groups of 2 to 10 persons

About ten charter and boat hire companies offer Isle of Pines as a destination.

These include one catamaran specialising in Isle of Pines:
Ile des Pins Croisiere (Isle of Pines Charter) • Francois Laforet
Phone : (687) 82 78 79 - Fax : (687) 28 90 28
For more information : Visit our Internet site: idpcroisiere

The boats and conditions vary - with or without skipper, with or without meals supplied.

Check in the New Caledonian phone directory.

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 pocruises.com.au

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

A cruise ship call for a day, on average once 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.