THE VOYAGE

The most usual way is by plane, although some people choose to travel by ferry, or  private or hired yacht.

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. A variety of hotels in la Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata are close to restaurants and the renowned Aquarium that's well-worth visiting.

Transport in to the city is by door-to-door shuttle bus or taxi, or car hire.

• Arc en Ciel :  https://www.arcenciel.nc/fr/home

• Go Shuttles : https://goshuttle-nc.com/

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

• For back-packers:
The long-established Youth Hostel (l'Auberge de Jeunesse) in the city centre offers beds quarter to half price of hotels. It has private rooms and Dormitories.
See: https://www.aubergesdejeunesse.nc/noumea

• SEVERAL MID-PRICE RANGE HOTELS IN NOUMEA

• Gondwana Hotel, Quartier Latin, centre ville. Entièrement rénové, près des restaurants et non loin du quai de départ pour le ferry vers l’Ile des Pins. https://www.gondwanahotel.nc

• Marina Beach Residence, Baie des Citrons. https://www.marinabeach.nc/fr/

• Beaurivage Hotel, Baie des Citrons.  https://www.beaurivage.nc/

• Le Lagon Hotel, Anse Vata.  https://lelagon.nc

HOW TO GET TO NEW CALEDONIA

From Europe
From France	Air France	From Paris via Tokyo: three times a week, Onward connections from Japan by Aircalin.
		For more information : https://wwws.airfrance.fr
		Air France/Finnair Attractive prices via Helsinki, then Tokyo. For more information : https://www.finnair.com Turkish Airlines also offers attractive prices from France, via Istanbul and Tokyo. Onward link with Aircalin to Noumea. https://www.turkishairlines.com/
From the U.K.	Qantas	has regular flights from London to Sydney
		For more information : https://www.qantas.com
From Japan
From Tokyo	Air France	links Japan to New Caledonia from Tokyo (see above).
		For more information : https://wwws.airfrance.fr/
From the USA
American West Coast	Air New Zealand	links the American West Coast with the S.W. Pacific For more information : https://www.airnewzealand.com
	Qantas
		For more information : https://www.qantas.com
From Australia
From Sydney	Air Calédonie International	Fly eight times a week to Noumea. 'in pool' (direct flight approx. 3 hours)
	Qantas
From Brisbane	Air Calédonie International	Fly four times a week 'in pool' to Noumea. (Direct flight 2 hours)
	Qantas
From Melbourne	Air Calédonie International	Flies twice a week. (Direct flight approx. 4 hours)
		“Aircalin” information : https://www.aircalin.nc “Qantas” information : https://www.qantas.com
From New Zealand
From Auckland	Air Calédonie International	fly five times a week ‘in pool’ to Noumea. (3 hours direct flight).
	Air New Zealand
		“Aircalin” information : https://www.aircalin.nc “Air New Zealand” information : https://www.airnewzealand.com
From Tahiti
	Air Calédonie International	Aircalin links Tahiti with New Caledonia once a week. “Aircalin” information : https://www.aircalin.nc
From Vanuatu
From Port  Vila	Air Calédonie International	There are three flights a week Port Vila-Noumea, either Air Vanuatu or Aircalin
	Air Vanuatu
		“Aircalin” information : https://www.aircalin.nc “Air Vanuatu” information : https://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
By ATR 72 (70 seats) 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 from Noumea, or 20kg if you buy a category Y ticket : see https://www.air-caledonie.nc for more details.
Prices :
return	from 11.350 cfp depending on the flight time and day.
	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 : https://www.air-caledonie.nc		e-mail : vente@air-caledonie.nc
Town Agency : Pacific Plaza 6, rue Unger, 1er Vallée du Tir 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 7.30 - 12, Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri. Closed on the weekend.? Tickets and reservations are also sold at the Airport one hour before each flight.

The airport information desk Ile des Pins

Helicopter Charters

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

Helicocean: Tel. (687) 25 39 49 - Fax (687) 27 65 17 https://www.helicocean.com

Hélisud : Tél : (687) 28 97 97 / (687) 77 33 43
Internet site : https://www.helisud.nc - Email : helisud@lagoon.nc

For more information consult :

Internet site: New Caledonia Tourism

New Caledonia Tourism (South Province) in Noumea : https://www.sudtourisme.nc/

Email: roxanne.brun@sudtourisme.nc

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

 

Noumea - Isle of Pines by Boat

Fast Cat Ferry :

A rapid catamaran, the Betico, links Noumea with Isle of Pines in two and a half hours.

In Summer and during school holidays it operates return services on Tuesdays and on weekends, Saturdays and Sundays. Outside these holiday times the Betico operates on the weekend, usually staying Saturday overnight on Isle of Pines, returning to Noumea Sunday evening.

Departure from Noumea : 7am ; return journey leaves Isle of Pines at 5pm or 6pm. in the Summer months.

Baggage allowance : 15 kg per person. You can also take your own bike on board for free, providing you deposit it either the day before or at least one hour before departure.

Prices are classed Standard and ZEN.
The ferry costs less than the plane.

See the site - homepage : https://www.betico.nc/

Bookings : Tel. : (687) 26 01 00
E-mail : vente@betico.nc - Online Reservations : https://www.betico.nc

Arrival at the Isle of Pines - Kuto Bay Wharf

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.

• Abaca Cruises : sail with a Hélia 44 Evolution catamaran, to and around Isle of Pines (minimum 4 days). The 13m25 catamaran, from  renown French marine designer Fontaine-Pajot, was launched in June 2015.

Skipper: Yves Ducreux; maximum 6 persons.
Tel. (+687) 78 35 60
E-mail: yves@abaca-croisieres.com
Internet site: https://www.abaca-croisieres.com (in English & French).

• Dream Yacht Nouvelle-Caledonie: an international yacht charter company, with or without skipper.  https://www.dreamyachtcharter.com

Syndicat des Activités Nautiques et Touristiques (SANT) – Nautical & Tourism Activities Office - Tel. (687) 26 42 11 - Email : santnc@yahoo.fr

Cruise Ships :

Once a favorite call for cruise ship visitors, Isle of Pines has not reopened to cruise ships since the start of Covid in March 2020.