New Caledonia
Territory · Oceania, Melanesia
New Caledonia is a territory in Melanesia, Oceania, located by sea from Australia. Its capital is Nouméa, and the territory spans 18,576 square kilometers with a population of about 295,000 people.
Highlights
This reference covers 1 sight in New Caledonia. The New Caledonian barrier reef is the primary feature.
Food and drink
A traditional dish is bougna.
When to go
The climate data refers to Nouméa. Temperatures are warmest from January to March, with daily highs around 26 °C to 27 °C, though these months are also the rainiest, seeing 132 mm to 196 mm of rain over about 16 to 17 days. Drier conditions occur from August to October, when rainfall drops to between 42 mm and 78 mm over 8 to 10 days, and temperatures are cooler, with daily highs ranging from 21 °C to 24 °C.
Practical notes
The official language is French, and the currency is the CFP Franc (XPF). The time zone is UTC+11:00. Electrical outlets use plugs C and F, with a voltage of 220 V. Driving is on the right side of the road.
Food and drink to try in New Caledonia
- Bougna
Top sights in New Caledonia
Weather by month
The warmest month is February, with an average high of 27 °C. The wettest is March, with about 196 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 27 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Average low, °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| Rainfall, mm | 132 | 162 | 196 | 116 | 98 | 101 | 73 | 78 | 42 | 53 | 68 | 103 |
| Rainy days | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 15 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Nouméa (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.