THE VOYAGE

The most usual way is by plane, although some people choose to travel by ferry, 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. 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: http://www.lanavette.nc

Les Mouettes : https://navette-lesmouettes.nc

Philo Tours: https://philotours.webnode.fr

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: www.aubergesdejeunesse.nc/fr

• SEVERAL MID-PRICE RANGE HOTELS IN NOUMEA

Gondwana Hotel, Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter), Town Central. Newly renovated, close to restaurants and not far from the ferry terminal. https://www.gondwanahotel.nc

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

Beaurivage Hotel, Baie des Citrons.
https://grands-hotels.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: five times a week, via Osaka: twice a week, Onward connections from Japan by Aircalin.
		For more information : www.airfrance.fr
		Air France/Finnair Attractive prices via Helsinki, then 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 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	fly every day to Noumea. 'in pool' (direct flight approx. 3 hours)
	Qantas
From Brisbane	Air Calédonie International	fly five times a week 'in pool' to Noumea. (Direct flight 2 hours)
	Qantas
From Melbourne	Air Calédonie International	fly three times a week 'in pool'
	Qantas
		“Aircalin” information : www.aircalin.nc “Qantas” information : www.qantas.com
From New Zealand
From Auckland	Air Calédonie International	fly six times a week ‘in pool’ to Noumea. (3 hours direct flight).
	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 four 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
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 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 : 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 8-11.30am / 1-4.30pm Mon. to 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 : www.helisud.nc - Email : helisud@lagoon.nc

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 Ferry :

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

It operates return services on Thursdays and on weekends, where it usually stays overnight Saturday, returning to Noumea Sunday evening. There’s an occasional round-trip on a Sunday.

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

Baggage allowance : 20kg 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 economy, comfort or VIP.
On average, the trip costs half the price of an air ticket.

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

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

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, the main companies being:

P&O Cruises www.procruises.com.au

Royal Caribbean International www.royalcaribbean.com

Holland America Line www.hollandamericacruises.com

A cruise ship call for a day, on average four to six times 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