New Caledonia

New Caledonia

Oceania
Surfing guide
LAST UPDATED 14/09/2008
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Level of surfing

Advanced

Quality of surf

Very Good

Call code

687

Net code

nc

Area

18575

Coastline

2,254 km

Climate

Tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Hazards

Cyclones

Best Months

May - September

Population

240400

Currency

CFP franc (XPF) XPF) per US dollar - 95.025

Time Zone

(UTC+11)

Special Requirements

Private Beaches

surfing

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Bruno Menetrier: Isle of Pines, New Caledonia; 2007

This is the brave new world of South Pacific surfing, reef passes 20 kilometres offshore – the sound of one wave breaking. The southern reefs of the main island in the group Noumea offer endless variety to the traveller. Corvette and Tenia are the better known spots but dozens are yet to be either named or surfed. The problem you will face here is access. All of the reef passes are miles offshore which makes a boat mandatory.

Yacht charters are not as prolific and well set up as they are in island nations such as the Maldives and hence he cost can be prohibitive. Whether it be for better or worse, this is going to change. Several surf charter companies are considering setting up boating operations here and with a huge swell window of Mar – Sep, someones going to get a lot of waves in the future. Boats do connect from Noumea but the long trip makes a daily surf a bit of a grind. Transfer times limit your in water envelope also – ah well it wouldn’t be fun if everything was just handed over on a plate now would it. With a bit of perseverance it isn’t hard to score waves here.

A lot of people talk about the Pacific having one or two more Teahupoo’s out there waiting to be discovered. Statistically speaking, this country would have to have one of the highest probabilities of someone discovering it here. Question is, what are you going to call it?

what to pack

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Flashdance: A pair of very simple Moroccan flip flops called "Cabjuks"; 25 May 2007

Trainers, loose clothing - everything for the hot weather. Definitely take along some bug repellent spray, good sunscreen and sunglasses! Just in case you still ignore our advice, take a lot of Aloe Vera. Repellent might be useful as well

Better take your medicines with you (esp. anti histamine tablets), as the brands can be unfamiliar and cost more.

Your camera and all the equipment you'd need for it, plus a good waterproof bags that will also prevent your gear from getting sand in.

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