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
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
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.