When to go · New Caledonia
New Caledonia, month by month
The best months for New Caledonia: May, Sep, Oct, Nov.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedHot, humid and cyclone season; residents' holidays fill the islands.Nouméa and the west coast: storm or typhoon risk · East coast and the north: storm or typhoon risk · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedPeak cyclone month; heavy rain possible for days.Nouméa and the west coast: storm or typhoon risk · East coast and the north: storm or typhoon risk · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- MarchMixedStill cyclone season; heat easing late in the month.Nouméa and the west coast: storm or typhoon risk · East coast and the north: storm or typhoon risk · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- AprilGoodPleasant and quieter; Easter long weekend; cyclone risk fades.Nouméa and the west coast: fine · East coast and the north: rainy · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: fineCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatWarm days, cooler nights; good for hiking and islands.Nouméa and the west coast: best weather · East coast and the north: fine · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: best weatherCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneGoodCool season begins; strong trade winds suit kitesurfing.Nouméa and the west coast: cool · East coast and the north: fine · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyGoodAustralian and NZ school holidays and Bastille Day; humpback whales arrive in the south lagoon.Nouméa and the west coast: cool · East coast and the north: fine · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: fineCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGoodWhale-watching season at Prony Bay; Bourail Fair; cool evenings.Nouméa and the west coast: cool · East coast and the north: fine · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberGreatDry and warming; one of the best months for the lagoon and islands; whales until mid-September.Nouméa and the west coast: best weather · East coast and the north: best weather · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGreatWarm, dry and calm: the pick of the year.Nouméa and the west coast: best weather · East coast and the north: best weather · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGreatWarm and still mostly dry; flame trees bloom in Nouméa.Nouméa and the west coast: best weather · East coast and the north: best weather · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberMixedSummer holidays start mid-month; hot, and the cyclone season opens.Nouméa and the west coast: hot · East coast and the north: rainy · Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines: hotCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nouméa and the west coastNouméa, Bourail, La Foa, Koné | Storm | Storm | Storm | OK | Best | Cool | Cool | Cool | Best | Best | Best | Hot |
| East coast and the northHienghène, Poindimié, Thio | Storm | Storm | Storm | Wet | OK | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Wet |
| Loyalty Islands and Isle of PinesLifou, Maré, Ouvéa, Isle of Pines | Storm | Storm | Storm | OK | Best | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best | Best | Hot |