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Nouméa
Capital and largest city of New Caledonia

Nouméa

Nouméa is the capital and largest city of the French special collectivity of New Caledonia.

Plan a trip to Nouméa→From Port Vila

It is the largest Francophone city in Oceania. It is situated on a peninsula in the south of New Caledonia's main island, Grande Terre, and is home to the majority of the island's European, Polynesian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese populations, as well as many Melanesians, Ni-Vanuatu and indigenous Kanaks who work in one of the South Pacific's most industrialised cities. The city lies on a protected deepwater harbour that serves as the chief port for New Caledonia.

Get in

Getting to Nouméa

  1. 01
    La Tontouta International Airport

    New Caledonia's only international airport and the primary point of entry into Noumea.

  2. 02
    Noumea Magenta Airport
See

Worth seeing

Most of the tourist attractions in Noumea are closed on Mondays and open all other days, with the exception of Museum of New Caledonia, which is closed on Tuesdays. Each venue has its own entry costs, but in 2014 for 1700 F a "Pass' Nature and Culture" could still be purchased that provided admittance to the Tjibaou, New Caledonia, Noumea and Maritime History Museums, Zoo and Aquarium that could be used over 6…

  1. 01
    Museum of New Caledonia
  2. 02
    City of Nouméa Museum
  3. 03
    Tjibaou Cultural Centre
  4. 04
    Parc Zoologique et Forestier
Do

Things to do

New Caledonia is home of one of the largest lagoons in the world. So naturally water sports are very popular. Wind surfing Anse Vata during the afternoons is very popular with Kite and Wind Surfers. There are a few hire companies on the beach that are very friendly and have a wide range of equipment. Snorkeling it is highly suggested to snorkel while in Noumea.

Eat

Where to eat

Waterfront Market, Rue Georges Clemenceau. Open every morning, providing a good option for budget breakfasts. Croissants and Pain au Chocolat (180 F) and multitude of fresh fruit are available from various merchants. La Buvette du Marché, located inside the building adjacent to the main fruit market, prepares a variety of food including Croque Monsieur (toasted ham and cheese sandwich) and coffee.

Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.