New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a colony of France lying in the western Pacific Ocean, in the Coral Sea, to the east of Australia and west of Vanuatu. The territory consists of the main island of Grand Terre and the archipelago of the Loyalty Islands (Iles Loyauté), and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls.

New Caledonia offers beaches, mountaintop fondue in chalets, camping, amazing snorkelling and diving, and fabulous French food.

An Introduction to the regions of New Caledonia

Grande Terre The main island. It is one of the largest islands in the Pacific. The barrier reef lying off New Caledonia is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in size.

Loyalty Islands Three large populated islands, including Îles Loyauté, just east of Grande Terre.

Île des Pins Was one of the few places in the Pacific with trees tall and sturdy enough to provide replacement masts for ships.

Belep Archipelago The islets and reefs to the north of Grande Terre, with a small community living on Belep Isle.

Chesterfield Islands Uninhabited and incredibly remote and the Chesterfield Islands are an expedition.

Other Muslim Friendly Cities in New Caledonia

• Nouméa — the capital, and the only city of any size.
• Bourail — a farming town.

New Caledonia Halal Explorer

New Caledonia is a collectivité d'outre-mer of France with a special status which allows it to have its own laws and its own government in anticipation of becoming completely independent. New Caledonia sets its own rules for everything except for national defence and foreign policy, which are set by the French government.

The people of New Caledonia are split into 5 major groups:

• The Kanaks, Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia. They were here long before the European settlers and colonists arrived and many of them still live outside of Noumea in tribes. The traditional authority of the tribes' chiefs is legal and recognized by French law.
• The Caldoches, descendants of European and North African prisoners and settlers, include some families that have lived in New Caledonia for more than 100 years.
• People from metropolitan France and other French overseas territories, locally called "zoreils". They are mostly newcomers and are here only to work in Noumea for a few years.
• Asians, descendants of those who came to work in the nickel mines of New Caledonia about a century ago. Most are Vietnamese, Chinese, or (Indonesian).
• Polynesians, people from French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna, are mostly living in Noumea for work. As French citizens they can move freely between New Caledonia and the other two French territories.

Since the events of Ouvéa cave hostage-taking in 1988 and there has been a political movement towards more autonomy in New Caledonia; New Caledonia is listed on the UN list of non-self governing territories. A referendum in November 2018 found a majority opposed to independence.

History of New Caledonia

Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century and the island became a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864.

The islands have been an overseas territory of France since 1956.

The 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands formally under French law. Agitation for independence, which occurred during the 1980s and early 1990s, seems to have dissipated. A referendum on independence was held in 2023, in accordance with the Noumea Accord, with the majority of voters opposing independence, though there is a possibility of another referendum in 2020.

In New Caledonia, as elsewhere in France and the national holiday is Bastille Day (14 July).

How is the Climate in New Caledonia

New Caledonia has a semi-tropical climate, modified by southeast trade winds. It is often hot and humid in January and February. The islands are subject to tropical cyclones, most frequent from November to March. During winter (April to August) the daytime temperature is around 22 degrees. The water may still be warm, but it often feels too cool to really want to go swimming.

What is the Geography of New Caledonia

The main island of New Caledonia is one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean and its terrain consist of coastal plains with interior mountains. The highest point is Mont Panie (1,628m).

Grand Terre is rich in minerals, and is an important source of many ores, mainly nickel and chromium. There is a mountainous interior green with subtropical foliage. The outlying islands are coral-based, have stunning white sand and sport palm trees.

Travel to New Caledonia

A number of items are restricted by customs and biosecurity regulations. Consult the official flyer (in French) for more information.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from New Caledonia

• Noumea-La Tontouta Airport (IATA Flight Code: NOU), in Païta, 52km northwest of the capital city of Noumea +687 35 11 18.Air France provides code-share Flights from Paris via Tokyo, Osaka, or Seoul. Regular flights are available from Tokyo and Osaka on Aircalin, as New Caledonia is very popular with the (Japanese). Air New Zealand and [Qantas also serve the airport. There are also Flights from various Pacific nations, New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia. However and there aren't many flights overall, so beware of availability.
• Noumea-Magenta Airport (IATA Flight Code: GEA) , 4km from the downtown, +687 25 14 00. Serves all domestic flights within New Caledonia, such as the Loyalty Islands (Maré, Tiga, Lifou, Ouvéa), from Isle of Pines in the south to Belep Islands in the northern tip of the mainland as well as Koné and Koumac on the west coast and Touho on the east coast.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in New Caledonia

Noumea is a popular port of call for people sailing around the Pacific, though most dare not sail during cyclone season.

How to get around in New Caledonia

Forget about Google Maps, it is grossly incomplete in New Caledonia and often wrong. OpenStreetMap is a much better option.

Quartier gouaro - |Provincial route 20

By bus or taxi

There are two main bus services in New Caledonia:

• CarSud is the regional bus service in Province Sud. Ligne C will take you from the La Tontouta airport to Noumea downtown for XPF400 (as of June 2023).
• Karuiabus is the city bus service in Noumea. Ligne 10/11 will take you from the downtown to Baie des citrons and Anse Vata for XPF210 (as of June 2023).

A taxi from downtown to your hotel will cost roughly XPF850 each way, compared to XPF210 each way by bus. Taxis do not cruise the streets to pick up passengers as in other cities; they have to be ordered by phone 28 35 12). This makes the bus a good alternative as the total journey time is not much longer than by taxi.

If you are staying in a hotel or other accommodation you can just ask them to call you a taxi. The same applies if you are shopping in Noumea – if you have just purchased something, even groceries in a small store and they will be happy to call you a taxi.

By car

Renting your own vehicle is a reasonable option for a larger group and the only sensible option if you plan on exploring anywhere off the beaten track. The usual suspects have offices at Tontouta airport, as does local chain Point Rouge]. Most cars are manual, so book ahead if you want an automatic.

New Caledonia follows French traffic laws, so driving is on the right. Around Noumea, roads are generally good quality if narrow, and there is a free expressway covering most of the way from Tontouta Airport to Mont-Dore south of Noumea. However, in the nationside (*brousse*), potholed or unpaved tracks on twisty mountainsides filled with speeding ore trucks are all too common, and driving at night is to be avoided at all costs.Around celebrations there are many drunk drivers on the roads.

What to see in New Caledonia

• Tjibaou Cultural Centre, a gift from the French Government. The architect was Renzo Piano, an Italian architect.
• Botanical garden
• Wandering along the waterfront in Noumea - Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata.
• The New Caledonia Barrier Reef — listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it encircles both the Grande Terre and Île des Pins. It's commonly called the New Caledonia Lagoon.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for New Caledonia

Snorkelling, diving, windsurfing

• Îlot Canard just outside the Anse Vata is a good place for beginners
• Aguille de Prony is an amazing underwater structure in the Prony bay south of Noumea

Relaxing, tanning, and generally doing nothing

• Baie des Citrons and the Anse Vata are common beaches at the Noumea peninsula
• Îlot Maitre has a resort. This can be visited by taxi boat from the Anse Vata, and by boat from the Baie de Mouselle
• Numerous other tourist resorts can be found throughout the Grande Terre and Île des Pins

Hiking and camping

• Parc de la Rivière Bleue in the Yaté region south of Noumea. Get there early because the best walks take a while to reach and you must be out of the park by 5pm. Plan on taking the shuttle (need to be booked ahead of time at the ticket office) if you want to skip a boring 2km walk on the road both ways.
• The Monts Koghis offer two nice walks just outside of Noumea. Park at the auberge des Monts Koghis, sign a release and leave your mobile number in case of emergency.
• Prony offers a nice 1.5h walk through the historical village. Park at the Baie de la Somme since the road is better and there's a lot more parking space and then follow the signs and get on the walk to Prony.
• Joining a hiking group is generally a good idea, since you then can really enjoy the great scenery without fear of getting lost, or having to stick with conventional tourist spots

Local Language in New Caledonia

The official language is French though most local residents speak New Caledonian patois, and it is difficult to find English speakers outside of Noumea except where a few pockets of English speakers are left amongst the elderly in the north-east. In Noumea, French, English, and Japanese are widely spoken at hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets. To enjoy a place like this, you should really endeavour to learn some French_phrasebook|French or the local languages.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in New Caledonia

Money Matters & ATM's in New Caledonia

The CFP franc (called just franc locally) is the currency used in New Caledonia, and also in the other Pacific territories of French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. The initials CFP used to stand for Colonies Françaises du Pacifique (“French colonies of the Pacific”), but this was changed later to Communauté Financière du Pacifique (“Pacific Financial Community”) and finally to its current incarnation: Change Franc Pacifique (“Pacific Franc Exchange”). Throughout these successive changes the ISO 4217 currency code has remained XPF and pegged first to the French franc and then to the euro.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in New Caledonia

Plenty of conventional souvenir shops may be found throughout Noumea.

What is the living cost in New Caledonia

New Caledonia is expensive, since much of the food needs to be imported. There is no culture of bargaining either and attempting such might cause offence.

Halal Restaurants in New Caledonia

Food is one of the highlights of New Caledonia: being a part of France, French cuisine is available everywhere and is generally of a very high standard. However, eating out will set you back a pretty penny: a full dinner for two in a tourist place with beach views or a hotel restaurant can easily set you back 10,000 francs.

Halal restaurants are limited

The cheapest way to go is self-catering. The contents of most supermarkets are largely imported from France, which means there's an amazing selection of Cheese and meats, but at a price. A cheaper option is visiting the local market (*marché*), which will have local produce and fresh seafood like tuna, shrimp and crab, but opening hours are limited (weekend mornings are often your best option).

Dishes

• Coconut crabs
• All fruits taste very good

Try kava. You can recognize a Kava bar by a red light outside and dim lighting inside. It is about XPF100 compared to XPF500 for a so about a fifth of the price. You drink the Kava immediately once you've purchased it and then go off to a dark bench to relax.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to New Caledonia

New Caledonia - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to New Caledonia, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for New Caledonia. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in New Caledonia and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to New Caledonia. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to New Caledonia. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in New Caledonia: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in New Caledonia.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in New Caledonia: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in New Caledonia, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in New Caledonia.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in New Caledonia, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in New Caledonia, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within New Caledonia and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in New Caledonia, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in New Caledonia, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of New Caledonia without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for New Caledonia is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring New Caledonia.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group New Caledonia is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in New Caledonia, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group New Caledonia Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in New Caledonia

eHalal Group New Caledonia is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in New Caledonia. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in New Caledonia.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in New Caledonia ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within New Caledonia. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in New Caledonia, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in New Caledonia are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@halal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in New Caledonia

There are many places around New Caledonia that are affordable rooms and in good condition.

Stay safe as a Muslim in New Caledonia

New Caledonia is fairly safe, but it is wise to take the following precautions:

• When snorkelling, avoid contact with sea urchins, which are often poisonous, and coral structures, which can cause scrapes that swell badly and take a long time to heal.
• Sea kraits (tricot rayé) are commonly seen in shallow lagoons and have a potentially lethal venom. However, bites are rare since they are not aggressive when left alone and only attack when threatened.
• There are sharks, some of them quite large, though Great White Sharks are rare. Avoid shark attacks by:
• Not carrying fish that you have caught (and may be bleeding) while in the water
• Facing the shark, so that to the shark you appear large, vertical and difficult to bite

Medical Issues in New Caledonia

Iodine or a similar disinfectant is invaluable to fight off small infections, which quite commonly occur in most sores and scratches.

Some mosquitoes carry the dengue fever virus. There is no vaccination for this, so it is important to prevent mosquito bites to the extent feasible. Consult a doctor for more information, and see the Dengue fever|Wikivoyage eHalal Travel Guide.

Telecommunications in New Caledonia

There is exactly one mobile operator in New Caledonia, OPT, which is also the only fixed line phone operator, only Internet service provider and only one postal service.

OPT has exactly one prepaid plan, Liberté. As of July 2023 and the SIM costs 8,195 XPF, which includes 3,000 XPF of credit. All local calls 44.10 XPF/min, while SMS are 12/42 XPF to local/international numbers.

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