Making the most of Noumea
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships are due alongside Quai des Longs Courriers in the town centre. An open-air market occupies the terminal plaza, while the building’s second floor hosts live music and vendor stalls. Occasionally vessels use the commercial harbour about one kilometre north, with shuttles supplied.
Noumea is straightforward to explore by walking.
Taxis seldom wait nearby and only visit the pier when booked by phone.
Take a printable map.
New Caledonia’s capital is a stronghold of French culture and is often nicknamed the Pacific’s St-Tropez. Noumea feels distinctly colonial and French, and almost everything functions reliably except from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., when everything shuts.
Place des Cocotiers is a beautiful square at the city’s heart and the kilometer-zero point from which all island distances are calculated. Fontaine Monumentale forms its centrepiece. To the square’s left stands St. Joseph’s Cathedral, constructed in 1893 with two square towers.
Getting around
New Caledonia Aquanature runs snorkelling trips on the world’s second-largest coral reef barrier.
The motorised Petit Yellow Train provides a guided introduction to Noumea and its surroundings.
Numerous additional excursions are sold at the terminal.
Nearby places
Three miles north-east of town, the Botanical Garden and Zoo contains colourful parrots, several flying foxes and the unusual flightless cagou, the national bird.
Nouméa may have the South Pacific’s “best” climate, enjoying more sunny days than any other Pacific Island capital and excellent beaches close to the city centre.
Food and shopping
New Caledonia is costly because much of its food is imported. Bargaining is not part of the culture and an attempt may cause offence.
French imports are among Noumea’s best purchases, with duty-free retailers giving savings of 20 to 30%.
A large Casino supermarket stands opposite the cruise terminal.
Money
The currency is the CFP franc (XPF
Staying connected
The official language is French.
Hotels, restaurants and shops widely use English and Japanese.
Opening Hours and
Retail hours are Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1400-1800, with Sat 0730-1100. Certain shops open on Sunday morning, and the city market trades seven days weekly.