Best time to visit New Caledonia
The best time to visit New Caledonia is during the months of September, October and November, when the weather is pleasantly warm and sunny, with little rainfall.
However, anytime from July to early-December is good for a range of outdoor actvities.
New Caledonia is a year-round destination.
New Caledonia weather
New Caledonia experiences a tropical climate, with a hot, rainy season from late-December to late-March, a cool, drier season from July to September; as well as two short transitional seasons.
The transitional seasons – April through May, and October through November – are characterized by comfortable temperatures around 26°C (78°F) during the day, with some rainfall.
The hot summer season includes the wet cyclone season from January through March, which usually brings torrential downpours at anytime of the day, but especially during the hottest months of February and March.
What is the best month to visit New Caledonia?
September, October and November are the best months to visit New Caledonia – the climate is pleasant with warm sunny weather, mainly clear blue skies and rainfall is at its lowest.
What are the best months for activities in New Caledonia?
The cooler months between April and August are best for hiking, climbing, cycling and horseback riding; while May to September is best for surfing; and October to January is best for swimming, snorkelling, diving and sunbathing.
April to November offers the best time for sailing, with southeasterly trade winds providing a regular 15-20 knots of wind daily. The tidal range in New Caledonia is only half a metre and currents are negligible.
Which is the hottest month in Nouméa, New Caledonia?
The hottest month in Nouméa is usually February, with an average high of 29°C (84°F) with high heat and humidity, and a low of 24°C (75°F).
The hot season lasts from mid-December to late-March, with an average daily high temperature above 28°C (82°F).
However, on the warmest days of the hot season, the temperature may climb to around 35°C (95°F).
Which is the coldest month in New Caledonia?
August is usually the coldest month in Nouméa, with an average high temperature of 23°C (73°F) and an average low temperature of 17°C (62°F).
The cool season lasts from mid-June to mid-September, with an average daily high temperature below 24°C (75°F).
When is it sunniest in New Caledonia?
The sunniest time of year in Nouméa is normally October, with more than eight hours of sunshine per day; that's an average of around 63% of daylight hours.
The amount of sunshine in Nouméa is good from September to December, when the sun shines about 65% of the time.
When is the sea warmest in New Caledonia?
The sea is usually at its warmest in New Caledonia in February when the water temperature averages a high of 27°C (80°F), which is pleasant for swimming.
You can expect warmer water from early-January to mid-April, with an average temperature above 26°C (78°F).
From July through to mid-October, the water is cooler, with an average temperature around 23°C (73°F), which is acceptable for swimming.
Which month has the most rain in New Caledonia?
March is usually the wettest month in Nouméa, New Caledonia with 170mm (6in) of rainfall on average. There are usually no less than 13 days in March with some rain.
You can expect rainfall anytime in New Caledonia, with bright sunshine between showers.
The wet season lasts from late-December to late-June, with a greater than 22% chance of a given day being a wet day.
The drier season lasts from early-July to late-December. The months of September and October are typically the driest months in New Caledonia. Rain falls throughout the year in Nouméa.
Which is the windiest month in New Caledonia?
March is the windiest month in Nouméa, New Caledonia, with an average hourly wind speed of 23 kilometres per hour (12 knots; 14mph).
The windier part of the year lasts from late-December to mid-June, with average wind speeds of more than 21 kilometres per hour (11 knots; 13mph).
The less windy time of year lasts from mid-June to late-December. September is the calmest month of the year, with an average hourly wind speed of 19 kilometres per hour (10 knots; 12mph).
The predominant average wind direction in New Caledonia is from the east throughout the year.
What's the likelihood of a storm in New Caledonia?
New Caledonia is susceptible to tropical cyclones and summer thunderstorms. There's a 4.5% likelihood of a tropical storm in New Caledonia during the month of March.
The storm season lasts from January through March.
New Caledonia Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average daily max (°C) | |||||||||||
| 29 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Average daily min (°C) | |||||||||||
| 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 80 | 80 | 85 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11+ | 11+ |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 110 | 130 | 170 | 110 | 90 | 100 | 65 | 70 | 40 | 45 | 55 | 80 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 26 |
| Nouméa, New Caledonia | |||||||||||
New Caledonia weather by month
Note: Meteorological data for New Caledonia is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020, and is sourced from the Météo France en Nouvelle-Calédonie at the closest weather station, Nouméa Magenta Airport (l'Aéroport de Nouméa Magenta) (GEA), which is 3km (2mi) east northeast of the centre of Nouméa. Additional climate data is sourced from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
More about New Caledonia…
Latest update: Best time to visit New Caledoni29 September, 2023
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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