Temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold

The average monthly temperature in New Caledonia throughout the year is around 24°C in the shade. It hovers between 20-22°C during the cooler months (July/August) and 27-28°C during the hotter months (December/January/February), meaning that you’re very unlikely to need cosy clothing to warm you up during your time in New Caledonia unless you’re staying up in the mountains.

Although New Caledonia offers a delightfully balmy semi-tropical climate, experienced hikers know that between June and September you’ll find the perfect seasonal conditions for trail walking, while temperatures in the central mountain range can drop as low as zero at night, so warm clothes are a must! Chilly nights apart, the cool season is the ideal period for setting off to hike along the signposted trails that crisscross the vast nature reserves in both the North and South Provinces of the Main Island.

Don’t forget that the sun is still shining brightly so you should take care to drink plenty of water regardless of whether you’re on foot or on horseback, or what the current weather in New Caledonia may be.

Just the place for year-round sea bathing!

You can revel in recreational swimming and diving all year round too - the water is always delightfully pleasant! Even in the middle of the cool season (July-September), seawater temperatures are steady at 21-22°C (compared to 26-28°C from January to March). If you have the correct gear, the lagoon is perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Blue skies and sunshine guaranteed

On average, there are only 20 days a year when the sun doesn’t make an appearance, meaning that blue skies and sunshine are just about guaranteed.

Rainfall in New Caledonia

Average rainfall for the whole of the Main Island is 1,700 mm/year, but the East Coast gets twice as much rain as the West Coast. Statistically speaking, the dry seasons are April to May and September to November.

The refreshing coolness of the Trade Winds

Thanks to New Caledonia’s geographical location in the southern hemisphere, the country enjoys constant cooling south-easterly and easterly breezes. These trade winds not only keep the climate pleasantly balmy, but also make New Caledonia a paradise for a host of sports.

Keen windsurfers, kiteboarders and other surface water sports fans are well aware that New Caledonia’s lagoon is a dream playground. Constant south-easterly and easterly trade winds ruffle the waters nearly 250 days a year with little seasonal variation, meaning that you can ride the azure waters of New Caledonia's lagoon almost all year round!

And finally, if the sky is your chosen playground, there are thrills to be had throughout the year, provided, for some sports (powered paragliding, hang gliding), that wind speeds are moderate. You can revel in microlight flights, helicopter trips, skydiving and freefalling right through from January to December.

What about cyclones in New Caledonia?

Be aware that New Caledonia can be hit by active tropical cyclones or storms, but such severe weather events remain unpredictable and relatively rare, mostly occurring between February and April. During weather events of this kind, sports activities are strongly discouraged or prohibited depending on the official warning level. Please be sure to comply with any instructions you may be given.

Looking for the latest Nouméa weather forecast? Need to know what Lifou weather is like? You can check the latest New Caledonia weather forecast at www.meteo.nc.