New Caledonia has great accommodation options! You can choose between sleeping in a 5-star luxurious bungalow over the water while admiring a beautiful sunset and sipping a cocktail; or camping in the middle of the lush wilderness, bbqing the night away and waking up to the birds singing… the choices for both options are innumerable. Here is a full guide on where to stay in New Caledonia
When it comes to finding accommodation in a foreign country, it all comes down to digging up the perfect combo between the location, prices meeting your budget, and quality. In this article, expect to read the best accommodation options in New Caledonia for every budget. Yes, it’s very possible! Let me show you:
One thing New Caledonia specializes in is luxurious hotels and resorts. From breathtaking views to impeccable food and service, you will be amazed by the overall quality. Here are the best 5-star and 4-star accommodations available in New Caledonia:
New Caledonia Luxurious Accommodations: Hotels and Resorts – The Best Accommodation in New Caledonia
- Hotel Le Méridien, Nouméa ***** – Great location on the beach, luxurious facilities, amazing buffets, big pool, beach access, gorgeous hotel
- Hotel Chateau Royal, Nouméa **** – Accommodation with a beautiful location; very luxurious, incredible pool and spa facilities, beautiful views, beach access
- Hotel Hilton Ilot Maitre **** – Accommodation over the water in New Caledonia, on an island 20 min away from Nouméa, breakfast included, a great pool + buffet – so relaxing
- Hotel Hilton, Nouméa Anse Vata **** – Good hotel, amazing location, magnificent views, facilities a bit run down
- Hotel Sheraton, Bourail ***** – Fairly new luxurious accommodation about 2h away from Nouméa, near La Roche Percée
- Hotel Le Méridien, Ile des Pins *****– One of the best hotels in New Caledonia, an experience you will never forget, Isle of Pines is gorgeous and breakfast is included; this could make your island experience even better
- Hotel Ouré Tera, Ile des Pins **** – Another great accommodation which is a little bit cheaper than the Méridien; a beautiful luxurious hotel with great views, breakfast included.
Although staying in a luxurious hotel in New Caledonia is dreamy and can be very tempting, it isn’t for everyone’s budget. Bear in mind that some mid-range hotels’ prices can easily escalate to the same price as a night in the magnificent Chateau Royal, for example. But sometimes, it can be worth spending that extra €20.00 for a more luxurious escapade. Here is a list of my favorite mid-range accommodation options, many more are available on Airbnb:
Mid-Range Hotels – Accommodation Options in New Caledonia
In Nouméa
- Casa Del Sole Apartments *** – Amazing location, good facilities, amazing views, big rooms
- Nouvata Hotel *** – Accommodation located in the centre of Nouméa, great views, facilities are average, good prices
- Hotel Beaurivage – In Nouméa near the beach, great views, good prices, good facilities
- Hotel Gondwana city green *** – Sustainable, great location, beach view, great facilities
- This BEAUTY on AirBnb – BOOK IN ADVANCE! Gorgeous place, awesome reviews, cheap, great value for money
Accommodations outside Nouméa
- Les Bulles de Farino – BOOK IN ADVANCE! An incredible accommodation and unique experience you will not regret, in the middle of nature, breakfast included, amazing views
- Les Cases de Plum **** – Located 30min away from Nouméa, a great escapade in the middle of a tropical garden, 2-min walk from the Black Sand Beach
- Hotel Koulnoué Village, Hienghene *** – Unique escapade in the Northern part of the Grande Terre, classy accommodation, amazing food, beach access, good facilities
- Hotel Kanua Tera Ecolodge *** – In the South of the Grande Terre, hotel on the beach, average facilities
- La Case, Bouloupari – Around 1h30min from Nouméa, chalet, great reviews, homey feeling, local stay
- Hotel Tieti, Poindimié *** – Accommodation located up North, great views, fair price, good facilities
Staying on the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia
- Hotel Oasis de Kiamu, Lifou ** – Great accommodation on one of the Loyalty islands, near the beach, good facilities
- This gite on AirBnb – LOCAL on an island called Tiga, awesome experience, 100% recommend
Cheap Accommodation/Hotels in Nouméa and all over New Caledonia – Camping in New Caledonia
It is very possible to travel to New Caledonia on a budget: these accommodation options start as low as €20.00/person/night. Don’t think that low prices automatically mean run down accommodations! On the contrary, the only hostel in New Caledonia has a pretty high standard.
Prices for 2pax/night.
- Auberge de Jeunesse (Hostel) Nouméa €40.00/$43.00 – The only hostel in New Caledonia, clean, good location, cheap
- Tiakan Camping – Located in Ponérihouen, fair prices, great views, beautiful location
- Le Camp des Kaori – very unique night to spend in the Blue River National Park, with suspended tents and huts, in the middle of nature, affordable prices
- This private room on AirBnb – Very cheap accommodation for Nouméa, good location, great reviews
- Babou Plongée – Located in Hienghene, very cheap camping, activities (such as diving, boat rides…) available on site
- A private room on a Catamaran on AirBnb – Great experience, cheap accommodation, fun, great location, good reviews, helpful host
- Kejaon Gite & Camping – Located on the very North of the “Caillou”, camping facilities with great views and restaurant, as well as gites, activities available
- Private Room in an apartment– Cheap accommodation, good location in Nouméa, great reviews
- Caledonian Wakepark – Amazing camping site in La Foa with cheap prices, camping spaces to bungalows, great views, restaurant, activities
Free Accommodation in New Caledonia | Camping in New Caledonia
Let’s explore the most authentic and free accommodation options in New Caledonia. Camping out in your tent gazing at the stars with your BFFs, sleeping in the back of your pick-up truck with your lover, or just you and your sleeping bag directly on a white-sand beach, is the most original way to sleep in New Caledonia.
Now, let the fun begin:
– Camping for free in New Caledonia:
If you’re into camping, you will love it in New Caledonia even more! It’s very easy to set up your tent/camping gear freely on the islands (the Loyalty’s, Isle of Pines, the small remote ones like Ilot Signal or Ilot Laregnere), up bush in the North or near the Southern rivers and waterfalls, on the mainland. Just, don’t always expect to have facilities such as showers or toilets on these free accommodation sites. Please remember to bring trash bags and pick up after yourself.
You can either come to New Caledonia with your own camping gear, rent some or just buy everything when you arrive. There is a DECATHLON where you can find all sorts of things at a fair price (tent for 2pax starting at 7,000CFP/€58.00). There are also a couple of options if you don’t feel like bringing all of your stuff from home: you can rent your camping gear, or just rent a tent + mattress directly on select camping sites; accommodation prices on camping sites start as cheap as 1900CFP/€15.90/ tent/night.
Camping is a great accommodation option in New Caledonia, and I’m not exaggerating. Just like I suggested you try and scrunch in a couple nights in a luxurious hotel even if you’re on a budget, I also highly recommend spending a couple of nights camping in New Caledonia, even if your budget isn’t limited.
There is always a slight chance that danger could be around because you are on an island and therefore, New Caledonia isn’t always safe. Just be careful where you plant your tent. If you leave for a while, take your expensive belongings with you, or lock them up inside your car, even on private camping sites. But trust me, you’ll still love it!
Some of my best teenage memories are camping in the middle of nowhere, either on a beach or near a river, with my friends, a few beers, some music… the best combo for unforgettable souvenirs. Accessing these spots requires a car though. Be sure to check out my article on Transportation in New Caledonia.
– Workaway:
For the moment, as volunteering for free accommodation options, there are only a few opportunities on the whole island. My top three favorites are:
- Helping in a farm in Boulouparis
- Help building a house in Dumbéa
- Release your artistic sense in Maré
– “Dormir à la belle étoile” (sleeping under the stars):
The weather is so nice that sleeping outside becomes a very suitable accommodation option for two or three nights (or the whole time if you love it), you get connected with nature, you can breathe in the fresh air, the sky is beautiful with little to no pollution… Just sit back, relax, buy a couple of beers + some snacks, and enjoy!
New Caledonia is a protected archipelago, so please help to preserve this magnificent territory as long as possible. When it comes to camping and “dormir à la belle étoile”, several rules are to be respected. Please take these rules seriously, plus if you don’t, you will be fined. Before heading somewhere, be sure you ask around (or your taxi boat driver) about what is allowed on this or that island, rules can differ.
5 things to know before camping in New Caledonia:
- Some islands prohibit camping, such as the private ones (Ilot Canard and Ilot Amédée for example) or the protected islands (such as Ilot Goeland; banned to humans to protect bird or turtle reproduction)
- You cannot take anything from islands/beaches (such as seashells, sand, flowers…),
- Fishing is not allowed on many islands, or when it is, it is restricted. You can only catch certain species of fish and no more than what you will eat; no wasting!
- Disturbing the wildlife is prohibited (no shouting, no bothering them, no loud music…),
- No fires allowed except in the supplied BBQ areas. Think beforehand and bring your own wood; no chopping allowed.
In summary, respecting the New Caledonian environment is key if you wish to spend some time camping there. It is still very well preserved and we must help to keep it this way for the sake of the environment and future generations. Don’t leave any traces behind you.
Now, you can see that it’s possible to save money on accommodation in New Caledonia.
Just keep an open mind, open yourself up for adventure and try leaving your comfort zone (if this isn’t your normal scene). Whether you’ve decided on staying in a luxurious Caledonian island resort, renting a private room in someone’s apartment, or spontaneously camping in the middle of nowhere; your time in the New Caledonian paradise will be marvellous.
Don’t underestimate this hidden gem!