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Best time to visit New Caledonia: month by month
Short answer
September to December is the best time, with highs of 24–29°C, fewer rainy days (around 14–15 a month from September to November) and the clearest lagoon water. January to March is hot, humid and the cyclone season, with 20–26 rainy days a month, while April to August is cooler (highs 23–27°C), good for walking and, from July, whale watching in the south.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 23°C | 26 | medium |
| Feb | 28°C | 24°C | 21 | low |
| Mar | 28°C | 23°C | 20 | low |
| Apr | 27°C | 22°C | 22 | medium |
| May | 25°C | 21°C | 16 | low |
| Jun | 24°C | 19°C | 12 | low |
| Jul | 23°C | 18°C | 11 | medium |
| Aug | 23°C | 18°C | 13 | medium |
| Sep | 24°C | 18°C | 14 | medium |
| Oct | 25°C | 20°C | 15 | medium |
| Nov | 27°C | 21°C | 14 | medium |
| Dec | 29°C | 23°C | 21 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
The best season: highs of 24–27°C, lows of 18–21°C and around 14–15 rainy days a month, with excellent visibility on the lagoon.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and humid, with highs of 28–29°C and 21–26 rainy days a month; cyclones are possible from January. Turtle nesting season at Bourail.
Autumn (Mar–May)
March and April are still warm (27–28°C) and wet (about 20–22 rainy days); May cools to about 25°C and dries out.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Mild and pleasant, with highs of 23–24°C, lows of 18–19°C and the fewest rainy days (about 11–13); whale watching in the south from July to September.
Events worth planning around
- Humpback whale watching in the south of the lagoon (roughly July to September)
- Turtle nesting at the Baie des Tortues near Bourail (roughly November to March)
- Bastille Day, the French national holiday (14 July)
When to avoid
Avoid January to March if you want guaranteed sunshine and calm seas, as it is the hottest, wettest time and cyclones can disrupt flights and boats. Late December and early January are busier and pricier with local and regional holidays.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit New Caledonia?
September to November, with warm weather, fewer rainy days and clear lagoon water.
When is cyclone season?
Mainly January to March, when it is also hot, humid and wet.
When can you see whales?
Humpback whales visit the south of the lagoon roughly from July to September.