Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Vanuatu or New Caledonia? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
richesbigtrip 02:56 UTC 05 Feb 2009 | This is a bit of a general query but the good lady and I are planning two weeks in either of the above locations around the end of March (we will be flying from Sydney). Any helpful input on the following would be greatly appreciated:- 1. Which one is the cheapest/ best value? 2. Which is easier to get to and around? 3. Is it worth seeing both? how easily and affordibly can this be arranged? 4. Anythings worth a special recommendation e.g. special attractions, locations, sites, accommodation etc? 5. Diving- Van or New C? 6. Any other morsels of useful information that might be worth knowing? Thanks. R&N. |
mandja 09:51 UTC 05 Feb 2009 | Neither are cheap. Vanuatu is less developed and perceived to be cheaper Probably NC because it is more developed 3.yes, but not on the same trip 4.for both - many . See the FAQs and also read past postings 5.dunno, I dont dive 6.see 4 above | 1
Laszlo 11:25 UTC 05 Feb 2009 | I actually found Vanuatu pricier, but really, both are expensive! NC is definitely MUCH easier to get around - fewer islands, MUCH better infrastructure. Yes, it is certainly worth seeing both, and I did it on the same trip, but it does take time. Vanuatu has much richer marine life, being more tropical. | 2
newfie43 00:02 UTC 07 Feb 2009 | I did both on a trip in 2006, Vanuatu first and then New Caledonia, about 10 days in each. As noted by the other posters they were both about the same when it came to costs, although we found the tours were more expensive in NC. NC has better roads and driving yourself around is easy(although road signs could be better). The main island in NC is quite a bit larger and therefore more opportunity if you like to explore. As for seeing both, there is quite a contrast - Vanuatu is more undeveloped and there is the opportunity to see a culture and way of life that will be very different - NC is more European and sophisticated, with a high standard of living. Although Vanuatu has some French we found it easier to communicate in English as opposed to NC. We used Air Vanuatu to fly to NC - you could check out their website to see schedules and costs. We found it worthwhile to see both but coming from Canada, we did so as we felt we might not get that way again. I would recommend a trip to Tanna if you visit Vanuatu - the Mt. Yaser volcano was the highlight of our trip. In NC, we splurged on a trip to Ile d' Pins which was the best part of our trip to NC - great beaches and the snorkeling at the Piscine Naturalle was outstanding. I can't comment on the diving as we only snorkel. Overall we enjoyed Vanuatu the most. I would also suggest, as Mandja has , that you check the FAQ's to help you in your decision. If you have more questions then, I'll be only to glad to help. | 3
sneaker_fish 04:17 UTC 10 Feb 2009 | One thing you may find is that there are often cheaper accommodation & flight packages to Vanuatu. I would suggest that this is due to Virgin/Pacific/Polynesian Blue (unreated sidenote: I hate that it goes by 3 names!) having a flight to Port Vila. However, there have been cheaper package deals to Vanuatu from NZ and Australia for a good few years now. Maybe not so important in the scheme of other things, particularly if you then have other costs to take into account but something to keep in mind. Edited by: sneaker_fish | 4
mandja 07:58 UTC 10 Feb 2009 | AirCalin currently have specials to Noumea from Brisbane and Sydney. | 5