| goes17:27 UTC26 Apr 2007 | I am planning a trip to new Caledonia in October of this year with my wife and 17 year old son. I have done a fair bit of research on the net and a LP guide book,however there are a few gaps that travellers could help me with please.
Firstly we are looking at spending 4 to 6 days in Noumea with preferably self catering apartments or motels. Suggestions under $A100 per night please.Are B & Bs an option? We are not 4 or 5 star types of people.
We are avid snorkellers: which is better Baie De Citrons or Anse Varta.? How do you get to Isle aux Canards ? Can you take local buses to beaches further south,eg. Baie de Sainte Marie?
We are also planning a day at Amedee. is there only the one tour operator that goes here?
We also wish to spend 4 to 6 days on Isle Of Pines. I cannot find the timetables or web site for the Betico ferry. I have read on the web that it doesn't leave Noumea every day,but it doesn't say which days it does run. Are there any other ferries going to IP ?
On Isle of Pines the Naitiwatch Gites seems to be a nice type of accommodation offering two types according to their web site.
They seem to be a choice of older traditional lodges,sleeping up to 6 or a modern "Motel "type for 4. If anyone has experiences of Naitiwatch or other gites on I of P I would love to hear from you.
Which one of the units at Naitiwatch has the cooking and fridge and self contained shower and toilet? Is drinking water ok or is it better to buy bottled and other essentials and bring them to the island on the ferry with you ?
Is this Naitiwatch close to the beach of Kanumera ?
I also see that the village of Oro has great snorkelling.Do buses or tuk tuks run up to here from the south?
Does the island get overcrowded at any time,especially when cruise ships call ? We are sick of Bali and looking for the quiet holiday.
We would be flying from Brisbane and according to the time tables, the plane doesn't arrive until almost midnight. Would this be a problem getting a transfer into Noumea at this time of night in view of the fact that the airport is so far out of town?
If the ferries are only twice a week,we may have to fly to and from the I of P. Is there any cheap ticket options eg"Early Bird" plans?
When returning from the Island of Pines by air or transferring airports (Magenta to Tontouta or vv) they seem so far apart,is there a regular transfer service for passengers?
On a small negative side I must comment that despite a couple of phone calls and email requests for much of the information I am seeking above; to the Sydney office of New Caledonia Tourism, none has arrived in the mail box after several weeks waiting.Their response is IMHO rather poor.
All responses from Lonely Planeteers will be greatly appreciated.
merci
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| tropicgirl17:45 UTC26 Apr 2007 | I have replied to the bulk of your questions in the New Caledonia on a budget post. Bring bottled with you from Noumea.
Nataiwatch is on Kuto Beach. There is a road to cross with a small grove of trees between Kuto and Kanumera Beach.
The best way to get to the Baie D'Oro is by pirogue (outrigger canoe). Your gite will be able to organise this for you. Alternatively your gite will organise a shuttle bus for you.
The island never gets crowded - that's the beauty of it. When cruise ships call the passengers tend to congregate around Kuto beach.
no problems with transfers - there are always shuttle buses waiting to take tourists into Noumea.
You can get a tchap tchap airpass allowing you 4 sectors of flights to fly to Isle Des Pins.
No transfer service that I am aware of between Magenta and Tontouta although the regular commuter bus goes to Magenta.
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| mandja20:03 UTC01 May 2007 | As well as bottled water it might be a good idea to stock up on other groceries in Noumea. Local prices and the range dont compare.
The pirogue trip from Baie d'oro is lovely and highly recommended.
Nataiwatch is my pick for reasonably priced well located accom.
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| mandja20:04 UTC01 May 2007 | Also consider Chez Regis which is near the Piscine - for mine the standout sight (along with Kuto/Kanumera)
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| mandja20:06 UTC01 May 2007 | <blockquote>Quote
<hr>I cannot find the timetables or web site for the Betico ferry<hr></blockquote>
Lord knows why but none exists.I recall that there are 3 trips per week incl Weds and Saturdays?
Transfers between Magenta and Tontouta are likely to be pricey (other than by bus- consider a rental car or taxi if there are at least 2 or more of you.
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