When to go · New Caledonia
New Caledonia in January
Mixed month. Hot, humid and cyclone season; residents' holidays fill the islands.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- High
- New Caledonia
- Prices
- High
- New Caledonia
Verdict
Hot, humid and cyclone season; residents' holidays fill the islands.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- Nouméa and the west coast · Nouméa, Bourail, La Foa, Konéstorm or typhoon risk
Drier side of Grande Terre; 30 °C (86 °F) and humid in the hot season, 20–24 °C (68–75 °F) and windy in the cool season (June–August).Drier side of Grande Terre; 86 °F (30 °C) and humid in the hot season, 68–75 °F (20–24 °C) and windy in the cool season (June–August).
- East coast and the north · Hienghène, Poindimié, Thiostorm or typhoon risk
Wetter windward coast with lush valleys; roads can close after heavy rain.
- Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines · Lifou, Maré, Ouvéa, Isle of Pinesstorm or typhoon risk
Lagoon swimming is best September–December and April–May; cool-season water is fresh (22–23 °C (72–73 °F)).Lagoon swimming is best September–December and April–May; cool-season water is fresh (72–73 °F (22–23 °C)).
- Nouméa30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
In the middle of the summer holidays; resorts busy.
Southern summer school holidays big impact
Mid-December to mid-February
Residents fill the Isle of Pines, Loyalty Islands and ferries; book early.
Cyclone season
Dec–Apr · Nouméa
Storms can close airports and cancel ferries; keep a buffer day.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · New Caledonia
- High
- Prices · New Caledonia
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in New Caledonia, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Crowds
Jan: High
May: Low
Prices
Jan: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 3
May: 2
January: Hot, humid and cyclone season; residents' holidays fill the islands.
May: Warm days, cooler nights; good for hiking and islands.
New Caledonia: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries
Where to go in January
Better another month
Nouméa and the west coast
Drier side of Grande Terre; 30 °C (86 °F) and humid in the hot season, 20–24 °C (68–75 °F) and windy in the cool season (June–August).Drier side of Grande Terre; 86 °F (30 °C) and humid in the hot season, 68–75 °F (20–24 °C) and windy in the cool season (June–August).
East coast and the north
Wetter windward coast with lush valleys; roads can close after heavy rain.
Loyalty Islands and Isle of Pines
Lagoon swimming is best September–December and April–May; cool-season water is fresh (22–23 °C (72–73 °F)).Lagoon swimming is best September–December and April–May; cool-season water is fresh (72–73 °F (22–23 °C)).