New Caledonia weather at a glance
New Caledonia is a tropical archipelago in the South Pacific, and its weather is warm throughout the year. The figures on this page come from the climate normals of the Nouméa weather station (Météo-France, 1991 to 2020). They describe Nouméa only. The wetter east coast and the outer islands differ, and the weather service publishes separate sheets for Hienghène, Lifou, Ouvéa and the Île des Pins.
These are long-term averages, not a forecast for your dates. Use them to choose a month, then watch the forecast and any warnings before you travel.
Weather by month in Nouméa
Average daily high and low in °C and average monthly rainfall in mm, climate normals 1991 to 2020.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29.5 °C | 23.4 °C | 107.2 mm |
| February | 29.9 °C | 24.0 °C | 128.3 mm |
| March | 29.0 °C | 23.5 °C | 161.9 mm |
| April | 27.4 °C | 22.0 °C | 118.3 mm |
| May | 25.6 °C | 20.2 °C | 89.9 mm |
| June | 24.2 °C | 18.9 °C | 77.5 mm |
| July | 23.4 °C | 17.7 °C | 69.8 mm |
| August | 23.4 °C | 17.5 °C | 67.5 mm |
| September | 24.7 °C | 18.3 °C | 39.3 mm |
| October | 26.2 °C | 19.6 °C | 36.3 mm |
| November | 27.6 °C | 21.0 °C | 44.2 mm |
| December | 29.1 °C | 22.5 °C | 64.0 mm |
The wettest month in this series is March, with 161.9 mm. The driest are October, September and November. The coolest nights come in July and August, with average lows around 17.5 °C.
Lagoon trips and island days
Boat trips, island days and diving from Nouméa, with live prices and availability.
Best time to visit New Caledonia
There is no single best month. The right one depends on what you want to do.
- Beaches and boat days: September to November is the drier part of the year in the Nouméa series, with October the driest month. Days are warm, with average highs between 24.7 °C and 27.6 °C. Treat this as a planning option, not a promise of good weather.
- Hot, humid weather: December to March has the highest temperatures, with highs between 29.0 °C and 29.9 °C. It is also the wetter stretch, from January to April.
- Cooler months: June to August has the lowest temperatures, with highs around 23 to 24 °C. Rainfall is moderate, between 67.5 and 77.5 mm.
Bookings on the islands depend on flights and ferries more than on the weather. Read the travel tips for the current transport picture before you fix your dates.
Cyclone season
The sources do not use the same dates, so both are given here.
Local definition
The local weather service and the civil protection authority describe the cyclone season as November to April.
Australian travel advice
Australia's Smartraveller uses November to May and points out that severe weather can occur outside the season as well.
Warning stages
The civil protection system uses a pre-warning, alert level 1, alert level 2 and a safeguard phase. Instructions from the civil protection authority come before any tourist advice.
What to do
If you travel between November and May, buy flexible tickets where you can, keep your accommodation details at hand and follow the official instructions if a warning is issued. Island flights and ferries can change at short notice.
Humpback whale season
Humpback whales pass New Caledonia in the cooler months. The Province Sud describes the passage as running from June to September. Tourism information for the Shabadran area on Maré gives mid-July to mid-September as the observation period. The two do not refer to the same area, and no sighting is guaranteed.
Strict rules apply on the water. Stay at least 100 m from whales and do not chase them or approach from directly ahead or behind. Do not block their path and keep away from calves and groups with calves. A maximum of 4 boats may watch at the same time, on the same side. Each boat may stay with a group for 1 hour at a stretch and 3 hours in total. The Province Sud lists a fine of 90,000 XPF, doubled in a marine protected area. Cap N'Dua has a land viewing area. These rules come from the Province Sud, so check the rules of the province you are in. See the lagoon page for more reef rules.
Using the numbers for your trip
If your trip centers on Nouméa and a day on the water, the table is a good guide. Check the forecast a few days before your boat day. If you plan to stay on the islands, such as the Île des Pins or Lifou, use the island weather sheets from the weather service for local values.
For swimming rules in Nouméa, including shark-related restrictions that have been issued in 2026, read the Nouméa guide. For where to sleep in each season, see where to stay.
New Caledonia weather: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit New Caledonia?
For dry, warm days, September to November is a good planning option. In Nouméa, October has the lowest average rainfall at 36.3 mm. The best month still depends on your plans, and no month guarantees good weather.
When is the cyclone season in New Caledonia?
The local weather service and civil protection describe November to April. Smartraveller uses November to May. Follow the civil protection instructions if a warning is issued.
How hot does it get?
In Nouméa the average daily high peaks at 29.9 °C in February. The coolest month by high is July or August, at 23.4 °C.
When can I see humpback whales?
The Province Sud describes the passage from June to September. For Shabadran on Maré, mid-July to mid-September is given. Sightings are not guaranteed, and viewing rules apply.
Do the Nouméa figures apply to the islands?
No. They describe the Nouméa station only. The weather service publishes separate sheets for Hienghène, Lifou, Ouvéa and the Île des Pins.