Yacht Charter New Caledonia
The archipelago of New Caledonia, south of Vanuatu, has a warm, sunny climate cooled by the trade winds of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place for a sailing vacation if you love nature and watersports.
What’s on this pageHighlights
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Diverse geography
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Sweeping sheltered beaches
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Warm tropical climate
Sailing New Caledonia
New Caledonia is home to the world’s largest lagoon, a beautiful and unique natural aquarium covering over 9000 square miles, and one of the most remarkable and beautiful sailing destinations. The archipelago is also home to one of the world’s most extensive reef systems, with a diverse range of healthy coral and marine life, including whales, turtles and tropical fish.
We were the first company to offer sailing charters in this exciting cruising ground, and now have an extensive fleet operating from our base at Port Moselle in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia.
Nouméa is a cosmopolitan city which feels much like the French Riviera. Colorful waterfronts are lined with bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs, and it’s an ideal place to stock up on superb French gourmet food and wine. The city is within easy reach of the south lagoon, where you can sail Îlot Maître, Île des Pins, Île Ouen, Îlot Brosse and Ilot Kuaré.
Choose charter type below to see available charters options
Easy crewed
The simplest, hassle-free way to charter a crewed private yacht.
Fully crewed
Your own private yacht for an all-inclusive luxury sailing vacation.
Cabin cruise
Reserve a private ensuite stateroom on a modern catamaran.
SailShare
Low package rates for island-hopping aboard a sailing yacht.
Aqualodge
Get closer to nature on the perfect self-catering Caribbean vacation.
Motor Yachts
Cruise faster and see more on the perfect charter boat.
Things to do in New Caledonia
Visit a vanilla plantation
Sail to the quiet Pacific island of Lifou and visit an authentic vanilla plantation. New Caledonian vanilla is known for its excellent quality, and here you can learn about its history and production from one of the island’s many producers.
See the Oumagne Grotto
Oumagne Grotto, better known as the ‘Cave of the Queen’, is located on the north end of the Isle of Pines (Île des Pins) and a visit here is among the top things to do in New Caledonia. Hidden among lush tropical plant life, this grotto is a geological wonder and paradise of flora and fauna, complete with a mysterious legend.
Relax on Luengoni Beach
If you are sailing for longer, head to the Loyalty Island where you’ll find one of the region’s most beautiful beaches with its lush vegetation, white sand and limestone grottos and caves. Hidden treasures await here, including an underwater cave and sinkholes called ‘the jewels’.
Experience a traditional outrigger canoe
While sailing New Caledonia, head to the beautiful Isle of Pines and take an excursion on one of the island’s mélanésienne pirogues, a traditional Caledonian outrigger canoe.
Get to know the Kanak tribes
Immerse yourself in local culture by spending time learning the Kanak’s tribal customs on the east coast. You can meet the tribe by offering a small token to the chief, such as some money or sarong. You can even sleep in a hut and prepare Kanak meals. It’s one of our favorite things to do in New Caledonia.
Weather insights
When is the best time to go to New Caledonia?
New Caledonia has a tropical climate and the weather is spring-like year round. The most popular time to visit is September through December, when temperatures are the mildest and rainfall is low. Average temperatures are between 68°F and 89°F depending on the season.
Winter falls between the beginning of June and the end of September, with an average temperature around 75°F.
What are the sailing conditions in New Caledonia?
New Caledonia has southeast trade winds most of the year, blowing an average of 15 to 18 knots in winter and 18 to 22 knots in summer.
Some areas require a good knowledge of sailing, while others are to be avoided without a skipper. Sailing to Vanuatu is possible if you agree with our base team in advance.
Sailing New Caledonia with Dream Yacht Charter
Yacht charter New Caledonia
Sail New Caledonia and explore its exotic archipelago on a sailing charter. Choose from our catamarans and monohulls.
Skippered yacht charters New Caledonia
If you can’t sail, you can still enjoy an exciting sailing vacation in New Caledonia. Hire a skipper to take the helm and enjoy cruising this exciting destination.
New Caledonia sailing itinerary
Take a look at our New Caledonia sailing vacation suggestions
New Caledonia 7 Days
Other Itineraries
5-day itinerary New Caledonia: South Lagoon
8-day itinerary New Caledonia: Isle of Pines and South Lagoon
11-day itinerary New Caledonia: Isle of Pines and South Lagoon
16-day itinerary New Caledonia: Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands
Useful information for New Caledonia yacht charters
How do I get to New Caledonia from the US?
To get to our base in New Caledonia, fly into La Tontouta International Airport (NOU).
We can arrange airport transfers on request, which take about 45 minutes via taxi.
What language is spoken in New Caledonia?
The official language spoken in New Caledonia is French.
What is the currency for New Caledonia?
The currency in New Caledonia is the Pacific franc (CFP).
What documents do I need to sail New Caledonia?
For sailing New Caledonia you will need a valid US passport. US citizens do not need a visa for a stay less than one month.
Talk to us to make sure you have the correct documents before you travel.
How do I get around New Caledonia?
There isn’t a local bus from the airport to our base for your New Caledonia boat hire. Major car rental companies operate their offices at all airports, so please refer to the airport website for operating hours and contact details.
If you need an organized transfer from the airport, please contact our base manager. The airport is a 45-minute journey from our base.
What is the Wi-Fi like in New Caledonia?
Internet access is available at our marina. A router for onboard Wi-Fi can be rented for your charter. Cell phones can work, depending on zones, but don’t forget the roaming fees. There is internet access via cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots, but you may need to pay and speeds may vary.
What regulations are there in New Caledonia?
Night sailing is permitted only with the base manager’s agreement. All moorings are explained during the chart briefing and reported on maps given for your yacht charter in New Caledonia.
Where can I find weather forecasts in New Caledonia?
You can find New Caledonia weather forecasts on the Meteo website. Météo France forecasts are stuck up at the harbor master’s office and marina station from 7:30am. Special announcements are broadcast in case of cyclones or tropical waves, as well as a special colored flag on the mast of the harbor master’s office. Nautical weather forecasts are broadcast every day at 6:30am, 9:30am, 3:15pm and 6:30pm.
What provisioning is there in New Caledonia?
There are plenty of choices for provisioning in New Caledonia. Please refer to the base guide.
It is strongly recommended that you provision before you leave our base for sailing New Caledonia, as provisioning opportunities are extremely limited in the lagoon.
What baggage can I take on my New Caledonia sailing vacation?
Please only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on boarPlease only take soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.
What is the electrical current in New Caledonia?
The land electrical current in New Caledonia is 220V.
What is the dialing code for New Caledonia?
The dialing code for New Caledonia is +687.
FAQ
See all our FAQsWhy should I book with Dream Yacht?
Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:
- A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
- We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
- You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
- You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
- We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.
What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?
The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.
To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.
You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.
By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.
What is a skippered yacht charter?
A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.
You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.
You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.
What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?
Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.
Can you tell me about your yachts?
Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.
In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.
Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.
We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.
The following options are available in limited locations:
- Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
- Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.
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Simply wonderful! Fred + Isabelle were so accommodating and did so much for us. Isabelle’s food was incredible. Thank you so much!
Laura
Exumas CabinGreat class. Very professional and great service!
Thomas
Antigua BareboatJust what we needed to get out of a year of lockdown, see new places and connect with nature. Highly recommended for your next sailing adventure!
Johan
St. Martin BareboatExcellent cruise and wonderful stay on board. Skipper attentive, very pleasant and very professional.
Maxime
Guadeloupe SkipperedI have just returned from another fantastic week of sailing at your base in Pula and would like to thank everyone involved for making this possible at such short notice and without any problems.
Mathias
Croatia BareboatThe marina itself is a perfect base with super facilities! The Lagoon 42 was in good condition and the skipper was fantastic and knew the area very well.
Jonathan
Croatia SkipperedWhat an EXCELLENT experience. We just returned from a week long charter with skipper from Corfu, sailing around the beautiful islands of the Ionian Sea. Paxos, Antipaxos and the old town of Corfu were beautiful and the secluded bays we got to visit thanks to our local skipper Nicholas were simply stunning. Fly and Flops was yesterday – we will only charter with Dream Yacht for the foreseeable future.
David
Greece SkipperedOur group of 10 had a WONDERFUL time in French Polynesia from May 21-28, 2022! The food was fantastic: captain and cook, husband and wife: Henry and Mehee (sp) were amazing and the whole experience on board was a dream! We can’t wait to book another trip through Dream Yacht
Katie
Tahiti Crewed PremiumDream Yacht provided a great sailing experience for my extended family on 2 monohulls from Scrub Island. The boats were in very good condition and perfectly prepared, the staff friendly and helpful. I had worked for a number of charter companies over the years but Dream Yacht is one of the
Charlie
British Virgin Islands BareboatThe new boat was in perfect condition and best condition for exploring bays and islands. I could never have imagined that this could be so much fun and enjoyable and we are already looking forward to the next upcoming trip in the Ionian Sea.er.
Vytautas
Scandinavia BareboatBaja is now my favorite place. There was something for everyone: sailing under northerly winds with mostly calm evenings, snorkeling, fishing, secluded sandy beaches, pelican feedings, being greeted by barking sea lions, and exploring the geology of Ispiritu Santo Island. Dream Yacht Base La Paz provided competent professional support with a well-equipped and maintained boat. We were wonderfully cooked by an on-board chef arranged with Dream Yacht, which meant more free time for all of us. An unforgettable vacation and adventure connected with nature.
Taiyoko
Mexico Crewed PremiumAll the staff were fantastic and made our trip a memorable one. Incredibly friendly and welcoming, the food was fantastic. The service throughout the trip was always top notch!
Tommy
Thailand CabinAbsolutely recommendable. Perfect service. Will charter again and recommend Dream Yacht Charter anytime.
Zahradnik
Turkey BareboatI just returned from 3 weeks of fantastic sailing with my family on one of your catamarans in Sardinia. My thanks to our skipper Simone and Daniela, our cook.
Giles
Sardinia SkipperedFor a first cruise as a skipper, the Mediterranean is perfect. The service of Dream Yacht is too!
Thomas
France BareboatWe had an incredible trip and got engaged on our very first night of sailing! We will surely come back one day. We were beginners, we were guided very well and that gave us a lot of confidence.
George
Australia BareboatThe experience on board far exceeded our expectations. Isabelle provided exceptional three course meals. Her creativity and delicious meals were incredible. Thomas was an excellent skipper, he “felt” our needs. Thanks guys!” Spira, bareboat with crew in New Caledonia.
Spira
New Caledonia Crewed PremiumOnce again a fantastic sail with a great crew. Thanks again to a great captain and cook. Was totally fantastic.
Connie
Seychelles CabinA very excellent sailing vacation – especially the crew was fantastic. I would sail with Dream Yacht again and highly recommend them.
Mark
Guadeloupe BareboatI loved the vacation and am not sure this trip can ever be topped. Everything about it was incredible. The captain and crew were great, helpful, friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. We loved it.
Trina
Greece Crewed PremiumWe just returned from one of your Lagoon 52F’s last week in St. Thomas! We had the trip of a lifetime sailing around St. Thomas and St. John!
Megan
US Virgin Islands BareboatWhat’s new?
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