UPDATE: NEW CALEDONIA NOW OPEN FOR TRAVEL
New Caledonia has officially reopened for travel. On June 27th, 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) lowered its advice level down from level 3, ‘reconsider your need to travel’ for the entire region, including the Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines, and inland areas of the western coast of Grand Terre. The update follows January’s downgraded travel advice to Noumea and other parts of New Caledonia to Level 2 – ‘Exercise a high degree of caution.’
IS NEW CALEDONIA COVERED?
The government had previously issued a level 3 travel warning or ‘“Reconsider your need to travel” to New Caledonia due to political tensions and civil unrest which erupted in May 2024.
In January, DFAT’s Smartraveller reduced its warning to parts of New Caledonia after its nightly curfew restrictions were called off. That same month New Caledonia’s national airline, Aircalin, announced an expansion of its services between Australia and Nouméa.
Decline in travel numbers
Despite welcome developments, last year’s civil unrest will no doubt leave some hesitant about returning to the destination.
According to data from Zoom Travel Insurance New Caledonia has seen a dramatic decline in policy sales over the past eight months, with a 60% drop over the December-January period- typically its peak season.
Zoom Marketing Manager Natasha Sullivan, says that tourists considering a visit to New Caledonia should note its overall level 2 advice level. “With DFAT lowering its travel warning to Level 2 to the entirety of New Caledonia, travel insurers will now cover New Caledonia, subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. The Australian government has now designated New Caledonia to be safe, provided you stay up to date with Smartraveller advice, avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, and ‘be aware of your personal security.’ Ensure you have sufficient travel insurance in advance of your trip and check the policy wording before you go.”
New Caledonia travel expected to rebound
Sullivan says that the insurer expects New Caledonia travel numbers to slowly ramp up to pre-2024 levels.“Prior to the civil unrest last year, we saw a nearly 70% rise in post pandemic travel to New Caledonia. It’s proximity, culture and cuisine are huge drawcards for Aussies seeking a unique and convenient holiday. New Caledonia is also a hugely popular cruise destination, welcoming hundreds of thousands of passengers each year. We expect travel to pick up in the coming months as the nation continues to stabilise.”
New Caledonia cruise uptick?
While cruises have returned to New Caledonia since last November, DFAT’s latest advice will no doubt provide peace of mind for thousands of passengers intending to cruise the region.
“With the downgrade in travel advice to popular tourist spots, such as the Isle of Pines and Lifou, passengers can now be rest assured that given the recent change in travel advice, they will be covered by travel insurance should anything go wrong. We would simply ask you to check the specifics of your policy and understand any relevant exclusions. Always purchase comprehensive travel insurance well ahead of your journey to ensure you are covered for any unexpected mishaps.”
FURTHER READINGS
Non-residents
Are you living in Australia temporarily and looking to go overseas for a holiday? If that's you, you've come to the right place!
Adventure activities
Keen to do more than just getting your zen on? Zoom to great cover with our adventure pack covering you for heaps more adventure sports.
RIDING A SCOOTER
At Zoom, you're covered to ride a motorbike or scooter of any engine size provided you are licensed to do so in Australia!
FAQ's
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