Everything you need to prepare for the 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation in Nouméa, 7–11 September 2026 — entry rules and biosecurity, getting from the airport, conference logistics, money and connectivity, health and safety, and what to do with an evening off.

Download the Welcome Booklet (PDF, EN / FR)

This page reproduces the conference Welcome Booklet. Visa requirements and the partner-hotel list are kept on the Venue & travel page so there is a single, up-to-date source for each — the links below take you straight to them.

1. Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to Nouméa for the 11th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation. This page provides the essential information to make your stay as smooth and enjoyable as possible. New Caledonia welcomes you to the heart of the South Pacific, blending Pacific traditions, indigenous culture and exceptional biodiversity.

Discovering New Caledonia

  • An exceptional archipelago — New Caledonia is a unique land with a rich multi-ethnic identity where Kanak, Pacific, European and Asian cultures intersect. Stretching across the “Grande Terre”, the Loyalty Islands, the Isle of Pines, the Belep Archipelago and numerous islets, the territory harbours globally significant biodiversity with a remarkably high rate of endemism.
  • UNESCO World Heritage — New Caledonia’s lagoon is one of the largest and most breathtaking in the world. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008 for its spectacular geological and biological diversity, it comprises six marine zones protecting a vast coral reef, endangered species and a pristine marine ecosystem.

Experience New Caledonia while you are here →

Kanak culture and customary etiquette

Custom and respect. Indigenous Kanak culture is deeply rooted in the land and respect for all living things. If you have the opportunity to visit the “Brousse” (rural mainland), the Loyalty Islands or a local tribe, it is customary to perform the “coutume”: a gesture of exchange, humility and respect — a symbolic offering such as a piece of fabric called “manou”, a banknote or a small gift — presented to the local customary authorities or the host tribe.

  • Respect the environment — please do not touch coral reefs, do not collect live shells, and always take your rubbish with you.
  • Sacred (“Tabou”) sites — certain natural or burial sites are sacred (tabou). Always ask for permission before entering non-designated areas or taking photographs.

2. Before you leave

Entry requirements

New Caledonia applies its own specific entry regulations.

  • Passport — a valid individual passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date) is mandatory for all foreign visitors, regardless of nationality.
  • EU, EEA, Andorra, Monaco and Swiss nationals — no visa required. A valid passport is sufficient.
  • Other nationalities — please contact the French Embassy or Consulate in your country promptly. Visa application for non-EU nationals ↗
  • Upon arrival — mandatory passage through Border Police, Customs and Biosecurity controls.

Check the requirement for your country in the visa table →

Biosecurity

Crucial point. New Caledonia enforces strict biosecurity regulations managed by the Veterinary, Food and Phytosanitary Inspection Service (SIVAP) to protect its fragile island ecosystem.

Upon arrival (entry)

  • Mandatory declaration — animals, food products, plants, seeds, wood, and customary gifts (woven mats, wooden carvings).
  • Procedure — complete the health declaration form distributed on the aircraft. In case of doubt, declare all items systematically to avoid heavy fines.

Upon departure (leaving the territory)

  • Strict regulation — the export of animal species (wildlife, birds, reptiles, fish) and plant species (plants, flowers, seeds, fruit), as well as products of animal or plant origin, is strictly regulated or prohibited.
  • SIVAP authorisations and certificates — for certain items (animals, plants, fresh produce, untreated wood crafts, carvings, mats, or species protected under the CITES convention), prior authorisation and a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate issued by SIVAP are mandatory before boarding.
  • Advice — enquire with SIVAP at the beginning of your stay to complete any necessary export paperwork prior to your departure.

SIVAP contact: 2 rue Russeil, Nouméa · Tel. +687 24 37 45 · davar.sivap@gouv.nc

Insurance and practical steps

  • Travel insurance — while requirements vary depending on your nationality, taking out individual travel insurance is strongly advised to cover potential medical expenses or trip cancellations.
  • Bank cards — notify your bank of your travel to New Caledonia to prevent automatic security blocks on your credit or debit cards during local transactions.

Roaming / mobile data warning. New Caledonia is generally not included in standard international or European mobile roaming plans. Please disable your mobile data upon landing, or purchase an international add-on from your provider prior to departure. Local SIM and Wi-Fi options are in section 6 below.

What to pack

  • Reusable water bottle / flask — this is a zero-plastic event.
  • Power adapter — European standard Type C/F plugs.
  • Clothing and accessories — light jacket or cardigan (for air-conditioned conference rooms), compact umbrella, hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
  • Reusable shopping bag — for your daily purchases.
  • Northern Province field trip (with overnight stay) — closed walking shoes, warm clothing for the evening, and essential personal toiletries and overnight items.

3. Arrival and transport

Airport services

  • ATMs
  • Currency exchange office
  • Free Wi-Fi in the airport arrival hall
  • Telecoms Corner (local SIM cards / pocket Wi-Fi rentals) — open 7 days a week from 6:00 to 1:00, present 2 hours before every departure and 1.5 hours after every arrival.

From La Tontouta Airport (1 hour drive)

  • Authorised airport shuttles (advance booking recommended) — numerous private shuttle companies offer transfers to Nouméa hotels. List of approved shuttle services ↗
  • Taxi — taxi rank located right outside the arrival terminal (approx. 7,500 XPF to Nouméa city centre).
  • Car rental — traditional rental agencies and app-based car-sharing services (for example electric vehicles via the papaye ↗ mobile app) are available at the airport. List of car rental agencies ↗

Getting around Nouméa

  • Tanéo bus network — local urban bus service. taneo.nc ↗
  • Taxis / ride-hailing — bookings available via the Nouméa Central Taxi Booking Desk (Tel. +687 28 35 12) or through local ride-hailing apps such as zygo.nc ↗
  • Car rental in town — several agencies (combustion and electric vehicles) operate in downtown Nouméa and the hotel districts.

4. At the conference

Conference programme

The updated conference agenda is published on this website. View the day-by-day programme →

Key contacts

Conference venue

  • Main site — Tjibaou Cultural Centre
  • Address — rue des accords de Matignon, Tina
  • Wi-Fi — network adck_public (free open access, no password required)
  • Transport — dedicated shuttle buses operated exclusively from the 11 designated partner hotels.

Transport notice. Conference shuttle buses to the Tjibaou Cultural Centre depart strictly from the official partner hotels. If you are staying in alternative accommodation and require shuttle pick-up from one of the partner hotels, please contact the organising team immediately at conference-nature@gouv.nc. Otherwise, daily commuting will be at your own expense.

Field trips

Notice: limited availability. Field trips are strictly reserved for participants registered prior to 10 August 2026.

Northern Province (8 to 10 September inclusive)

  • Information and logistics — several study itineraries planned; participants will be divided into groups. Transport provided by coach.
  • Departure Tuesday 8 September at 14:00 — from the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, immediately following lunch. Please bring all your luggage with you on Tuesday morning when arriving at the Centre.
  • Luggage storage — a secure dedicated storage space will be provided at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre to hold your luggage until afternoon departure.
  • Departure point (to Koné) — Tjibaou Cultural Centre.
  • Return from Koné (10 September) — return transfer with direct drop-off at conference partner hotels.

Southern Province (10 September)

  • Information and logistics — several study itineraries planned; participants divided into groups.
  • Transport — coach / bus.
  • Departure and return point — Tjibaou Cultural Centre.

Dress code

  • Working sessions (all venues) — “Island Formal” or smart casual attire. Bring a light jacket, cardigan or shawl for air-conditioned conference rooms.
  • Field excursions — casual wear, comfortable closed walking shoes, light jacket, sun hat, sunscreen and umbrella.

5. Accommodation

For the conference, 14 partner hotels and accommodation providers — located in Nouméa and Koné — are offering preferential rates to delegates.

View the full list of hotels and their contact details →

6. Practical information

Currency and payments

  • Local currency — Pacific Franc (XPF / F.CFP). Fixed exchange rate: 1 EUR = 119.33 XPF.
  • Credit cards — Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Nouméa. Carry local cash (withdrawable from airport ATMs or banks) when travelling to rural areas (Brousse) or the outer islands.
  • Tipping — tipping is not customary in New Caledonia.

Phone and data

New Caledonia is generally excluded from standard international and European roaming packages.

  • eSIM / local SIM card (Helia – OPT-NC) — can be ordered online or purchased at the airport; packages from 15 GB or 30 GB starting at 3,000 XPF. helia.nc ↗
  • Pocket Wi-Fi device — available for rental at the airport from 1,190 XPF per day.

Weather and climate in September

September is the dry season, known locally as the “cool season”, and offers very pleasant weather.

  • Temperatures — from 18°C (64°F) at night to 24–26°C (75–79°F) during the day.
  • Advice — days are generally sunny and ideal for outdoor activities. Bring a light sweater or jacket for cooler evenings and air-conditioned rooms, plus a compact umbrella in case of unexpected showers.

Other useful information

  • Power sockets — type C and F plugs (European standard, 220V, 50Hz). A plug adapter may be required.
  • Time zone — UTC+11 all year round (no daylight saving time).
  • International dialling code — +687
  • Internet TLD — .nc

7. Health and safety

Emergency numbers

  • 15 SAMU / medical emergencies
  • 17 Police
  • 18 Fire brigade
  • 16 Maritime rescue (MRCC)
  • 112 European emergency number

Health tips

No mandatory vaccinations are required. However, ensuring routine vaccinations are up to date before travel is recommended.

  • Médipôle de Koutio (main public hospital) — 110 Bd Joseph Wamytan, Dumbéa · Tel. +687 20 80 00
  • Clinique Kuindo-Magnin (private clinic) — 11 rue de la Synergie, Nouville, Nouméa · Tel. +687 24 62 00
  • Duty pharmacies — list of on-duty pharmacies ↗
  • Mosquito protection — New Caledonia is free of malaria. Dengue fever risk is low during winter; insect repellent is nevertheless advised in the evenings and during field excursions.
  • Food and water — tap water is safe to drink in Nouméa. Be aware of ciguatera (“fish poisoning”) only when consuming wild reef fish caught outside commercial markets.
  • Swimming safety — swimming in Nouméa is strictly regulated. Only swim within designated, netted and lifeguarded zones (for example the shark-barrier nets at Baie des Citrons and Château Royal) and strictly comply with safety flags.

Diplomatic representations

In the absence of a direct consular representation in New Caledonia, please contact the conference organising team or the High Commission of the Republic for assistance in reaching your accredited embassy. State services and regional diplomatic contacts ↗

8. Local recommendations

Ideas for enjoying Nouméa after conference sessions:

  • Shopping and fresh produce — Moselle Market, located downtown near the harbour, open mornings. Major supermarkets are conveniently located near the hotel areas of Anse Vata and Baie des Citrons.
  • Dining — a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and snack bars line Baie des Citrons and Anse Vata.
  • Tourism information — an information desk will be available at the conference venue to provide recommendations and tourism guidance for exploring New Caledonia.