Using a mobile phone in New Caledonia

Hi there, I’ll be spending a good month in New Caledonia, plus Maré, Lifou, Ouvéa, and the Isle of Pines, and I absolutely need to be reachable and make local and international calls. What’s the cheapest way to use a mobile phone? Thanks for your tips! Best regards, :-)

Hello

I just got back from two months in New Caledonia, and I think I can give you some advice since I had the same questions.

When it comes to mobile phones in New Caledonia, it’s super easy: if you bring your French phone (just make sure it’s unlocked for all carriers—ask your provider for the "unlock code"), you can buy a prepaid SIM card there (like Nomad in France). It’s pretty cheap and lets you call and reach everyone. It initially costs 6000 XPF (50 €), with 3000 XPF of credit included. After that, you can buy top-ups for the same price (roughly 3000 XPF = 24 € = 45 minutes of calls). The cheapest way to call is to buy an IZI card, which lets you call from any payphone or landline for next to nothing (roughly 1000 XPF = 8 € = 3 hours of calls to landlines).

Hope this helps—have a great trip to New Caledonia!

Thanks for the tips! 😇 ... wasn’t the return too tough after those 2 months? 😕

You're welcome!

Yeah, readjusting when I got back was pretty tough—jet lag, temperatures, daily routine... So, to relive it all, I'm heading back for a whole month now! ;o) You'll see, it's paradise there every single day...

Paradise, take two!

I already know New Caledonia well since I stayed there for three months in 1991. I’m actually taking this opportunity to ask you if tourism in Ouvéa is easier now than it was back then, or if it’s better to focus on Maré or Lifou? I don’t know the Loyalty Islands yet, only the Isle of Pines, which also gave me a taste of Paradise! @+

Sorry, I haven’t been to the Loyalty Islands, but from what I’ve heard, no issues on-site in Ouvéa (are you referring to the "events"?). Cheers!

I just got back from 3 weeks in NEW CALEDONIA.

No issues on OUVÉA—the Mouli beach is gorgeous.

TATATOU

Small details: The IZI card can be used from a mobile phone at exactly the same cost. And to call Europe, use the dialing code 19 33 instead of 00 33 (for France), with or without an IZI card, from a mobile or landline... It's cheaper. Be careful, mobile coverage isn't available everywhere outside Nouméa. The prepaid mobile card is called the "carte liberté." SMS between New Caledonia and France works fine. Uh... 3000 XPF for 45 minutes? I'd have said much less time than that, but I don't remember exactly. Cheers, Freebulle, in Lifou for over a year.

Hi there,

Once you're in New Caledonia, drop me a message to say hi! I've been living in Nouméa for over 30 years.

See you soon

Thanks for all these details—they’ll be really helpful!

Hi Cindy, Thanks for your nice message. I’ve postponed my trip to November/December 2007 and I’ll definitely get in touch with you. See you soon!

Is it easy to retire in New Caledonia with around 800 € a month? Is it better to bring everything or buy things locally? How much should I budget for a small house on the beach with basic comfort? What’s the best place to live there? Thanks for your reply! If you have an MSN address, it’d be great to chat.

Hi, I'm heading to New Caledonia in 3 weeks for a 3-month stay. I'd like to know if the French Orange network works on Ouvéa Island? Thanks for the answer! Nikolas

Hi,

As soon as you're in New Caledonia, send me a quick message. I've been living in Nouméa for over 30 years.

See you soon!

Hi there, if your Orange network works elsewhere in New Caledonia, I think it should work in Ouvéa too, since it’s covered by the same network as the rest of the territory.

Have a great trip! :D

Lucie

Small clarifications: The IZI card can be used from a mobile phone at exactly the same cost. And to call Europe, use the dialing code 19 33 instead of 00 33 (for France), with or without an IZI card, from a mobile or landline... It's cheaper. Be careful, mobile coverage isn't available everywhere outside Nouméa. The prepaid mobile card is called the "carte liberté." SMS between New Caledonia and France works. Uh... 3000 XPF for 45 minutes? I'd have said it lasts much less than that, but I don't remember exactly. Cheers, Freebulle, in Lifou for over a year.

Hello,

I'm desperately looking for a way to contact my boyfriend in New Caledonia. I came across your message but didn't understand what you said :\ Could you help me? Thanks

Wouldn't it be simpler with SKYPE?

Hi,

To compare the different plans/rates in New Caledonia: https://mobiplus.nc/quel-forfait-de-telephone-choisir-pour-la-nouvelle-caledonie-en-2024/