Cyclone season is from November to April. May to August is considered high season as tropical heat dips to cool season and passed cyclone season. I went during last week of April as it coincide with a public holiday, my passport is approaching the 6 months mark and needed to be renewed, flights on sale and I thought it was close enough to May. There were some rainy days, but manageable except one of the days when I was in Ile des Pins. It rained pretty much the whole day. 

Currency for New Caledonia is Pacific Franc (CFP) or XPF. It is pegged to euros at a fixed exchange rate of 100 XPF = €0.838 euros. Duty free on Air Calin is charged in euro. 

Public buses route can be planned using the bus website - https://itineraires.taneo.nc/en/

The single trip Taneo ticket (300 XPF) is literally single trip, no transfer. A day trip ticket (900 XPF) is only activated when you tapped on the bus, so you can pre-buy some (if you need) when you come across a ticket vending machine. I've only seen ticket vending machine at Place Moselle and Desmazures. So if you are staying near one of those smaller stops and needed a day pass (and dont have any), you will have to pay for a single trip to town center and get one. Single trip can be bought from bus driver. Bus ticket fare is at a flat rate. 

Bus ticket is tap on and tap off. There are electronic sign board in the bus to indicate the next station so you would know when to press the bell to get off. 

New Caledonia is not a cheap destination, but cost for food can be reduced by getting food from supermarket instead of eating out. Casino Supermarket that I went to (Casino Port Plaisance) stocks more French food versus the other supermarket in the neighbourhood that I went to (Auchan) but both sells hot food too. 

I see ATMs in Noumea and there's one in Vao in Ile des Pins but I didn't use any. I exchanged some XPF prior to travelling and used cash. 

On checking in to my flight, one of the questions asked was if I had booked my accommodations. I was told that I might be asked that on arrival in Noumea. 

I book an airport shuttle on arrival as public buses have stopped running by the time I arrived, but there are public buses to and fro the airport, however, they are very infrequent service. I used Arc en Ciel. For some reason, my transactions using mastercard were rejected. I managed to book using a visa card. I put in the address of the airbnb accommodation that I booked and was pleasantly surprised that they sent me right to the gate!

There are 2 airports in Noumea. The international airport, Tontouta Airport and domestic airport, Magenta Airport. Magenta Airport is closer to town and the 2 airports are not near to each other. Public bus service can get to both airports. Airport shuttle cost 2,500 XPF one way versus 300 XPF for public bus (if you don't need a transfer).

I contemplated to get a phone card (mobilis) but ended up didn't. If you don't have a phone card and needed data for any reason, there is free wifi at Place des Cocotiers.

Camping sites are cheapest but you'll have to bring your own tent. I stayed in a gite - a small, very modest hotel and booked their safari tent lodging. 

If you own a snorkelling set, bring along so you don't have to hire one. If you are going to Ile des Pins, pack along reef shoes if you have one. 

 

I stayed in airbnb in Noumea so I tried to boil water for consumption. I had tap water when I was in Ile des Pins as I booked a safari tent. According to Lonely Planet, published Dec 2016, water is safe to drink throughout New Caledonia except on Ouvéa.

I can't speak French but most of the locals speak English. I tried to at least learn to say, "Bonjour, parlez-vous anglais?" and hope for the best.