If you are planning a visit to New Caledonia and want to know what a private guided tour really costs in 2026, this guide breaks down every Fernando Tourisme tour, what is included, and how the pricing differs for cruise ship passengers and hotel guests. All prices are in XPF (also called CFP franc, the official currency of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna).
The short answer on Fernando Tourisme prices
Fernando Tourisme private tours in Noumea and New Caledonia range from XPF15,000 per passenger for a half day cruise shore excursion up to XPF40,000 per adult per day for a multi-day exclusive tour through the North Province to Hienghène. Most cruise passengers spend between XPF15,000 and XPF26,000 per person for a full Noumea day. Hotel guests on extended stays typically pay between XPF18,000 and XPF30,000 per adult for a full day tour of Noumea and surrounds or the South Province.
Children under five travel free on every Fernando tour. Children aged five to sixteen pay a reduced rate on the longer hotel guest tours.
Full Fernando Tourisme tour pricing table for 2026
| Tour code | Tour name | Duration | Adult price | Child 5 to 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FT01 | Noumea highlights for cruise morning arrivals | 5.5 to 6 hours | XPF15,000 | Same as adult, under 5 free |
| FT07 | Blue River Park with Cagou bird and Kauri trees | 6 hours | XPF21,000 | Same as adult, under 5 free |
| FT08 | Fort Téremba and La Foa lunch | 7 hours | XPF26,000 | Same as adult, under 5 free |
| FTE01 | Noumea and surrounds full day private tour | Full day, 8 hours | XPF18,000 | XPF11,000 |
| FTE02 | South Province south of Noumea (Mont Dore, Yaté) | Full day, 8 hours | XPF25,000 | XPF18,000 |
| FTE03 | South Province north of Noumea (La Foa, Sarraméa) | Full day, 8 hours | XPF30,000 | XPF18,000 |
| FTE04 | North Province to Hienghène exclusive | Minimum 2 days | XPF40,000 per day | XPF33,000 per day |
The full Fernando Tourisme tours catalogue /a> has detailed itineraries and booking forms for each tour.
What is included in a Fernando tour price
Every Fernando Tourisme tour price includes the air conditioned Mercedes minibus, an experienced English speaking guide (usually Fernando Belbong himself or his trusted colleague George), pickup and drop off at the City Terminal for cruise passengers or at your hotel for resort guests, bottled water on board, fresh flower garlands for cruise welcomes, and entry fees to the major attractions visited on the route.
Specifically, the Blue River Provincial Park tour (FT07) includes the park entry fee and the shuttle bus inside the park. The Fort Téremba and La Foa tour (FT08) includes the fort entry fee and a sit down lunch at the famous Banu hat hotel in La Foa.
Lunch is included only on the FT08 Fort Téremba tour. On most other tours, lunch is at the customer’s own expense at a local cafe or restaurant chosen by the group. Extended tours that include a traditional Melanesian bougna tasting (a feast of chicken or fish steamed in banana leaves over hot stones) carry that cost in the listed tour price.
How cruise ship and hotel guest pricing differs
Cruise ship passengers pay a flat per passenger rate on the FT-series tours (FT01, FT07, FT08) because Fernando knows the cruise day is time-boxed by ship departure. These tours pick up at the City Terminal between 8.30am and 9am and return to the terminal by 3pm at the latest, in plenty of time to board before evening sailing.
Hotel guests on extended stays book the FTE-series tours which use a tiered adult and child pricing structure. The FTE tours run from 9am hotel pickup until 4pm or 5pm return, giving you time to take in the deep south of New Caledonia, the central plateau or the Pacific east coast at a relaxed pace.
If you are a cruise passenger who wants a private exclusive tour of Noumea and surrounds (FTE01) for just your party, Fernando can arrange it subject to availability and the cruise schedule. Private tours need to be booked as early as possible because Fernando personally escorts them and his calendar fills quickly during cruise season.
Group discounts and private tour minimums
Fernando Tourisme offers a discount on group bookings of ten or more passengers when one person pays for the whole group either in cash or with one credit card. Otherwise tour prices are not negotiable, and they are clearly listed on each tour page.
The minimum party size for a private or exclusive tour is two passengers. Private tours sit at a higher per passenger rate than the standard group rates because the whole minibus and the guide are dedicated to your party for the day.
Payment methods and credit card security
Every Fernando booking is secured by submitting credit card details on the secure booking form on the website. No funds are deducted from your credit card before you arrive. Full payment is collected on the day of the tour, either by credit card with a small surcharge or in XPF local currency.
If your cruise ship is diverted from Noumea for any reason outside your control, Fernando does not charge your card and the card details are destroyed. This is standard practice in cruise port tourism and matches the cancellation cover most cruise lines provide for shore excursions booked direct.
New Caledonia is a French territory and Australian, US or New Zealand dollars are not accepted as direct payment by local operators. ATMs at the City Terminal (look for the Casino sign across the road) dispense XPF instantly on most international cards.
When to book to lock in a Fernando tour
For cruise ship arrivals, book as soon as your cruise itinerary is confirmed. Fernando handles many ships per cruise season and his calendar fills out months in advance for peak periods (Australian school holidays, Christmas and New Year, July to September).
For hotel guests, book at least four weeks before your arrival in Noumea. The longer multi day North Province to Hienghène exclusive tour (FTE04) needs even more lead time because Fernando blocks two consecutive days for it and coordinates accommodation along the route.
Converting XPF to your currency
The CFP franc is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate (XPF1,000 is approximately EUR8.38). At mid 2026 exchange rates an XPF15,000 cruise tour is roughly AUD200, USD135, NZD220 or EUR125. An XPF40,000 per day exclusive tour works out to about AUD535, USD360 or NZD590. Your final cost depends on the credit card exchange rate on the day of charging.
Common questions about Fernando Tourisme pricing
Are Fernando tour prices negotiable?
No. Tour prices are clearly listed on the website and do not vary by negotiation. Group discounts apply only when ten or more passengers pay together.
Do I need to tip the guide?
Tipping is not expected in New Caledonia in the way it is in the United States. Most cruise passengers from Australia, New Zealand and the UK do not tip. Some American visitors leave a small tip if the tour exceeded their expectations. It is appreciated but never required.
What happens if it rains on the day of the tour?
Fernando runs tours in light rain because much of the scenery looks beautiful through a fresh shower. If a cyclone or heavy weather makes the tour unsafe Fernando reschedules at no extra cost or cancels and refunds in full.
Is there a single passenger surcharge?
For cruise group tours the per passenger price applies whether you book alone or with others. For private tours the minimum is two passengers so a solo private tour booker pays the rate for two.
Book a Fernando tour
Browse the full tours catalogue or jump straight to the booking form. Email [email protected] or call +687 96 21 99 if you have a custom itinerary in mind. Fernando earns the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence four years running with a 96 to 97 percent approval rating from visitors around the world, so you book direct with confidence.