As of this year – NO refilling of gas bottles is available in New Caledonia. SODIGAS used to refill cruiser’s bottles, but that is now against the law. Only butane is available.

You can pay a refundable deposit on a butane tank at any petrol station. You will need a connecting hose. For the common screw-on tank you can purchase a “Lyre Souple de raccordement (Haute pression)” from Quincaillerie Caledonnienne Hardware which can be connected to your gas system. If you need a longer hose these are also from Quincaillerie Caledonnienne or most service stations. You will also need whatever plumbing fittings are necessary to connect to your boat’s gas system.

It is strictly against the law to drain the liquid butane from the local tank to your cruising tanks. Note that butane, being lighter than air, makes this process safer, should you chose to do this anyway.

Jeffrey M Stander

SV Beatrix