The Islands of New Caledonia

From Ouvéa to the Isle of Pines, passing through Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands bordering the Mainland, Grande Terre to the East are yet more gems to discover. From the blue hole of Hanawa at Ouvéa to the Warrior’s Leap at Wakone on Maré, via the Jokin Cliffs at Lifou or the Oro Bay on the Isle of Pines, let yourself be amazed!

While the Isle of Pines was first reached by James Cook in 1774, during his second voyage towards New Zealand, the ‘discovery’ of the four islands which make up the Loyalty Islands was not actually his work. The first acknowledgement of these islands in fact dates from 1803 when William Raven, captain of the Britannia, gave the name of his ship to Maré.

Those we now call the Loyalty Islands did ‘play hard to get’ before unveiling their charms to the world. And what charms!

Each island has its own character…
On Ouvéa, the combined beauty of the sky, the lagoon and the flora have earned it the title of the closest island to paradise. This is a well-deserved title for the island which offers a fabulous beach of white sand stretching for almost 25 km, majestic coconut plantations and extraordinary diving sites, especially around the Pléïades Reef. At the Mouli Bridge, connecting Lékiny to the main island, you can see the spectacle of turtles and eagle rays that move through the channel daily, to the great delight of tourists.

Lifou is characterised by its variety of scenery, combining immaculate beaches, steep cliffs, deep forests and impressive caves. The largest of the Loyalty Islands is probably the one that offers the greatest contrast, whilst also catering perfectly for tourists who come to visit.

As for Maré, the intense, wild beauty of its scenery, and the deep connection that the Mareans have with nature, have given this island a very personal identity. The island will leave a lasting impression on those who take the time to discover it.

The other closest island to paradise!
Further south, the Isle of Pines is, without question, Ouvéa’s greatest rival for the title of the closest island to paradise! The Oro, Kuto and Kanumera Bays offer an astonishing spectacle of beauty and harmony. As for vestiges of the penal colony, they testify, in a moving way, to a bygone age.

A heavenly climate
The islands of New Caledonia enjoy an extremely pleasant climate, with average temperatures between 22°C on Maré and 24°C on Ouvéa, with seasonal variations of no more than 6°C. In addition to which, since there are no mountains to pull in and retain the clouds, there is very little rain. So the weather is particularly favourable for tourism and leisure!

Discover the must-sees of the Islands
Oumagne Grotto – the queen of caves!
The Oumagne Grotto, better known as the Cave of Queen Hortense, is located in the north of Kunié (Isle of Pines), not far from the aerodrome. A site you must not miss!

Queen Hortense’s cave is far from a unique occurrence on the Isle of Pines. A great many caves, of varying degrees of accessibility, fill the island. The most famous has always been the one belonging to the ‘queen’, in the Touété area.

The vanilla of Lifou
It’s no secret that the quality of Caledonian vanilla is well on the way to earning global recognition. Though vanilla production is now organized over a large portion of the territory, it was in Lifou that it all started. On the island you can visit several vanilla plantations open to the public, in Mu, Jozip, Mucaweng or Traput.

New Caledonia’s sun and rainfall level appear to offer a particularly good combination to provide local vanilla growers with excellent growth conditions.

Although English missionary Macfarlane gave a few Madagascan vanilla plants to one of the island’s clans as early as 1860, it was not until the 1980s-90s that the beautiful orchid truly began to be exploited. Until then, though abundant in wooded undergrowth, its value was considered purely ornamental.

The natural aquarium
The natural aquarium and Pethoen cave – Maré island is brimming with natural curiosities that you can discover in one day if you have access to a car, or are willing to pedal hard enough on a rented bicycle!

Kuto Bay – a great start to your visit
The Isle of Pines is famous worldwide for its breathtakingly beautiful bays. If you travel to the island aboard the Betico hi-speed ferry from Nouméa, Kuto Bay will be your first bewitching experience of the island’s bays.

Kuto Bay and Kanumera Bay are separated by just a thin strip of land and offers a stunning fine white sand beach.