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>> Isle of Pine of The New Coledonia
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Isle of Pine of The New Coledonia
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Isle of Pines
Eighty kilometres south-east of Noumea lies the enchanting Isle of Pines (14 km wide, 18 km long) a place where time seems to stand still in an idillyc setting of white beaches under swaying palms and soaring Araucaria pines.
" Kunié ", as it is still called by the inhabitants, is a beautiful under water as it is on land and a favourite spot for divers. But this small piece of paradise also bears witness to a stormy and painful past : people convicted for stealing.
To make the most of the Isle of Pines' diversity, ideally you'll need to stay at least two or three days to combine minibus excursions organised by gîtes and hotels, with bicycle rides, walks or car rental trips. Excursions by canoe, glass-bottom boat, yacht, as well as magnificent underwater dives are also available.
Air Calédonie offers daily scheduled 20 minute flights from Magenta Airport in Nouméa to the Isle of Pines. The domestic airline and local travel agencies supply packages including air transport + transfers + accommodation + meals + tour of the island, however these services can be booked separately. There is also a catamaran service between Nouméa and the Isle of Pines (average crossing time: 2 1/2 hours).
Sightseeing from Vao (in the south-east of the island):
-Upi Bay and Saint-Joseph Beach: Upi Bay & Saint-Joseph beach almost enclosed by the Oro peninsula, are dotted with coral heads and teem with fish. Excursions in traditional Melanesian outrigger canoes start from St Joseph’s beach at Vao.
-Oro Bay : an exceptional place: reached by sea on foot along a small narrow path and truly out of this world, with two superb beaches of incredibly fine white sand, crystal water and a natural swimming pool carved out of the coral limestone.
You can taste delicious lobsters at the small beach front Kou-gny restaurant, or a traditional "Bougna" at "Régis" restaurant located few hundred metres away.
-Queen Hortense Cave: Ouatchia " Queen-Hortense " cave is said to be the place where the Queen of Kunie hid before abdicating in 1883. Situated in Touété village deep in a wood crossed by a small creek, it has a wide and beautiful entrance.
-Oumagne Cave: Situated 10 km north of Vao, is another limestone cave with a beautiful entrance lined by tree ferns.
Sightseeing near Kuto (in the south west of the island):
-Kuto and Kanumera Bays: Linked by a narrow isthmus, with long beaches of very fine white sand.
-N'Ga Peak: (262 m high) - It takes about one hour to reach the top, from where you will get an amazing view over the whole island.
-The ruins of the Convict Prison: located at Ouro, which numbered over 2000 deported prisoners in the 1870s. A path leads to the cemetery, restored in 1968, and a pyramidal monument in memory of those who died in exile.
-Excursions at sea (Isle of Pines): Sailing boat charter from Kuto Bay. (with skipper).
-Diving excursions from Ouaméo Bay.
-Tour in Melanesian outrigger canoes in the Upi Bay.
-Tour on board a Glass Bottom Boat
Suggestions/recommendations (Isle of Pines):
-Day excursion to Oro.: Recommended : Day trip including outrigger visit of the Upi bay, a walk across a coconut grove (no major difficulties but a bit long for children), a swim at the Oro "natural swimming pool", Bougna tasting at Régis restaurant or sea food menu at Kou-gny restaurant on Oro beach in beautiful surroundings. It is advisable to take beach sandals or shoes, hat, snorkeling equipment and Pacific Francs for payment of services provided.
-Island tour in minibus, horse trekking, and 4WD excursions
-Sailboat excursions departing from Kuto bay : Island tour and visit of the neighbouring islets. Sailboat for rent over a day or more.
-Beautiful scuba dives from the Ouaméo bay
-Picnic on the islets…
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