Laze on a beach in Kuto and Kanumera Bay
Kanumera Bay, its intense blue waters and columnar pines.
Francis - stock.adobe.com
A strip of land a few hundred meters in length and, on either side, two bays with perfectly defined curves with, as a bonus, sumptuous beaches of white sand as fine as talc, shaded by foliage of column pines and coconut palms ...
When you discover this wonder for the first time, you have only one desire: never to leave again.
The two beaches, bathed by waters of an intense turquoise blue, invite to swimming, kayaking or snorkeling.
The road along the two bays is framed by a very photogenic row of
bugny
, large gnarled trees that form a tunnel.
Read also: Grande Terre, Loyalty Islands, Isle of Pines… New Caledonia Travel Guide
Explore the cave of Queen Hortense
The cave is in the middle of the island.
Jean-Bernard Carillet
It is a huge cave carved into a limestone cliff in the middle of the island.
A path crosses a lush forest made up of giant ferns and tropical trees, to the entrance, at the foot of the cliff.
Why this name?
Queen Hortense, wife of a local chief, would have taken refuge in this cave for several months in 1855 to escape a conflict between the tribes of the island.
The cave features impressive stalactites and stalagmites garnished with sparkling quartz, partially illuminated by an opening in the ceiling.
Mysterious atmosphere guaranteed!
Bathing in the Oro natural pool
This masterpiece of nature can be found in the northeast of the island.
Zarnell - stock.adobe.com
To the north-east of the Isle of Pines, imagine a vast body of crystal-clear water framed by coral reefs and bordered by elegant column pines.
We can't resist the temptation to splash around in this natural basin, sheltered from waves and currents.
Dozens of multicolored fish species abound a few meters deep.
You can also spread your towel on a thin strip of sand.
Access to this masterpiece of nature is a delicious little adventure: after boarding a traditional canoe from the Isle of Pines (wooden hull, triangular sail and outrigger), we go up the splendid
bay of Upi
for an hour and a half.
Then, a path cuts through the forest and joins a small channel which leads to the natural swimming pool.
Peckish ?
All you need to do is book a meal at the
Kô-Ngé-Âa-Ké restaurant
, a hut that offers excellent fresh lobsters, to be enjoyed with your feet in the sand, facing the ocean, or at the restaurant of the
Le Méridien hotel
( www.marriott.fr) 5 minutes walk.
P
ic-screw on a idyllic island
An experience not to be missed on the Isle of Pines: access to paradisiacal islets during an excursion on the lagoon.
To the south of the island, there are two, which correspond in every way to the image of a tropical Eden:
Brosse islet
, uninhabited, surrounded by a superb beach of dazzling white sand, fringed with columnar pines, and
Moro islet
, another place of the same caliber.
They are surrounded by coral reefs around which are scattered a variegated fauna - ideal for swimming.
These excursions are accompanied by a picnic, in the form of a barbecue.
You can choose from: grilled fish (freshly caught) or lobster, which can be eaten in a good way, in the shade of the trees or with your feet in the water.
During the outing, several snorkeling stops are planned near Upi Bay.
Encounters (almost) guaranteed with stingrays, manta rays and turtles.
Dive in the middle of a prolific marine fauna
A giant gorgon.
photos-sous-lo - stock.adobe.com
Scuba diving is in the spotlight on the Isle of Pines, with sites suitable for beginners as well as experienced.
The huge lagoon and the outer reefs offer great diversity.
Among the highlights: the spectacular architecture of the coral reefs, declined in faults, caves, canyons and passes, fantastic sea fans, blooming corals, and the guarantee of observing reef and pelagic species (including several species of sharks) in clear, warm water.
We
fell in love with the Gié pass
, suitable for observing schools of jacks and barracudas, gray sharks and white-tip sharks.
Highlight of the show: the electric files, strange mollusks hidden in the coral, which emit lightning flashes.
The island has only one dive center, the
Kunié Scuba Center
(www.kuniedive.com), which is very well run.
Climb to the N'Ga peak
View from the N'ga peak, the highest point on the Isle of Pines.
Francis - stock.adobe.com
The Isle of Pines is not quite flat.
From
Kuto Bay
, a path leads to the N'Ga peak (262 m), the highest point on the island.
No need for a guide, the path is well marked and there is no risk of getting lost.
Allow between 45 and 60 minutes to reach the summit, without great difficulty, despite the absence of shade.
At the top, the 360 ° panorama of the island and a thousand shades of blue of the lagoon is breathtaking.
Practical notebook
Accommodation on the Isle of Pines
Ouré Lodge
(ourelodge.nc).
A haven of peace, facing the bay of Kanumera.
The 30 wooden bungalows are scattered around a coconut grove that opens directly onto the beach.
Double bungalow from € 180.
Nataiwatch Gîte
(nataiwatch.com).
Small complex ideally located, in a forest with direct access to Kanumera beach.
The bungalows are simple but well designed.
Double with breakfast from 100 €.
Le Méridien
(marriott.fr).
The top-of-the-range address on the island, a stone's throw from Oro Bay.
Breathtaking setting.
Our preference: the bungalows on the edge of the channel.
Double bungalow from € 210.