|
|
The Loyalty Islands are quite different from the other islands of New Caledonia with more Polynesian influence than Melanesian. This makes little difference to holiday-makers except being more autonomous, the islands have been less developed for tourism. For some, this is the main attraction for visiting: to experience an untouched slice of paradise. One of the islands, Ouvea, is nicknamed the "Island closest to Paradise" after a Japanese novel, but ironically it is this that attracts Japanese tourists to visit the island as their New Caledonia experience. Only a handful of holiday-makers board the daily plane to either Lifou or Mare, the most appealing of the five islands.
Lifou Island
The administration centre of the Loyalty Islands is Lifou and this makes it the most advanced with a supermarket, bank and even a small marina (although only a handful of boats are moored here). Lifou is an uplifted limestone island with a craggy coastline broken by amazingly white sand beaches and stunning turquoise lagoons. Tourists are kept to the west coast, with most accommodation around the town of We with its picturesque sweeping beach. Although car hire is available, most accommodations provide guided sightseeing tours to make sure guests don't get lost or wander into villages they are not meant to visit.
|
|
|
|
Drehu Village Resort, We, Lifou, Loyalty Islands
Euro € 123 - 220 per couple
|
|
|
Drehu Resort is the most upmarket accommodation on Lifou with 28 boutique style bungalows directly fronting a gorgeous white sandy beach at We. With a relaxing swimming pool, fine dining restaurant and snorkelling in the lagoon, Drehu is a great choice for a secluded beach holiday.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oasis Kiamu Hotel, Lifou, Loyalty Islands
Euro € 91 - 105 per couple
|
|
|
Oasis Kiamu Hotel is a two star budget hotel with 15 rooms in a landscaped plantation backed by limestone cliffs and located across the road from a small pretty white sand cove beach. With a swimming pool and good restaurant, this makes an excellent choice for those travelling on a budget but seeking home comforts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chez Ihage Huts, We, Lifou, Loyalty Islands
Euro € 18 - 39 per couple
|
|
|
Chez Ihage is collection of budget tribal huts in the village of Luecila facing a beautiful lagoon – it’s less than a minute walk to the long sweeping sandy beach of We. This is a great option for backpackers and budget travellers looking to enjoy cultural interaction as well as having easy access to the beach and snorkelling lagoon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mare Island
Mare is a even more relaxed than Lifou and here most tribal villages welcome tourists openly. The island is similar to Lifou with beautiful beaches, most notably along the south coast of the island where a stunning coastal walk is a must-do. There are other beautiful coastal walks around Mare best accompanied with a guide.
|
|
|
|
Nengone Village Resort, Mare, Loyalty Islands
Euro € 123 - 229 per couple
|
|
|
Nengone Resort is a small boutique resort fronting a secluded white sandy beach on the south coast of Mare. With 18 traditional bungalows with stylish interiors, a swimming pool and good restaurant, Nengone makes the perfect base for exploring the wonderful beaches and sights of Mare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
back to the top
|
|
|
|
|
