Day 1: Arrive Noumea
Welcome to Noumea, a culturally diverse cosmopolitan capital city that offers a range of different attractions for everyone to enjoy. Settle into your hotel before heading out to explore Port Moselle Bay and the local municipal markets. From fresh fruits and delicious seafood to local crafts and perfect souvenirs, all the colours and flavours of New Caledonia await you here. Continue your discovery of the classic colonial architecture where you will find sophisticated French boutiques mixed with the unique Kanak culture. This evening walk along the beautiful promenade in Anse Vata Bay and find a place to sit back, enjoy an aperitif and soak in the live music.
Day 2: Noumea to Ouvéa
Begin the morning with an early flight to the island of Ouvéa. This stunning island has earned its title as the closest place to paradise for its fabulous white sand beaches, picture-perfect landscapes and impeccably preserved atolls. Find yourself a spot, lay down your beach towel and enjoy the warm Pacific sun as you soak up the amazing surrounds. Bring a snorkel and spend your time discovering the remarkable creatures that live below the water’s surface at Pléïades Reef and Mouli Bridge where turtles and eagle rays are often a daily sighting.
Day 3: A Day in Ouvéa
A trip to Ouvéa is not complete without visiting the mythical Hanawa Blue Hole and the turtle hole. Here you will discover many colourful fish that cross through the cracks in the corals, creating a unique makeshift giant aquarium. Whilst it is extremely tempting to jump in and explore, getting out is not quite as easy as jumping in. You will also have the opportunity to take a guided visit to the interesting lemon shark nursery, a marine spot where this species of sharks has taken on habits of reproduction. For those wanting to spend a day visiting some of the best diving spots in the archipelago of islands, sail from the island of Ouvéa to Pleiades du Nord and then to Beautemps-Beaupré for an extraordinary experience.
Day 4: Ouvéa to Lifou
This morning you will continue your island-hopping experience with a flight to the island of Lifou. The largest of the Loyalty Islands, Lifou offers a variety of scenery from immaculate beaches, to steep cliffs, deep forests and impressive caves. Formed from raised coral covered in dense scrubland, this island is an adventurer’s paradise with endless diving and hiking opportunities. With the perfect amount of sun and rainfall, Lifou has become globally known for its vanilla product. This afternoon visit a vanilla planation to learn more.
Day 5: A Day in Lifou
Spend the morning sinking your feet into the warm white sand of Luengoni beach, however this phenomenal spot has many hidden gems to offer. Continue with a guide to discover the beautiful sinkholes hidden behind lush vegetation as well as underwater caves and grottos where the water turns from turquoise to cobalt. Prepare for a few hours of walking, and make sure to bring your snorkelling gear. This afternoon you can learn more about the formation of this island with a visit to the Jokin Cliffs, with sections towering over 60 meters above the water. From here admire the extensive coastline, as well as the burial chambers of the tribe’s bygone leaders.
Day 6: Lifou to Maré
Another inter-island flight this morning will bring you to the magnificent island of Maré. With unspoilt landscapes, wild beauty and unique scenery your experience here will be completely contrasted to the experiences thus far. Begin your visit with a trip to the La Monique Monument at Tadine Bay and pay homage to the ships victims that disappeared in 1953. Only a few kilometers away is the not to be missed Natural Aquarium, a natural swimming pool carved out of coral with crystal clear water. A little further on you can also visit the Pethoen cave, hidden in the tropical forest. Its vault is covered with impressive stalagtites. If time permits, take a swim at Yejele Beach, perfect for snorkelling before settling in for the evening.
Day 7: A Day in Maré
This morning head towards La Roche to witness the legendary tale of the Warrior’s Leap. The story goes that when cornered by many enemies, this warrior leapt across the abyss measuring 7 meters in width, 30 meters above sea level. Not recommended for the inexperienced, but definitely a sight to behold. Continue onto the Shabadran Terraces, a little effort to each however undeniably worth it. Embark on a 2.5hour hike offering stunning viewpoints over the coral plateaus and the island’s cliffs until you reach this unique white sand beach bordered by tall coconut palms. Make sure to pack snacks as you’ll want to spend some time relaxing before starting on the 2.5hour hike back.
Day 8: Maré to Isle of Pines
Your final early start today as you make your way to the majestic Isle of Pines. Let the crystal clear, pristine turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches and spectacular pine trees welcome you to this complete island paradise. Spend the day soaking in the incredible vistas, abundant natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes as you relax on one of the many unspoiled beaches. Head out exploring starting with the popular Kuto Bay and the nearby Kanumera Bay, connected by a thin strip of land making it both an iconic sight and a popular snorkelling spot.
Day 9: A Day in Isle of Pines
Get ready to spend another day in paradise. Begin the morning at the spectacular Upi Bay, known for the huge rocks which appear to be simply balancing on the water’s surface like gigantic floating buoys. Hop on a traditional outrigger sailing boat to discover the stunning lagoon and the bays that make up the Isle of Pines. End your cruise at Oro Bay, a natural aquarium which offers a majestic setting of rare magnificence. Swim in a secluded pool surrounded by tall pine trees with thousands of multi-coloured fish and admire the fragile corals that create this legendary place.
Day 10: Isle of Pines to Noumea
With minimal French influence on this island, it is the perfect place to learn more about the local culture. Start with a visit to the small town of Voa, admire the pretty Mission Church and pay respect to the Statue de St Maurice commemorating the arrival of the first missionaries. Continue with a visit to the quirky Oumagne Grotto, better known as the Cave of Queen Hortense, as you walk through the limestone pipe maze to discover the luxurious and tropical flora of this mysterious place. Learn about the legend of Kanedjo and the importance of this place to the people of New Caledonia. Afterwards you will return to Noumea for a relaxing afternoon lazing by the pool, or choose to discover even more about the ancestral culture of New Caledonia at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre or Kanak Art of the Museum of New Caledonia. Make sure to indulge in a local fine dining meal to remember your beautiful time on this island.
Day 11: Depart Noumea
Your adventure comes to an end this morning as you enjoy your final gourmet breakfast in this fantastic place. Transfer to the airport and catch your flight back home.
