TOURIST ACTIVITIES

  
     

 

A holiday on Isle of Pines is possibly the epitome of ‘eco-tourism’. Choose the rhythm that suits you during the day - taking it easy or lots of physical activity. In the evening it’s relax - there’s in fact little else to do, other than have a quiet drink and dinner, then, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself on the island at full moon, take a walk along the beach at low tide - it’s an unforgettable holiday experience.

Walks, drives and sea trips :

There are delightful bays all around the island, each with its own special charm. They are accessible either on foot, or by car, or only by boat.		  
     

 

 

 
• Swimming in the bays
  
   
Kuto Bay
   The Kuto area abounds in bays of white sand and turquoise waters, each more spectacular than the other ! Kuto Bay itself is a gentle curve of more than a kilometre long;    
        the bay beyond is la Baie des Rouleaux (Roller Bay) because of the waves rolling in over the reef - it’s almost as long as Kuto Bay. Across the isthmus from Kuto is extraordinary Kanumera Bay, dominated by a huge, coral rock.  
   
Natural pool
Oro
     North of Upi is another magic bay - Oro - winding, tidal channels and a natural pool bordered by coral cliffs, which form protection from the open sea.  
 

 

  

 

• Drift on an outrigger, as the wind takes you
  
 
Upi Bay
  
Near Vao village is St. Joseph Bay, construction site of the island’s famous outriggers and their departure for excursions into wondrous Upi Bay.  
 
     
 
• Island tour in a minibus or a four-wheel drive vehicle
  

Island tour minibus

   Cars, bikes and scooters are available to hire, for those visitors who like to do ‘their own thing’. Others may prefer to take an island tour by minibus.
The tour takes 2-3 hours and costs 1.700 – 1.800 cfp per person. Each driver runs his own business and has sometimes only a smattering of English.
Contact :
• Salomée : tel. (687) 46 11 25,
• Alex : tel. 78 96 36,
• Nicole : tel. (687) 82 38 59		  
     
Car rental
  

Car rental : Cars can be hired from Kodjeue and Kou-Bugny Hotels and from Gîte Nataiwatch.
Sandra and Joachim (JS Kunie Locations) also hire out cars :
tel./fax : (+687) 43 07 14

as does Edmond Locations : tel : 76 69 96 (5 seaters and a mini-bus for hire).

Mulumulu Transport offers a TAXI service (4 pax max ; meter charge – eg. Airport to Kuto approx. 1 500 cfp).
Their island tour costs 1 000 cfp per person.
Tel. (+687) 75 00 88

Tranex is another TAXI service. Tel : 76 84 50

Bikes to hire> here

  
   

Looking for somewhere welcoming and reasonably-priced to eat during the day ?

 

>> WHERE TO EAT ?

 
     
 
• Go hiking to better admire the island's beauty
  
        Hikers can find plenty of diversity on Isle of Pines, including the island’s only peak to climb - Peak Nga (262m) - from the top you can see the whole island and surrounding islets.  
     

 

• Horse-riding
  
  Or you might like to go horse-riding. La Baie des Crabes at Gadji is the departure spot for treks in the forest and along the water’s edge. Lionel has 4 horses for a 1 hour excursion. Price : 2,500 cfp per person. Reservations are best made the day before.
Tel. 90 97 33
Note : it helps if you speak some French. 		 
       
   
 
 

 

• Vanilla Plantation, Gadji Bay

  
 

While you’re in Gadji you might like to visit Nicole’s vanilla plantation and taste various delights with a subtle flavour.

Organised visits by appointment, between 8am and 11am. Tel. : 43 05 14

  
   

 

• Sea-trips ... outrigger or motor boat
  
       

Sea-trips include yesteryear sailing on an outrigger, with a deft Melanesian sailor to look after you, or a day trip by motor boat to a nearby island for a fish and lobster barbecue.

Several boats organise day-trips to extraordinary Nokanhui atoll :

  
           
      • KUNIE REEF specialises in excursions to Nokanhui only.
Discover the lagoon, swim, fish if you like (on request), and lunch on lobster or fish or simply do the trip without a meal. Prices : 9 500 cfp, 8 400 cfp or 6 300 cfp p/person.

Kunie Reef will also run a taxi boat service to Nokanhui for 4 300 cfp per person.
Leave from St. Joseph Bay.
Tel : (+687) 84 50 08 (William) or (+687) 83 93 21 (Didier)
E-mail : williamgarcon@hotmail.com ou http://kuniereef.blogspot.com


• Yves Kouathé, Ouré Hotel, organises a stop at Nokanhui followed by a picnic on Brush Island. Minimum : 4 persons.
Depart Kanumera Bay : 9am, return : 3pm.
Lobster, fish or chicken lunch (9 500 cfp p/pers.Or 8 000 cfp p/pers.

Or Yves offers a tour of the bays and islets in the area, followed by a picnic at Brush Island. Minimum : 4 persons. Or simply a two and a half hour tour of the bays and islets.

Or a 2 hour early evening fishing tour ; again, minimum 4 persons.
Tel. (+687) 43 13 15

Brush Island

  
         
       
Nokanhui atoll
  
         

Taxi Boat

 

 

 


  

• Albert Apikaoua runs a taxi boat excursion that takes in discovering Nokanhui before a picnic stop at beautiful Brush Island. Prices are 6 500 cfp per person, without lunch, or 9 000 cfp per person with an exotic picnic of fish, lobster and fruit.

Or you can go just to Brush Island for the day : without meal : 3 500 cfp p/pers., with meal : 6 500 cfp p/pers.
Tel. (067) 71 44 52 or (067) 41 64 02
Leave from the small wharf, Kuto, at 9.30am, return at 3pm.

 
   
 

• Kunie Reef will also run a taxi boat service to Nokanhui for 4 300 cfp per person.
Leave from St. Joseph Bay.
Tel : (+687) 84 50 08 (William) or (+687) 83 93 21 (Didier)
E-mail : williamgarcon@hotmail.com ou http://kuniereef.blogspot.com

 
     

 

• Scuba-diving ... professional guides
  
 

Ouameo Bay

Kodjeue
Hotel

  

Scuba-diving enthusiasts (beginners and experienced divers) are well-catered for by Kunie Scuba Centre
 
 

Professional guides with all the equipment necessary to discover the colourful world of the New Caledonian lagoon - coral, fish, caves, drop-offs and passes.

For more information and Reservations :
Visit our Internet site
or e-mail : kuniescuba@canl.nc

or Tel. / Fax
Kunie Scuba Centre (687) 46 11 22

Kunie Scuba - dive boat
 
     

 

• Modern sailing... catamaran
  
   
Kuto Bay
  

Or perhaps you would prefer more modern sailing ? ...
Several charter and boat hire companies offer Isle of Pines as a destination.
The boats and conditions vary - with or without skipper, with or without meals supplied.

 

• Nirvana Charter : 15m. catamaran with skipper, Gilles Gayot ; maximum 10 persons.
Tel. (+687) 77 42 40
Email : cata.nirvana@hotmail.com
Internet site : www.nirvana-yacht-charter.com

• Noumea Yacht Charter : yachts (single-hulled and catamarans), motor boats, with or without skipper. Tel./Fax : (+687) 28 66 66
Email : n.y.c@canl.nc
Internet site : www.nyc.nc

• Touaou Croisières/Cruises : 15m. catamaran with skipper, Yves Ducreux ; maximum 6 persons;
minimum 4 days.
Tel. (+687) 78 35 60 or (+687) 79 98 82
Email : y.ducreux@laposte.net
Internet site : www.touaou-croisieres.com
 

 
     

Vao Village

  

Information Office Point I : Just 50m. in front of the church, in the village square, Vao, is Point I. It is staffed by a well-travelled Kunie, Marie-Jeanne, who, in addition to her own native language, speaks English, French, Italian, Czech and Polish.

Office hours are from 8-11.30am and 2-4pm, Monday to Friday and Saturday am.

Tel. (687) 46 10 27
E-mail : pointidp@canl.nc

"To help make your stay on Isle of Pines more enjoyable, here are several useful addresses ..."
   
                     
         
           
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© idp
10/05