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.
For a meaningful guided tour in English, contact :
• William Garçon, tel : (687) 81 37 78 or (687) 46 10 52
• Other mini-bus tours : Salomé : tel. (687) 46 11 25,
• Alex : tel. 78 96 36,
• Nicole : tel. (687) 82 38 59
• Sandra : tel. (687) 93 55 66 or NC First (Rosemarie)
tel. (687)76 63 49 or (687) 46 10 90. 		 
     
Car rental
   Car rental : Cars can be hired from Kodjeue and Kou-Bugny Hotels and from Gîte Nataiwatch.
Sandra, above, also hires out cars. NC First has cars, a 4 X 4 and a mini-bus for hire.		  
Snack Kohu
  
Looking for somewhere welcoming and reasonably-priced to eat during the day ? Jean-Marc and Elie run a delightful snack bar on the edge of Vao village as the road heads north to Oro. Milk-shakes, toasted sandwiches/croque monsieur, coffee and ‘dish of the day’/plat du jour are available at covered tables in a charming setting. Open from 6am to 6pm every day except Tuesday.
 
  And in Kuto, you’ll find a snack bar for coffee or a snack, along the beach just before the ‘gendarmerie’ (police station).  
     
 
• 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. Jacky and Fidelie have 5 horses for a variety of excursions from 1 hour to a full day’s trekking with lunch included. Prices range from 2,500 cfp to 8,840 cfp per person. Reservations are best made the day before.
Tel. (687) 46 93 07 or (687) 85 21 24 or check out www.iledespins.net
Note : it helps if you speak some French. 		 
     
   

 

• 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.

• Manamaky Tours organises a memorable day to Nokanhui Atoll with a variety of prices ranging from 5.775 cfp per/person, without lunch, to 9.450 cfp per/person with a fish and lobster barbeque included.
Tel : Tito : (687) 76 02 23 ou Kiki : (687) 87 07 98
e-mail : douepere@canl.nc 		 
         
         
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.
Tel. (067) 71 44 52 or (067) 41 64 02 		 
   
 

• Taxi Boat : Marcellin will take visitors to the reputed atoll, Nokanhui, or to beautiful Brush Island, in his rapid, out-board motor boat.
Departure for Nokanhui is fixed at 8am, return at 11.30am.

Brush Island departures are flexible.

Nokanhui : 4.000 cfp per person ; half-price for children under 12.
Brush Island : 8.500 cfp per person ; half-price for children under 12.
Maximum 7 passengers.
Bookings the day before either by tel. or fax to (687) 46 12 65.

  
     

 

• Glass-bottom boat
  
  Glass-bottom boat : Océane Nautic is a comfortable way to explore the coral and marine life in Kanumera Bay without having to don a mask and snorkel.
Contact Kano on tel. (687) 92 45 10 – he speaks English.
Price : 1,500 cfp per person ; children under 12 half price.		  
     

 

• 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

 
     

 

• Modern sailing... catamaran
  
   
Kuto Bay
  

Or perhaps you would prefer more modern sailing ? ... Ile des Pins Croisière (Charter) - can take you sailing in a 12 metre catamaran, for a morning or a day out, or for a charter of several days. The skippers know the island and its surrounding waters very well.
 

Ile des Pins Croisiere (Isle of Pines Charter)
Francois Laforet
B.P. 12549
98802 Magenta, Noumea (New Caledonia)

e-mail : idp-croisiere@isle-of-pines.com

Tel. : (687) 82 78 79
Fax : (687) 26 14 56

For more information and reservations :
Visit our Internet site
 

 
     

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 1027
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
07/10