Making the most of Ile des Pins
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships anchor just offshore and tender guests into the Bay of Kuto, where native music and dancing provide a welcome. From the landing, walk to the beach or follow the local lanes. This is a very ‘rustic’ place rather than a resort district, an important part of its appeal.
Carry a copy of the printable map.
Ile des Pins takes its name from the distinctive pines across its interior, some exceeding 200 ft/60 m in height. Kuto and Kanumera Bays make it a South Pacific paradise for beachcombers, with pure white sand bordered by coconut palms and wild orchids and described as among the world's finest beaches.
Getting around
Various tour providers offer different trips immediately to the right after disembarking from the tender, and around to the left near the local dance-performance area and market stalls.
Explore one of the island's caves: Ouatchia, with attractive stalagmites; Wemwanyi; Queen Hortense's Cave, where a 19th-century queen is said to have sheltered during a tribal conflict; or Troisieme, also called the Third, a partly flooded cavern containing stalactites and stalagmites.
A guide is useful when visiting these caves.
Nearby places
Piscine Naturelle is a natural pool within a shallow, enclosed lagoon joined to the sea by narrow caves rich in beautiful fish species. A taxi is $30 each way for the 20 km journey. Pool admission costs USD2.00, while snorkel equipment hire is USD5.00. It lies beside the impressive Meridien resort.
Food and shopping
New Caledonia is costly because much of its food must be imported. Bargaining is not part of the culture and an attempt to haggle could cause offence.
Money
The currency is the CFP franc (XPF).
Staying connected
French is the official language.
English and Japanese are spoken widely in hotels, restaurants and shops.
Opening Hours and
Shops open Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1400-1800; Sat 0730-1100.