Making the most of Ouvea Iles Loyante
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
The ships anchor up just off the island and tender passengers ashore.
Printable map to take along.
Ouvéa is a commune in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Ouvéa is made up of Ouvéa Island, the smaller Mouli Island and Faiava Island, and several islets around these three islands. All these lie among the Loyalty Islands, to the northeast of New Caledonia's mainland.
Known as ‘the closest island to paradise', Ouvea is hailed as New Caledonia's finest beach and is one of the Pacific's most exquisite coral atolls. Home to a stunning 25km beach of pristine white sand fronting a turquoise lagoon, the island has a single road and is less than 40 meters wide at some points. Mild weather, friendly people of Melanesian and Polynesian descent, plus stunning seascapes all help to make Ouvea an earthly paradise.
Food and shopping
New Caledonia is very expensive, since much of the food needs to be imported. There is no culture of bargaining either and attempting such might cause offense.
Money
Currency CFP franc (XPF
Staying connected
Official languages French
English, and Japanese are widely spoken at hotels, restaurants, and shops
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1400-1800, Sat 0730-1100