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Outlying Islands
ILE DES PINS: Discovered and named the Isle of Pines by Captain Cook in 1774, Ile des Pins lies some 70km (45 miles) off the southeast coast of Grande Terre. This exceedingly beautiful island has many white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons and is lush with rainforests, pines, orchids and ferns. Archaeological excavations have revealed settlements 4000 years old. The island was also briefly used as a convict settlement during the 19th century following the Paris Commune. The ruins of the jail can still be seen amongst the dense vegetation. There are many rural lodges, a luxury hotel and a more modest hotel. Both hotels are situated on or near beaches. Day trips are available from Nouméa to the Ile des Pins.
THE LOYALTY ISLANDS: This archipelago lies 100km (60 miles) off the east coast of New Caledonia, and is widely regarded as being superb for scuba diving and spear-fishing. Maré Island, the furthest south, has an area of 650 sq km (250 sq miles). Most of the population lives in the village of Tadine. Lifou Island, the largest of the three with an area of 1150 sq km (445 sq miles), has over 7000 inhabitants. The main village is Chépénétié.
Ouvéa Island is 130 sq km (50 sq miles), but is rarely more than 3 or 4km (2 or 2.5 miles) wide. The lagoon is rich in fish. Almost all of the population lives in Fayaoué. There is accommodation on all these islands in the form of either hotels, motels or family lodgings.
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