Mare (New Caledonia) / French Sui Generis Collectivity

East of Australia lies the archipelago of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. To the east of its main island, Grande Terre, lies the second largest island of the Loyalty Islands province, Maré, also known as Nengone. The island has about 6,000 inhabitants and its administrative center is Tadine, a cruise ship port.

The island, 42 kilometers long and 33 kilometers wide at its widest point, is a coral atoll, raised 130 meters above the ocean surface. The highest of the province's islands offers its visitors beautiful nature spiced with the traditions and legends of the original Melanesian inhabitants.

Maré owes its origin to a number of interesting natural formations. Near La Roche, cliffs rise 30 meters above sea level, forming a gorge that, according to one of the local legends, earned the name Warrior's Leap.

About 3 kilometers from the town of Tadine on the island's western coast is a coral lagoon with crystal clear water, known as a natural aquarium, where countless species of fish or even sea turtles can be observed. 10 kilometers further, visitors will find the Pethoen Cave, hidden in the midst of breathtaking tropical rainforest. Its vault framed by majestic stalactites takes one's breath away, as does the 40-meter-deep circular abyss Bone Abyss, covered with banyan roots climbing the walls to the water at its bottom.

The beaches of Maré are narrow, often bordered by steep cliffs. Notable examples include Wabao and Kurine with their white sand, or the somewhat wilder Pede, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is closely rivaled by the beach at Shabadran terraces or Yejele in Niri Bay, an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, or snorkeling.

Fans of mysteries should not miss a stop at the La Monique monument, commemorating the disappearance of the ship of the same name and its nearly 130 passengers on the journey between Maré and the capital of New Caledonia, Nouméa.

Maré has prepared a number of unique festivals for its visitors – starting with the May avocado festival, through the tourism festival in September, to the Sea Festival held at the beginning of November.

One of the main economic activities of the islanders is the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, whose freshness can only be matched by the fish and seafood pulled from the local crystal-clear sea.

Places worth seeing

Yejele Beach – Spend the day sunbathing, swimming, and discovering underwater life with a snorkel on the beautiful sandy beach.

Bone Abyss – Admire the aerial banyan roots climbing the steep walls of the 40-meter-deep abyss.

Warrior's Leap – Be enchanted by the dramatic 30-meter gorge associated with an interesting legend about warriors who leapt into the sea from here.

La Monique Monument – Recall the mysterious disappearance of the New Zealand ship La Monique in 1953.

Pethoen Cave – Refresh yourself in the cool, clear water of the cave's lake with thousands of stalactites hanging overhead.