Ile De Pins

Capt. James Cook named it in 1774 for the tree-rich landscape, but it's the gloriously clear waters offshore, bordered by some of the most stunning beaches (Kuto and Kanumera are the best known) in the entire South Pacific, that enthrall travel-weary visitors. This is an island made for slow bicycle rides... leisurely snorkeling... long days on deserted, white-sand strands... French picnic baskets... watching a woodcarver at work in his home... sailing a pirogue outrigger into Upi Bay to see the moon on the water.

Adventures

• DIVING - New Caledonia's coral lagoon is the world's largest, and the diving is wondrous. However, the most unusual Ile de Pins dive is not offshore, but in an inland limestone cave known (depending on the translation) as Devil's Grotto or Satan's Cave. Start with a brief, steep climb down to a freshwater pool, where a narrow passage leads to a pair of huge rooms, one lighted by a single shaft of light from a hole in the stalactite-lined ceiling. And the water is unbelievably clear.
• SAILING - Both bareboat and crewed yachts are available in Noumea, the gateway to the deserted bays and beaches of Ile de Pins. It's an easy two-day crossing to the Ile de Pins, with a layover in vast Prony Bay, known both for its safe anchorages and its rare seashells. At Ile de Pins, Kuto Bay is a good place to drop anchor to begin a leisurely exploration of one of the world's most beautiful islands.... And, if you're lucky enough to be cruising on your own yacht, plan on spending even more time in the lovely, still undeveloped Loyalty Islands northeast of Ile de Pins.

Currency

Currency in New Caledonia: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)

Cruise Lines	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	2009 Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul
Holland America
Princess
Royal Caribbean

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