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Travel Information >> New Caledonia
>> New Caledonia travel s\'guide
>> Mare s' travel guide
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Mare s' travel guide
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Maré
Maré is the highest of the four Loyalty Islands. After a long descent into the heart of the ocean, Maré proudly holds its head up high above the waves, from the heights of its five storey cliffs. This coral plateau with two basalt outcrops (remains of past volcanic eruptions) has become a fairy-tale island, with its small coves of very fine sand and its caves alongside the pure waters of the lagoon.
On the West Coast, between coconut palms and Columnar pines, a superb natural rock pool sits in the coral. The inhabitants of the island are deeply attached to their traditions and their tribal habitat bears testimony to the ancestral architecture. They regularly organise tribal cultural ceremonies of special importance, which are usually accompanied by unique harmonious singing. The Festival de l'Igname ("yam festival") in particular is a captivating local event.
Maré is divided into 8 Districts: Guahma, Tadine, Wabao, Eni, Médu, La Roche, Tawainedre and Pénélo and has 7,000 inhabitants.
Air Calédonie offers daily scheduled 45 minute flights from Magenta Airport in Nouméa to Maré Island. The domestic airline and local travel agencies supply packages including air transport + transfers + accommodation + meals + excursions, however these services can be booked separately.]
Sights at Médu:
-La Grotte de Pethoene (The Pethoene Cave)
Can be found 50m from the roadside taking a small path through the forest that borders the tribal land of the Medu.
Sights at Penelo:
-Le Bone de la Léproserie ("The Leperhouse Well")
A 50 metre well opening into one of the deepest underground fresh water lakes in the world (350,000 m3).
-Kurine & Patho Beaches
Long beaches of white sand, edged with coconut palms against magnificent coral cliffs.
-The Island's century-old churches.
Situated in the various districts of the island.
Sights at La Roche:
-The village of La Roche and its fortress: The second centre of the island. This village owes its name to the Titi, a coral rock reaching to a height of 90 m, the Titi, which served as a fortress and a refuge to the inhabitants in times of war. The remains of the ancient fortifications are on the summit. The panoramic view extends from Cape Roussin to Cape Coster. All visits to this site must be accompanied by a local guide.
-The Yeiwene Yeiwene Cultural Centre: Fresco and painting exhibition.
Sights at Guahma:
-Le Trou de Bone ("The Bone Hole"): A vertical 40 metre deep limestone cave.
-La grotte de Padawa ("The Padawa Cave")
Maré is rich in caves in the limestone bed of the former lagoon.
-Ro: Monument commemorating the arrival of the first Christian missionaries on the Island of Maré.
Sights at Tadine:
-The Natural Aquarium
Near to Tadine, this aquarium, fed by seawater through natural inlets under the coral, shelters turtles and fish.
Sights at Wabao:
-Cengeit‚ and Wabao Beaches
Long beaches edged with coconut palms and glorious fine sand, nestling between the rocky headlands.
Sights at Médu:
-La Grotte de Pethoene (The Pethoene Cave)
Can be found 50m from the roadside taking a small path through the forest that borders the tribal land of the Medu.
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