Things to see and do Ouvéa

Built in 1984, the bridge that separates Lékine from Mouli Island is not to be missed. The view of the cliffs and the blue sea of the lagoon is simply grandiose. Every hour, the water seems to change color! You can see the island of Fayawa and a great diversity of aquatic fauna: schools of fish, turtles, rays, even sharks, if you are lucky. Continuing south, the 8 km long peninsula offers an exceptional white beach on its western side and beautiful coral cliffs on its eastern coast.

The Turtle Hole is not easy to find, the entrance to the trail is marked by an iron bar topped by a balloon. Ask the locals to guide you if you have trouble. It is of course possible to swim, but be careful, it is difficult to go up the wall. If the children of the tribe are not there and there is nobody in the water, you can also see turtles coming to the surface to breathe, with a little patience. A small path goes around and offers beautiful views. We love it.

Don't hesitate to push open the heavy doors of the large church of St. Joseph to admire the interior. Dating from 1912, it has a beautiful vaulted wooden ceiling, a kohu pulpit and a black kaori carved Christ draped with a manou. On the edge of the pretty bay of the same name stands the monument to the centenary of the Catholic mission that arrived in 1857. The chieftaincy is next door. A visit certainly attractive for the believers, but one admires just as much the architecture of this small church so atypical. Sale of artisanal products on the spot.

This circular pool of 30 m in diameter is the narrowest part of the isthmus north of Wadrilla. Here, salt and fresh waters do not mix and their deep blue color is hypnotic. A team of Captain Cousteau explored it, but never reached the bottom. Many multicolored fish stay in this natural aquarium. If you continue along the trail, you will find a path a few meters further that leads you to a second water hole. Also located nearby, the turtle hole.

The Anubet cave, dug in the heart of the forest in the south of Ouvéa, can be visited in the company of Dominique Tanghmelen, who guides visitors. It is necessary to bring walking shoes, but also a swimsuit, with mask and snorkel. This is a must-see visit, as much for the beauty of the place as for Dominique's explanations. He will explain with passion and pedagogy all you need to know about the fauna and flora of the area. At the end, a tasting of freshly picked and cut coconut is held. Go for it without hesitation.

Located in the Hwadrilla tribe, the Ouvéa coconut oil distillery produces 200 tons of oil per year, which is processed in the soap factory. The production is not stabilized. It is possible to visit the site during opening hours and to buy the products. An interesting visit to make for those who are curious to know how these soaps are made. The facilities for drying the almonds are accessible.