Isle of Pines

The Isle of Pines (in French) or Kunié (in local Kanak language) is the most beautiful island in New Caledonia, and probably one of the most singular landscapes in the South Pacific. Located 100 km south-east of Nouméa, at the southern tip of the UNESCO lagoon, this 14,800-hectare island (152 km²) is home to around 2,000 inhabitants, almost exclusively Kanak from the Kunié tribe. This is where James Cook arrived on 17 September 1774 during his second Pacific voyage — he named it 'Isle of Pines' because of the forest of endemic columnar pines (Araucaria columnaris) raising their vertical silhouettes up to 60 m high above the beaches and hills.

The geography of the Isle of Pines is unique: a relatively flat island (highest point Pic N'Ga at 262 m), 18 km long and 14 km wide, ringed by a coral barrier forming the southern tip of the New Caledonia lagoon. The coastline is studded with white-sand beaches of exceptional fineness (coral sand almost flour-like) and sheltered coves. Inland, columnar pine forests alternate with coconut groves, karst caves (Queen Hortense caves, Oumagne caves) and a few plantations.

The unmissable sites of the island are: The Oro Natural Pool — without contest the signature site of New Caledonia. A natural pool 350 m long and 80 m wide, formed by a coral arm isolating translucent turquoise water at 26-28 °C, next to the open lagoon. Accessible after 30 min of walking from Oro Bay through the columnar pine forest. The Upi Bay — to be visited exclusively in traditional Kanak pirogue (outrigger sailing canoe). This wild bay studded with limestone rocks emerging from turquoise waters is one of the most beautiful marine landscapes in New Caledonia. The Kuto beach — 1 km crescent beach of almost flour-like white sand. The Kanuméra beach — twin beach of Kuto, with its central sacred islet (Kanuméra rock — climbing forbidden, sacred Kanak place).