Loyalty Islands

The Loyalty Islands (French: Îles Loyauté) are an archipelago to the north of the main island of New Caledonia. == Islands == In addition to the common French names, the islands have native Kanak names, listed in parentheses below. == Understand == Lacking in both mineral wealth and land suitable for agriculture, the Loyalty Islands have largely been spared mass migration from France and remain a stronghold of Kanak culture, since Kanaks represent 94% of the islands' population of 19,000. The few tourists that make it this far come for the gorgeous, largely untouched beaches. Ironically, despite the name, the Loyalty Islands are markedly disloyal to France: in the controversial 2021 referendum, over 95% of the islanders followed calls to boycott and refused to vote. === Tourist information === Iles Loyauté Explorer (French and English) == Get in == === By plane === There are daily flights from Nouméa's Magenta domestic airport to Ouvéa, Lifou, and Maré on Air Caledonie. Advance booking fares start from around 8,000 XPF one way. In addition, Air Oceania (formerly Air Loyauté) flies from Magenta to Tiga. === By ferry === The Betico ferry travels from Noumea to the Loyalty Islands twice week, calling at Mare (4 hours) and Lifou (5 hours). There are also occasional services to Ouvea. One-way rates from 9,200 XPF. === By cruise === Vanuatu and New Caledonia cruises starting from Sydney or Brisbane often call at Lifou, which is along the way. == Get around == Betico offers inter-island services for a fixed 7,000 XPF. Check schedules carefully, since they usually operate triangle routes, meaning you can go from one island to another but not the other way. IENEIC (tel. +687 720235) offers occasional cargo and passenger services between Lifou and Tiga for 7,100 XPF. Air Loyaute used to offer inter-island hops, but these ceased when the airline had to sell off its fleet during COVID. As of 2025, there is talk of these being restarted. == Talk == A rudimentary knowledge of French will come in very handy, as English speakers are few and far between. Severely endangered on the mainland, Kanak languages still survive on the Loyalty Islands. The largest Kanak language, Drehu, has 12,000 speakers mostly on Lifou and is an official French regional language. == See == The islands' beautiful water is prime for snorkeling and swimming. Jinek Bay, a natural marine reserve, along with Jokin Bay on the northern shore of Lifou are stunning in their coral and marine life including sea turtles. == Do == == Eat == == Drink == == Sleep == There are only a few larger hotels on the island, none of them branded, although the Intercontinental Lifou Wadra Bay (opening late 2025?) promises to change that. The official Iles Loyauté Explorer website offers accommodation and local travel packages starting from 14500 XPF/person for two nights. This is the easiest way to book what the website calls "tribal homestays" that otherwise have minimal online presence. == Stay safe == == Go next == The Loyalty Islands are the end of the road, unless you have your own boat the only way back is to Noumea.