Lifou

Lifou, also known as Drehu, is the largest of the Loyalty Islands of New Caledonia. Lifou is a popular cruise port, with many cruises coming from Australia. The most common port-of-call is Easo; the ships anchor just off the island and tender passengers ashore, being too large for the wharf there. Lifou is known for its snorkelling. == Understand == Lifou is the largest of the Loyalty Islands both by population and land mass. In fact, at 1,146 km2 (442 sq mi) it is considered the largest atoll in the world, although it has been uplifted to up to 60 m in height, by geological processes, and it lacks the classic Maldivian-style lagoon in the middle. Some 10,000 people, over half the Loyalty Islands' population, live in Lifou. The main town centre is at 1 Wé (pron. "weh") on the east side of the island's narrow central waist. The tiny island of Tiga, some 35 km away to the east, is administratively part of Lifou. == Get in == === By plane === Lifou's 1 Ouanaham Airport (LIF IATA, also Wanaham) fields up to three Air Caledonie flights per day from Nouméa's Magenta domestic airport. Advance booking fares start from around 8,000 XPF one way. === By ferry === The Betico ferry travels from Noumea to the Loyalty Islands twice week, calling at Lifou. Direct travel time from Noumea is 5 hours, but you may have to detour via Maré, adding at least two hours to the journey. IENEIC (tel. +687 720235) offers occasional cargo and passenger services between Lifou and Tiga for 7,100 XPF. === By cruise ship === Carnival, P&O and Princess all offer cruises starting from Sydney or Brisbane stopping at Lifou. There is no cruise ship terminal, so shore excursions are by tender only. == Get around == There is no public transport, not even taxis. Most visitors choose to rent a car. Drehu Explorer (tel. +687 451641) offers tour and transport services around the island. == See and do == == Buy == == Eat == == Drink == == Sleep == 1 InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort (Tribu do Mou). Opening 2021 2023 late 2025, the Intercontinental Lifou will be the first branded luxury hotel in the islands. 50 rooms and villas where "luxury meets Melanesian & French cultures" aimed squarely at the honeymoon jetset, doubtless with a price tag to match. (updated Jul 2025) == Go next ==