Tour suggestions for New Caledonia, Loyalty Island and Vanuatu

[Gordo]

This November we are sailing on the Rhapsoday of the Seas from Sydney, Australia to the following South Pacific Islands - New Caledonia, Loyalty Island and Vanuatu - and are looking for tour suggestions. We love to snorkel and spend as much time in the water as possible.

 

Our ports of call are Noumea, New Caledonia, Ouvea (Wadrilla) Loyalty Island, Mystery Island, Vanuatu and Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

 

If a particular location does not have good snorkeling, we would also enjoy the day at a great beach!

 

Thanks in advance - we greatly appreciate your suggestions.

[sharri34]

In Noumea, I strongly Recommend the Amedee Island Tour. It's an absolutely amazing island in a Marine Reserve. You can see Turtles and Lots of Sea life while Snorkling around the Island.

[Kinkacruiser]

Most of these islands are not overly commercialised with tour companies. I agree with Amadee or if you're not into water activirtes, try the scenic yellow train tour that takes to to a few panoramic lookouts and tourist resorts/beaches of Noumea.

[Gordo]

Thank you for the information. The Amedee Island Tour sounds like a great match for us.

 

We are definitely looking for water activity tour options for all ports, so please keep the suggestions coming.

[golfer76]

We didn't do any snorkeling or swimming at Noumea so I can't advise you there sorry, but we did do some lovely snorkeling at the Isle of Pines. Mystery Island sounds and looks fantastic but we haven't been there yet...we will be going there in just over a month's time so I'll keep you posted.;)

 

The snorkeling area at Sacred Rock on Isle of Pines is to the left of the jetty you disembark from. I've attached a photo of it so you'll know what it looks like. ;) In addition to this there is a beautiful beach to walk on and swim at as well. Whitest sand I've ever seen in my life.

 

 

This is the beach you will see as you get off your tender boat at Isle of Pines:

 

 

This is the main snorkeling area...on the left hand side of the sandy strip you see on the left hand side of the photo (it's approx 500m walk from the left of the jetty):

[cjm66]

Our ports of call are Noumea, New Caledonia, Ouvea (Wadrilla) Loyalty Island, Mystery Island, Vanuatu and Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.

 

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Noumea - Amadee Island - a good full day. In event of bad weather or delayed arrival try the Aquarium - easy by taxi from the rank near Coconut Square or the the Tjabou Cultural Centre - both indoors for those occasionally rainy days.

 

Mystery Island - Truly a picture perfect uninhabited Pacific Island. Fair snorkeling - take a buddy - the currents can be strong. Good beach, a fun market and excellent barbecued lobster supplied by the locals who commute over from a nearby inhabited island. Supply your own salt if you need it. Take small notes for purchases and drinks ashore. They did take Aussie dollars but change is usually in Vatu.

 

Isle of Pines - A larger and inhabited island. The Sacred Rock area is OK for snorkelling. There is another area called Piscine Naturelle, which is full of tropical fish and has been well reviewed on TripAdvisor and CC Boards. I am booked for the ships tour in August. On both visits there were locals selling snack food (sometimes giving it away) and drinks and dancers performing on the grassed area behind the beach - on the way to the Sacred Rock. Similar story take small notes for purchases and as "donation" for the performers.

[sandandsea lovers]

Can you hire snorkelling gear at any of these islands or do we need to bring our own?

[golfer76]

Can you hire snorkelling gear at any of these islands or do we need to bring our own?

 

 

Not on most of the islands as such, but certainly on the ships you can, although for the cost of hire on some of them, it's probably better to buy your own and bring them along...unless that's the only time you are going to snorkel in your life. ;)

[sandandsea lovers]

Thank you Golfer, for your prompt reply. On the PG we were fortunate enought to keep the snorkelling gear for the whole cruise.

[golfer76]

Thank you Golfer, for your prompt reply. On the PG we were fortunate enought to keep the snorkelling gear for the whole cruise.

 

No worries. :)

 

Haha, well yes, of course my advice is based on cruising on 3 & half - 4 star rated ships. ;):D

[golfer76]

Isle of Pines - A larger and inhabited island. The Sacred Rock area is OK for snorkelling. There is another area called Piscine Naturelle, which is full of tropical fish and has been well reviewed on TripAdvisor and CC Boards. I am booked for the ships tour in August. On both visits there were locals selling snack food (sometimes giving it away) and drinks and dancers performing on the grassed area behind the beach - on the way to the Sacred Rock. Similar story take small notes for purchases and as "donation" for the performers.

 

Can I just ask roughly how long it took you to get to Piscine Naturelle? I just Google Earthed it and noticed it is on the other side of the island, 10-15km away from where the tenders land you. Is it worth the extra hassle/time to get there over the short walk to Sacred Rock? :)

[Gordo]

golfer76 - thanks for the great pics - the area looks so beautiful - and information. We look forward to reading your feedback on Mystery Island upon your return.

 

cjm66 - thanks for the information on the different ports - and the suggestion for the smaller currency. The Piscine Naturelle snorkel tour sounds perfect for us. We would love to read about your experience as well.

[golfer76]

No worries Gordo...I will keep you posted about Mystery Is. ;):)

 

If you love beautiful beaches, swimming and snorkeling then Isle of Pines will be right up your alley...it's certainly up there in my favourite's list.

 

Hopefully the weather will be as nice for you as it was for our first trip out there. :)

[sandandsea lovers]

No worries. :)

 

Haha, well yes, of course my advice is based on cruising on 3 & half - 4 star rated ships. ;):D

 

The PG was our "Yeehaa" cruise. Celebrating 25th anniversary, my 50th and our daughter now being independant (finished studies).

We do realise how very lucky we were to cruise the PG and saved extremely hard for 18 months to do so, and I am glad we had the opportunity.

[cjm66]

Can I just ask roughly how long it took you to get to Piscine Naturelle? I just Google Earthed it and noticed it is on the other side of the island, 10-15km away from where the tenders land you. Is it worth the extra hassle/time to get there over the short walk to Sacred Rock? :)

 

I am booked on this tour for 29 August (this year) so cannot yet answer your questions. I chose it to do something different from Sacred Rock. I will report back. From the tour description it involves a local bus ride followed by a trek along the shore - very good for me after 2 sea days.

[golfer76]

The PG was our "Yeehaa" cruise. Celebrating 25th anniversary, my 50th and our daughter now being independant (finished studies).

We do realise how very lucky we were to cruise the PG and saved extremely hard for 18 months to do so, and I am glad we had the opportunity.

 

 

Sounds like you had a good time. ;):)

[golfer76]

I am booked on this tour for 29 August (this year) so cannot yet answer your questions. I chose it to do something different from Sacred Rock. I will report back. From the tour description it involves a local bus ride followed by a trek along the shore - very good for me after 2 sea days.

 

Oh, ok...sorry, I read it as though you had been there. I look forward to your review...it does sound wonderful from what I've read after seeing your post. :) I think I'll stick to Sacred Rock and a walk on the beach since I'm bringing the in-laws and my kids.;):D

 

There looks like a couple of other coral formation areas on Google Earth that I might check out that are near where the tenders land. At least they look like they might be coral formations. ;)

[Gordo]

No worries Gordo...I will keep you posted about Mystery Is. ;):)

 

If you love beautiful beaches, swimming and snorkeling then Isle of Pines will be right up your alley...it's certainly up there in my favourite's list.

 

Hopefully the weather will be as nice for you as it was for our first trip out there. :)

 

Thanks so much - we look forward to your report. We have been to a few other South Pacific islands and were absolutely blown away by the beauty and amazing underwater experience. We look forward to visiting another South Pacific destination - we just wish the research for these islands was easier.

 

Have a great vacation.

[Gordo]

Can you hire snorkelling gear at any of these islands or do we need to bring our own?

 

This will be our first visit to these islands, but when we were on Princess last year in French Polynesia none of the tour operators had snorkel equipment for rent and neither did the ship.

 

You may want to check with your cruiseline to see if they will have equipment rentals on board in case you don't want to bring some with you.

[sandandsea lovers]

It is the extra weight is the suitcases that bothers me in having to bring the snorkelling gear, when they may be used only a couple of times.

[Gordo]

It is the extra weight is the suitcases that bothers me in having to bring the snorkelling gear, when they may be used only a couple of times.

 

It does take up space and weight. Maybe you could bring just the mask and snorkel.

[golfer76]

Well yes, if you're only going to use them a couple of times you may want to consider hiring them instead...just be warned however that they may not always be readily available on all ships. On our last cruise, they had run out of masks and snorkels to hire so many missed out by the sounds of it. This will obviously vary from ship to ship. ;)

 

If you really love snorkeling like myself, you'll probably find a way to bring your own gear. ;)

 

I too didn't pack flippers...a mask and snorkel with reef shoes is sufficient to swim around with and not too weight or size restrictive in your luggage. ;):)

[sandandsea lovers]

Well yes, if you're only going to use them a couple of times you may want to consider hiring them instead...just be warned however that they may not always be readily available on all ships. On our last cruise, they had run out of masks and snorkels to hire so many missed out by the sounds of it. This will obviously vary from ship to ship. ;)

 

If you really love snorkeling like myself, you'll probably find a way to bring your own gear. ;)

 

I too didn't pack flippers...a mask and snorkel with reef shoes is sufficient to swim around with and not too weight or size restrictive in your luggage. ;):)

 

Yes that sounds like the best idea. The flippers are the main weight issue and as long as the currents are not too strong if out deeper there should be no issue.:p:D

[golfer76]

Yes that sounds like the best idea. The flippers are the main weight issue and as long as the currents are not too strong if out deeper there should be no issue.:p:D

 

Depends on the location I suppose for currents, but I haven't encounted any strong ones yet...if I don't make it back off my next cruise, you know I've probably been swept out to sea somewhere whilst snorkeling. ;):D

[sandandsea lovers]

Depends on the location I suppose for currents, but I haven't encounted any strong ones yet...if I don't make it back off my next cruise, you know I've probably been swept out to sea somewhere whilst snorkeling. ;):D

LOL. I will send out an SOS or look out for you when we do our cruise then Golfer (just hAVE TO WAIT 7 MONTHS), that is IF you wish to be rescued. You may be happy enough just floating around with that cocktail in hand and patting the stingrays.:)