Lifou, Loyalty Islands

Lifou is a commune in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune of Lifou is made up of Lifou Island, the largest and most heavily populated of the Loyalty Islands, its smaller neighbour Tiga Island, and several uninhabited islets in between these two. All these islands lie among the Loyalty Islands, 190 km to the northeast of New Caledonia's mainland. The town of Wé
on Lifou Island, is the administrative centre of the commune of Lifou as well as the provincial seat of the Islands Province.

Lifou is known for its limestone caves, white sands and rich coral reefs. Inland, it is covered in dense tropical forest, while the east and west coast are banked by steep cliffs, with limestone caves and fine sandy beaches.

Attractions on Lifou include the caves on the south coast of Lifou, as well as a marine turtle park at the Bay of Wanda. In the north, the cliffs of Joking are a popular attraction. Good swimming beaches include Chateaubriand, Santal and Sandalwood, and there is excellent diving and game fishing in the waters around Lifou.

Things to See and Do

* Cliffs of Joking
* Visit the marine turtle park
* Guided walks
* Scuba diving & snorkelling
* Beaches

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – CFP franc (XPF)
Language – French,
Land Area – 1,207.1 km²
Population – 10,600 approx
Electricity – 2 angled flat pins and 1 round pin centred below Australian style
Time – GMT plus eleven hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 689

Port Location – The port is located at the village of Easo. The ships anchor up just off the island and tender passengers ashore.

Transport Links – Flights are available from Noumea-Magenta which serves all domestic flights within New Caledonia, such as the Loyalty Islands (Maré, Tiga, Lifou, Ouvéa), from Isle of Pines in the south to Belep Islands in the northern tip of the mainland as well as Koné and Koumac on the west coast and Touho on the east coast.