The Loyalty Islands are an archipelago made up of 4 islands: Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga, and Maré. These islands are about 100 km from Grande Terra, the main island of New Caledonia. The people who live in this archipelago are predominately Melanesian (Kanak), with a smaller population of Polynesians. The islands here are known for coral reefs and beaches with tropical vegetation inland.
Lifou. the biggest island has superb beaches, dense vegetation, and spectacular caves.
Ouvea is often likened to paradise because the sand on the beaches look like flour.
Mare, the southern most island has rugged cliffs with some inlets containing small sandy beaches. Inland there are many caves and natural swimming holes.
Author & photographer: David Johnson (Virtual New Caledonia). Providing a credit or link is appreciated.
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