Any advices for Maré and Ouvéa in New Caledonia

We would be glad to hear from some travellers who went to Maré and Lifou, and what they would recommend as accomodation and must-see or do there. We are not looking for top-class hotels and too basic huts, but something in the middle, clean, well situated and welcoming. Can we easily rent scooters on these islands? Where is it best to dive (for beginners)?

Many thanks!

On Lifou I can highly recommend the Oasis de Kiamu. I believe it's exactly what you're looking for - not a 5 star hotel but not a basic hut either. It is clean, well situated, comfortable, welcoming and has atmosphere as well.

The restaurant serves absolutely delicious food - the lobster carpaccio with vanilla sauce was incredible.

You can hire scooters from the Drehu Village Hotel in Lifou. This hotel is another option for you in your mid range. I have not stayed there personally however.

In Mare, the mid range hotel choice would be Hotel Nengone Village. It is possible to hire scooters from them.

I know you can dive from Lifou but I don't know where. Can't help you with Mare on that point.

Hi,
We stayed on Mare and Ouvea last July but we camped.All the accommodation we saw except the swanky Japanese hotel on Ouvea was pretty simple, mainly homestays where the meals were provieded by the hosts. What made camping on Mare expensive were the transfers, the charges were a rip off. Mare is a wonderfully relaxing place with very friendly people. The hotel Nengone Village was still being built or re-built then, are you sure it is open now? There definitely was no scooter hire on either Mare or Ouvea, we hitched which was a very pleasant way to meet lots of people. We rented a small car on Mare for one day which was easy and inexpensive. On Ouvea we stayed at Camping Lekine near the bridge, I believe they offered diving trips, Roberto who was in charge is Italian and knows his way around.
Have I helped? Otherwise send me a PM.
Isabel