New Caledonia -itinary help

Hi
We've just started planing our honeymoon... 3 months in the South Pacific backpacking and camping mostly, except for the final week when we will splurge on a over-water bungalow or something else extra. We're considering starting of in New Caledonia in the beginning of august. Then Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Cook islands, perhaps Samoa, and finally French Polynesia. We will probably have tons of questions on this forum... right now we're researching New Caledonia and have a few questions...

We're considering spending 1 day in Noumea, 5-6 days on Grand Terre renting a car, visit the south and north, do some diving. Then we're considering getting a Air-pass and visit 1 or 2 of the Loyalty islands, and Ile den Pins.

The Loyalty islands - which island do you recommend?
So far we've considered Maré for the rock pools and Lifou for the diving. But it seems that the divecenter on Lifou is closed, so don't know if there is much else to see there...

How do the Loyalty islands and Ile de Pin compare to the other destinations we have planed? - we're mostly interested in snorkeling, diving, beautiful sites and to some extent also culture. (diving and scenery trumphs culture though)

We know the weather maybe so and so in august, will this effect the flights? and the possible activities on the islands?

To summarize our question is - should we just stay on Grand Terre and spend more time on the Cooks or Fiji for instance? Or are the Loyalty Islands and Ile de Pins worth the time and effort?

Aleks and Jan

Edited by: yarblek

I have not been to the Loyalties, but found the Isle of Pines definitely a worthy addition to trip round Grande Terre!
Very different not only from Grande Terre, but from any other Pacific island I have seen. At least visit on a day-trip!

Marine life is much richer in Vanuatu though, so if diving is a priority, do most of it there - it beats all other countries on your list.

Laszlo is mostly right. Grande Terre is very interesting, especially in the north East (Highenghene) but very different is Noumea and especially Ile de Pin.

Ile de Pin is the most wonderful place and ideal for honymooners - some great hotels, stunning scenery, small but uncrowded. The "Piscine" is a highlight as is the beaches of Kuto/Kanumera, and the seafood to die for.

thank you!