One week diving in New Caledonia and Iles de Pines

Hi there - I'm heading to New Caledonia in a couple of weeks for 1 week and would love some advice on the questions below please!

I'm travellling by myself and going for diving and some beach/chill time, and want to spend a few days on Iles de Pines. Here's a basic plan but I'm open to suggestions:

Sat - flying in (arrive midday), overnight in Hienghene or Noumea
Sun-Mon - diving in Hienghene or Noumea, Mon night overnight in Noumea
Tue - ferry to Iles de Pines
Tue-Thu - diving/relaxing Iles de Pines
Fri - Ferry back to Noumea
Sat - fly out (early evening flight)

Questions:
- How easy is it to get to Hienghene - and is the diving worth the extra effort? Or am I better off staying in/near Noumea given time restrictions?
- Whereabouts is good to stay for beach/relaxing/diving near Noumea? A lot of people seem to go to Plage de Citron but does this mean it is quite touristy?
- Any recommendations for good dive operators on Grande Terre?
- Any alternative places you would suggest for diving?
- Any tips for keeping the costs down a little as I hear it's quite expensive?!

Any other tips also appreciated. Thanks very much in advance :)

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