8 Likes
According to legend, a warrior once leaped across the 5 metre wide gap of this jagged sea crevice to escape his enemies. If someone actually tried it they would certainly escape their enemies and plummet down the sheer cliffs into the sea. The provincial government of the Loyalty Islands has recently put up a solid fence to forestall any running leaps. The cliffs forming the eastern coast of Mare Island are uplifted coral reefs - jagged and sharp and very picturesque.
The Rocket Tourism Guide to New Caledonia includes complete information on this and other tourism features of Mare, the most southern of the Loyalty Islands. For up to date information on what's happening in Mare and accommodation in the loyalty islands, visit the official Destination Loyalty Islands Tourism site.
...
Mare Island is the southernmost of the four Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia. It is an uplifted coral atoll with jagged cliffs on the southern shores 130 metres high. The center of the island, the ancient lagoon, is flat and there are several caves and sink-holes - some with salt water and others with fresh water. Air Caledonie offers two flights a day to Mare - a 40 minute flight. There is also a 3.5 hour high speed ocean going catamaran Betico II. There is just one Mare hotel, the Nengone Village Hotel, one Gite, two tribal stays, and one camping ground. The primary attraction for visitors are the wilderness walks, the snorkelling, the lovely beaches, and the festivals. There is no public transport on Mare but there are small tour buses, taxis, and rental car agencies. The island is small enough that you can also rent a bicycle and visit many of the main tourism destinations. As in all the Loyalty Islands the people speak their own local Melanesian language plus French.
