Ouvéa

Ouvéa is an island in Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia. It is connected via a bridge to Mouli island.

Understand

The island includes the settlements of Fayaoué, Heo and Mouli

Ouvéa is an independentist stronghold (more than 84% of the population voted for independence in the 2018 New Caledonian independence referendum), but the population is very friendly, including to French. Expect to be greeted by anyone you will meet on the road.

The island has a single ATM, near the post office and the gendarmerie.

Most of the population speaks French, and basic English. There are many Japanese signs too (virtually everything in the tourist infrastructure is translated to English and Japanese).

Get in

• 1 Aérogare d'Ouvéa. Several flights a day to Nouméa with Air Calédonie. Tickets are rather expensive but, the earlier, the cheaper. The aerodrome has minimal facilities, with toilets. No Wi-Fi, no ATM. No shuttle nor bus. Arrange a shuttle with your accommodation or rent a car (also to be arranged in advance). (updated Dec 2018)

Get around

There are no public transportation in Ouvéa. The island is too large to be walkable (almost 40 km from South West to North East), and perhaps too small to be done by car. The best option is probably by bicycle. The main road is in perfect condition.

By bicycle

Bicycle rental is expensive (often around 3000 F a day). The camping Le Petit corail rents bikes in good condition for 2000 F a day.

See

• 1 Soap factory (near the ferry terminal). Free. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Ouvéa memorial. Erected after the Ouvéa cave hostage-taking of 1988. Free. (updated Dec 2018)
• 3 Pont de Mouli. (updated Dec 2018)
• 4 Falaises de Lekiny. Impressive cliffs falling into turquoise water. (updated Dec 2018)
• 5 Trou bleu d'Hanawa. Free. (updated Dec 2018)

Do

• Swimming (except in the bay South from Pont de Mouli, where it is forbidden)

Buy

• 1 ATM (near the post office, in Fayaoué). (updated Dec 2018)

Eat

Self-catering is the best option; while New Caledonia is expensive, Ouvéa is even more. The only self-service convenience store is in the middle of the island, near the airport road. A few more non-self-service options exist, with almost empty shops selling a few dusty products imported from mainland France.

• 1 Alimentation Lomel (a few hundred meters south from the intersection of the main road and the airport road). The only decent option in Ouvéa. (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Bunaca Alimentation générale. Don't expect much here, but this is the only option in the North. Fresh bread. (updated Dec 2018)

Restaurant options are scarce, very expensive and perhaps not very good.

• 3 Le Beaupré (in the hotel of the same name). (updated Dec 2018)
• 4 Le Jardin d'Eden (in the Hotel Le Paradis d'Ouvéa). (updated Dec 2018)
• 5 Chez Marc. More a traditional fast-food than a proper restaurant (updated Dec 2018)

Drink

Water is in principle drinkable all over Ouvéa, but double check with your accommodation.

There is no bar nor proper café in Ouvéa.

Sleep

• 1 Le Petit corail (near the intersection of the main road and the airport road). (updated Dec 2018)
• 2 Hôtel Beaupré (a few hundred meters north east of the intersection of the main road and the airport road), ☏ +687 457094, +687 817813, reservationbeaupre@gmail.com. Free Wi-Fi. Snack, restaurant. From €130 per night. (updated Dec 2018)
• 3 Le Paradis d'Ouvéa (not in Ouvéa but in Mouli, at the far south west of the Ouvéa island). Several bars and restaurants. Swimming pool. Private beach. From 32,500 CFP.. (updated Dec 2018)

Ouvéa also features a dozen of in-tribe accommodation. Check for details.

Stay safe

The main danger is probably the sun.

Go next

• Lifou
• Maré
• Tiga
• Faiava