Lifou Island, New Caledonia

Our last stop in New Caledonia was the tiny island of Lifou population 9000 people. Lifou is a commune of France in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia in the Pacific Ocean.

We were told before we arrived that there was a beach right by the tender stop and that was basically it. So I put Erik in charge of the day- he found a private beach where you could pay or make a donation and be allowed to use that beach. We tendered to shore- always SO much fun! And walked off. Erik assured me it was “just over there past a hill”… I was skeptical so being that there are zero taxis there Erik and I approached a local woman with a baby seat in her back seat and a broken front window covered in red duct tape and asked if she’d drive Luse and I while the others walked! Sure no problem.

We drove a little further than “just over the hill” only to find a MASSIVE orange netted block aid and guarded by two very large local men who told us it was private now. No donation was getting us to that beach! Our local driver flipped a u and took us back to the original beach. We found a tree and like the day before set up camp with our blankets. Erik didn’t think there would be much fish life so we all made our way to the beach with just our reef shoes and we’re shocked by the amount of fish. Erik went back up to get our snorkel stuff and WOW! The coral was gorgeous- greys/blues and bright purples. The fish were 100 times more that Langmere island. Dozens of different fish and I even found a live area of coral where the fish would swim into and out of. It was living and breathing. But there was so much coral you couldn’t have even tried to walk without reef shoes and as the tide started to recede the coral got closer to the surface and it started to become dangerous. I got my face on a big coral pile and Dre’s legs go cut to shreds. Blood in the water didn’t seem like a great idea… as all I could think was jaws was around waiting to swim in. But it was incredible- I’ve never ever seen so many different fish! I don’t think I’ll ever be brave enough to scuba but snorkeling has worked out for me so far. And I love it! That sun and swim will wear anyone out so after stopping for a fresh coconut juice and Lifou island magnets we headed back to our tender.

My heart breaks for the security team in their suit and ties in the sweltering heat and someone at MSC needs to make a change and give these guys a “hot weather” uniform- because it’s painful to watch!!! We now have 2 sea days, lost another hour back and will arrive Saturday at Alotau, Papau New Guinea for a day and yes- I’ve already booked our group tour! More to come! Xo Sam