Île des Pins

The araucaria or cook pine is the defining feature of Île des Pins: tall, straight-trunked and candelabra-branched at the crown, it grows right down to the waterline on the island's southern tip, and from the sea approaching the island the pines give the coastline the look of a giant's lost comb, teeth set against the Pacific horizon, making the island visually unmistakable in the region.

The island is small enough to walk or cycle around in a day, and the pleasure of it is intimate rather than monumental: you move between a handful of bays, each with its own character, from the broad pale sweep of Kuto beach on the west coast to the more sheltered and almost landlocked harbour of Kanua on the east, and the difference between the wind-battered open ocean beaches and the calm turquoise shallows of the inland sea is remarkable.

At the southernmost point the island narrows dramatically into a ridge called L'Île, where the pines crowd in to the cliff edge and the surf breaks continuously on the outer reef, creating a dramatic and windswept landscape entirely different from the sheltered bays on the north side, with sea birds working the updraft along the cliffs.

The natural swimming pools of Oro are the island's most famous feature: a series of rock-pool basins carved into the volcanic shore where the sea pushes through narrow channels, producing warm, clear, turquoise pools teeming with reef fish that are entirely visible in the shallow water, creating an experience that is part natural aquarium and part natural spa.

Snorkelling in the pools is safe and accessible for all ages, and the experience of floating in warm clear water surrounded by coral heads while tropical birds call from the overhanging branches is one of the quietest and most satisfying in the Pacific, far removed from the built attractions of larger island destinations.

The surrounding reefs are in better health than many in New Caledonia, and boat trips to outer reef sites from Île des Pins give access to healthy coral, reef sharks and large schools of pelagic fish, making the island a credible base for both relaxation and serious underwater exploration without the crowding of more accessible sites.

The island has several small guest houses and a couple of small hotels; most visitors come for two or three nights from Nouméa on the ferry or a short flight, and the pace of life is deliberately slow, with the emphasis on walking, swimming, snorkelling and watching the pines cast long afternoon shadows over the reef flat.

The araucaria pines at the island's southern tip create a visually distinctive Pacific landscape unlike anywhere else.

The Oro natural swimming pools are a unique and accessible marine experience, safe for children and remarkable for adults.

The island has some of the healthiest reef environments in the New Caledonia lagoon system and offers excellent snorkelling and diving away from the main tourist routes.