Belep Islands

The Belep Islands, located at the northern tip of New Caledonia, are a destination for true explorers. The largest island, Art Island, is home to the only settlement, Waala, where daily life is governed by ancestral Kanak customs. As there is no formal tourism infrastructure like hotels, visits are usually made by private yachts or infrequent domestic flights. The landscape is raw and untouched, featuring rugged hills and a coastline shielded by massive coral reefs. Local life revolves around fishing and yam cultivation, highlighting the residents' spiritual connection to the land and sea. Visitors are expected to observe the 'Coutume,' a traditional protocol involving a respectful introduction to the tribal chiefs. There are no public restaurants, so visitors must be self-sufficient or rely on local hospitality. The waters surrounding Belep are renowned as some of the most productive fishing grounds in the territory. The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to October. Reaching the islands is a logistical challenge but gives an authentic experience far removed from mainstream Pacific tourism. The archipelago serves as a vital sanctuary for rare bird species and endemic flora adapted to the drier northern climate. It remains a place of profound silence and enduring traditional values.

Nearby cities

Dumbéa

Dumbéa is a rapidly growing suburb of Nouméa and part of the Great Nouméa metropolitan area.

Kone Economic Pole

Kone has developed into the primary economic hub of the North Province.

Koné

Koné is the capital of the North Province and a vital center for the nickel industry in the north.

Thio

Thio is considered the cradle of nickel mining in New Caledonia, located on the southeast coast.

Païta Pioneer District

Païta is known for its history as the first major settlement outside Nouméa.

Païta

Païta is located west of Nouméa and hosts the territory's primary international airport.

Koumac

Koumac is a key service center in the far north of the main island, Grande Terre.

Koumac Old Village

A historic mining and agricultural center in the north.

Kouaoua

Kouaoua is a mining town on the east coast famous for having one of the world's longest conveyor belts.

Houaïlou

Houaïlou is a town on the east coast known for its lychee cultivation and mining tradition.

Poindimié

Poindimié is the most important economic and administrative center on the northeast coast of the main island.

Canala

Canala is a historical center of nickel mining on the east coast of New Caledonia.

Pouembout

Pouembout is a growing town in the North Province, closely linked to the development of Koné.

Voh Pioneer History

Famous for the 'Heart of Voh', the commune also has a rich history of coffee farming and early European settlement.

Voh

Voh is a northern commune world-famous for a natural heart shape within its mangroves.

History & landmarks

Koné City Hall

The city hall of Koné is the administrative center of the North Province of New Caledonia.

More places

Ouvéa

Ouvéa is a stunning coral atoll in the Loyalty Islands featuring a 25-kilometer long sandy beach.

Bélep

Bélep is a remote archipelago in the far north of New Caledonia with a rich fishing tradition.

🗺️

Poum Historical Mining

The northern tip of the island, where mining history was shaped by the extraction of copper and other minerals.

🗺️

Poum Church

The northernmost church on the main island of Grande Terre serves the small community in the Poum region.

Poum Mining Site

Poum in the far north is a significant area for nickel extraction.