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This is the center of Shini Beach on the 3km (each way) 5 beach trek on the Island of Mare in the Loyalty Islands. It's really only a short distance from the hotel and the road that goes around Mare but you'd think you were on a deserted island. Soft white sand, sparkling clear blue lagoon, towering pine trees and coconut trees. It is the perfect place to just flake out on the sand and tune into nature at her finest.
This is one of the few unguided walks in Mare and it goes from the beach in front of the Nengone Village Hotel Loyalty Islands through a forest of 30 to 40 meter tall New Caledonia Pines to a three lovely untrammeled beaches - then along a zig-zag trail behind Cape Wabao (where you can get temporarily lost) to emerge onto Pede Beach.
The whole walk is detailed on the Rocket Guide to New Caledonia along with information about staying in Mare and things to do there.
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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.
