2025 Ilot Maitre Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

#celebrateit If you’re looking for a paradise with a mixture of history, Amedee Lighthouse is a must visit. You can take a 40 minute boat ride from Noumea and you can see the towering 56m lighthouse. Get ready for the hike up as the 247 steps is worth it for the breathtaking panoramic views of the turquoise waters from above. Go on to relax on the beach or snorkel with beautiful marine life. You can also enjoy a delicious Oceanic feast with a Polynesian dance show that was quite fascinating. This is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.

Nouméa is the capital of New Caledonia, combining the passion of the South Pacific with French romance. The average annual temperature is 20–26°C, making it warm and comfortable, and suitable for travel all year round. ✈️ Attractions • Tjibaou Cultural Center: A masterpiece by Italian architect Renzo Piano, the center incorporates the curved structure of traditional Kanak houses into a modern style. The image of an unfinished house symbolizes the constant evolution of culture, making it a great place to learn about the local indigenous culture. 🌳 • Amédée Lighthouse: A 40-minute boat ride away, the lighthouse has 247 cast iron steps. From the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the island. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, and you can encounter amazing marine creatures while snorkeling. • Aquarium des Lagons: Small but wonderful, the aquarium has three floors, 33 tanks, and 500,000 liters of water, showcasing a wide variety of corals, fish, crustaceans, and other marine life, as well as marine animals unique to New Caledonia. 🐟 Food • French cuisine: French pastries such as baguettes, crepes, and macarons are crispy and sweet. Paired with rich cheese and mellow wine, they are a French treat for the taste buds. 🎨 • Seafood feast: Located in the Pacific Ocean, Nouméa is rich in seafood, including lobster, oysters, and grouper. Whether baked in French style or simply steamed, they are all delicious. 🦞 • Special Bougna: Fish, chicken, vegetables, and coconut milk are wrapped in banana leaves and baked on stones. The dish has a unique aroma and rich taste. Tips • Currency: The currency is the Pacific franc. You can exchange money at the airport or city banks. Some stores accept credit cards, but it is recommended to bring cash to remote areas. 🪙 • Language: The official language is French. Simple French is more convenient for communication, as English is not widely spoken. • Customs: Respect local customs, especially Kanak cultural traditions. Ask for permission before taking photos.

I recently stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort, and I was blown away by the experience. I just had to share it with you all! 🏝️ Island environment Stepping onto Ilot Maitre feels like entering a paradise. The resort is surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the South Pacific, with the sea changing from light blue to deep blue, so clear you can see the fish swimming. The island is lush with vegetation, swaying coconut palms, and a tropical vibe. Every step you take, you can smell the fresh scent of grass and trees, instantly healing your body and mind. 🏨 Hotel facilities The quality of DoubleTree by Hilton is as good as ever. The rooms are spacious and bright, with a decor that combines local features with a modern minimalist style. Open the window, and you have an unbeatable sea view. The private balcony is equipped with a lounge chair, perfect for relaxing in the sea breeze and watching the sunset. The hotel pool is huge, with clear water. When you're tired of swimming, you can relax under a parasol by the pool with a cocktail. The children's play area is well-equipped, so parents don't have to worry about their kids getting bored. 🍱 Dining experience The food here is amazing! The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including local seafood dishes. The freshly caught fish is simply cooked, tender, juicy, and full of flavor. There are also a variety of international dishes, with desserts that are beautifully presented and have a delicate texture. One bite and you'll be in heaven. Breakfast is also plentiful, with freshly baked bread and local fruit to start your day off right. 💆‍♀️ Service and activities The hotel staff are warm and attentive, and you can feel their care from check-in to check-out. The resort also offers a variety of water activities, including snorkeling, surfing, and kayaking. I went snorkeling, and when I dived into the sea, I was able to see the colorful coral reefs and tropical fish up close, as if I was in an underwater fairy tale. If you're looking for a romantic and relaxing island vacation, the DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort is the perfect choice! Come and start your dream island vacation here~

It took less than 20 minutes by water taxi to get there. A wonderful resort island 🏝️ You can go around the island in just under an hour. The island is surrounded by coral reefs, so the sea is shallow and coral reefs are scattered throughout the resort 🪸 The water is extremely clear and I even encountered a sea turtle while snorkeling 🐢🏖️ The waves were calm, so it was great for relaxing on the beach. There are hotels with overwater cottages, but you can also enjoy it on a day trip. 😊 You can buy drinks at the hotel bar and there is a water area, so it was very convenient.

📍🇳🇨New Caledonia, Maitre Island, Hilton Noumea If you're in New Caledonia, stay here! All Japanese people love the reliable Hilton! As expected from the Hilton group, even though it's an island🏝️ there's not a single bug in the room, let alone dust! There were a lot of bugs at Le Meridien, so I was impressed when I stayed there after. It takes about 20 minutes by ferry from Noumea mainland to Maitre Island, where the Hilton is located. The whole island feels like the Hilton's grounds. It was so beautiful that I forgot to breathe and I even saw a sea turtle🐢🩷 #0yentrip #ahiruchan_trip #overseastrip

New Caledonia is worth the visit - so amazing. Its proximity to Australia makes for an incredibly convenient trip when wanting to take a quick break from East coast cities like Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane (which all enjoy direct service to Noumea…) the fact that the territory is a part of France allows for a sophisticated and familiar ambience, for those who have travelled in Metropolitan France before

Amédée Lighthouse 🇳🇨 #familytrip #holiday_mood #newyearadventure

Hilton hotel was so great 😁 #New caledonia #doubletreehilton

In New Caledonia, even if you have traveled to Matsushima, dont miss Amedee Island, which has only one lighthouse. This is a 40-minute boat ride from the center of Noumea. An ancient lighthouse called the symbol of New Caledonia, so it is more often called "Lighthouse Island". The lighthouse is not big, and it takes less than 20 minutes to walk around the beach. But every corner is full of laughter and sunshine. At noon, you can walk into the shade of the trees while enjoying traditional island entertainment while enjoying a sumptuous seafood buffet accompanied by a wide range of complimentary wines and mouth-watering French desserts. Like water sports, snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, standing paddle boards and many other equipment can be rented. As for the young artists, you can be in the world's smallest post office - Amedee Lighthouse Post Office Send a postcard with a beacon postmark to go home. The clearing of the lagoon and the sea can be seen on the lighthouse. The lagoons in New Caledonia are mostly separated by coral reefs and separated from the outer sea by semi-enclosed waters, so there is clear water. It is not as rough as the sea. The white waves are blocked out, and the entire lighthouse island is surrounded by a glazed sea of water... One afternoon is enough to fall in love with this island. If you dont have to go back to work, who wouldnt want to live in such a holiday paradise It.