Vao: Village Church, Monument and Lagoon Views

Vao brings together a striking island history and places where culture and landscape come together. The church and the presbytery immediately to its right, which is a protected monument, the path up to Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette and Baie de Saint-Maurice offer different reasons to discover Vao: island history, a short climb with a view and a monument by the water.

Church and Scenic Path

The presbytery immediately to the right of Vao Church is a protected monument. A path leads from the church, passing it on the left, up to Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette. The climb takes about ten minutes and offers a view. This makes it easy to combine a visit to the church with a short walk to another viewpoint. If you like to divide your days between cultural experiences and a walk, this combination offers a specific starting point for planning.

Baie de Saint-Maurice: Remembrance and Lagoon Views

A monument at Baie de Saint-Maurice commemorates the arrival on the island of Fathers Goujon and Chatelut and the first Catholic service there, on 12 August 1848. The monument, with carved wooden totem poles, symbolises the harmony between the island's traditional beliefs and the Christian faith. From the bay, views stretch across the turquoise lagoon to Kutomo Island. History, cultural significance and landscape come together here in one named place.

Baie de Saint-Maurice and the monument are also included in Neutomo's guided minibus excursion. The tour also stops at Vao village church. On Île des Pins, Neutomo runs a half-day guided minibus excursion for friends or families in a vehicle with eight to nine seats. Participants learn about the island's eight tribes, as well as their myths and legends. Since the operation of a tour may change, check whether the excursion is currently available before planning.

Everyday Life and Excursions on L'île-Des-Pins

Depending on the day and time, Vao village has small shops, a local market or informal stalls. They may offer seasonal fruit, snacks, chilled water or homemade specialities. If you plan to rely on these options, bear in mind that they depend on the day and time.

Beyond Vao, the wider destination of L'île-Des-Pins offers further nature and cultural experiences. Baie d’Upi lies in the southeast of L’Île des Pins. Visitors can take a traditional outrigger canoe there, accompanied by a local piroguier. The skills involved in making and using traditional canoes are passed down from generation to generation. If you would like to explore the island with a guide, you could also consider tours by Kuu-Oro Transport: they visit natural and cultural attractions, departing from the wharf or the airfield. Reservations are recommended. Neutomo Excursions also offers guided island tours by minibus, introducing visitors to myths and legends.

Other destinations on L'île-Des-Pins include Piscine naturelle d'Oro, where visitors can relax and observe tropical fish with a mask, fins and snorkel, and Grotte d'Oumagne, better known as Grotte de la Reine Hortense. The latter is in the north of L’Île des Pins. To reach Grotte de la Troisième, drive along a long, narrow forest track; the ground from there to the entrance is very uneven. Check local access conditions, especially in wet weather.

When choosing your holiday rental, consider which experiences matter most: would you like to focus on Vao, with its church, path and Baie de Saint-Maurice, or include nature spots and tours on L'île-Des-Pins as well?

Discover more destinations: Nouméa, Bourail, Dumbéa, Yate, La Tontouta, Bouloupari, Plum, Sarraméa.

See the wider travel overview: South Province.