Anything that  you heard about isolated pacific island, remote tropical  places, mysterious sea  landscape are true. We found all of that and more in the tiny island of Niue.

Where?

About midway between the Cook Islands and Tonga, let’s say 19 degrees South and 169 degrees West. In other world pretty much in the middle of nowhere…

What?

The largest elevated coral atoll in the world. In short just one big piece of coral (bigger than Singapore) sitting 20m above the sea, like a strange tropical pancake.

Who?

Just under 1200 Niueans live there . This is one of the smallest independent countries in the world.  New Zealand is helping out but the country has its own elected officials and a parliament. Niueans were 5000 just a few years ago but most of them have immigrated to New Zealand. In fact there is more than 2000 abandoned houses on the island. And like in most other places in the Pacific,  people are truly nice and friendly

What so special?

The strange geological formations have created an endless series of caves/chasm/pool all around the island. Everywhere you go you see  giant caves and spectacular cliffs. Think “Gorge du Verdon meets Falaise d’Etretat” all that with coral rocks (some spectacular purple colors!) and tropical fish everywhere…

Also special is the diving here. Because there is no rivers flowing into the sea, the visibility is completely unbelievable. Once under water you can easily see as far as 80m. And what a show!  I am sure Ferdinand will relate our diving excursions in a new blog but Ferdi and I have voted Nuie second best diving spot in the Pacific (right after “Faka south”).

Our local time here is GMT minus 11 hours. Meaning that the next time change will request that we go forward one day as we will be crossing the date line. But I promise that there is no jet lag on board Noeluna.

Long live  Niue! 

Matthieu