Lifou Island (We) : Profile

Location

Lifou is the principal island of the Loyalty Group, and is a nice stopover on the route from Port Vila to Noumea.

We, the island's capital is on the East coast, and is most convenient for boats coming from that direction. The North and West sides offer beautiful sandy beaches and good snorkeling. The local people are friendly and make you feel welcome.

Clearance

We Marina can handle temporary formalities as a Port of Entry. Yachts should contact the Marina Manager (Capitaine de Port) on arrival and arrange berthing inside the small marina. Customs formalities can be handled here but you will still need to contact Customs (Douanes) when you arrive in Noumea later.

Customs (Douanes) allow you to clear in here ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DECLARE. If you have to declare animals, guns, merchandise that will be off loaded, ... then the ONLY port you can clear in is in Noumea.

Immigration formalities can only be carried out in Noumea but yachts are normally allowed 3 days to get there. If you wish to spend more time than this in the Loyalties in order to visit Mare and/or Ouvea, it is possible to either fly to Noumea or go by ferry to make the full entry in person, or pay for an Immigration official (PAF) to come to Lifou to clear you in (several boats can share the cost).

Last updated November 2009.

Docking

The marina at Port We is very well sheltered. There are also several protected anchorages on the north and west coasts of the island.

Lifou Marina (Marina de We)
BP 50 - 98820 Lifou
Tel:(+687) 45 10 62, Fax:(+687) 45 10 59, VHF Channel 67
marinawe@laposte.net
Opening Hours: 06:00-10:00, 14:00-18:00 (daily)
42 berths. Max.length 18m, max. draft 2.5m.

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