| Bélep Archipelago (Dau Ar) | |
| Information | |
| Country |  New Caledonia |
|---|---|
| Region | North Province |
| Regional capital | Waala |
| Area | 69,5 km² |
| Population | 843 hab. (2014) |
| Density | 12,13 inhab./km² |
| Postal code | 98811 |
| Location | |
 19 ° 45 ′ 0 ″ S 163 ° 39 ′ 36 ″ E | |
THE'Bélep Archipelago is a region of New Caledonia.
Understand
The mountain range which forms Grande Terre extends to the north with emerged parts, to 40 km, these islands, sheltered from the Great North Lagoon, inscribed on a list of the World Natural Heritage of Humanity.
The island was a place of mission (1856), then of deportation (1878), then a leper colony (1912). From 1898, the Béléma, former inhabitants of the archipelago, were authorized to return to the Isle of Art.
Beginning in 1950, the former inhabitants of Pott Island redeemed their island and resettled.
The custom with the great chef Amabili Tiaoup Tin Wahoulo, in Waala, is a necessity and a pleasure.
Regions
- Art Island (Aar), Waala capital, villages of Pairomé, Eva, Wéaa, OOno.
- Pott Island, village of Pânan.
- Rocky islets Dos, north and south, uninhabited.
Cities
The district of Sainte-Marie concentrates public and commercial services. Rudy, the municipal leader and tourist coordinator, can be contacted at the town hall (47 54 53, [email protected]).
Other destinations
To go
By plane
In 35 ', four return trips per week, from Koumac (stopover for Koné and Nouméa), by Air Calédonie (47 53 90).
On a boat
Regular boat, in 3 h 30, from Koumac or Poum, on Tuesday and Friday, and more in southern summer, by Yalap Bélep SAS (42 57 74, [email protected]).
Private boat, from Boat Point (Poum) or any other pier.
To see
Do
- Hiking, on authorized trail, guide available: mount Tolé Munu (Art), mounts Purobuÿ and Kalidan (Art).
- Fishing with the fishermen of Waala (Roger: 97 78 07, Benjamin: 45 50 72, others).
- Meeting with people.
- Market every other Saturday, in the morning.
- Feast of Tazard, in August.
- Bélep dancers troupe.
Circulate
- Local vehicles, on land or sea.
- Taxis; Paul Bélep (86 92 76), Yvonic Thalé (47 23 39).
To buy
The archipelago has long lived almost in autarky, thanks to fishing in the lagoon: groupers, humpback parrots, tazards, dawas, salmon, etc. Seafood products are exported to Koumac for packaging. They were formerly the object of exchanges with clans of Grande Terre (vegetables, plants, meat, etc.).
Eat
Have a drink / Go out
Housing
All accommodations are by reservation.
Bed and breakfast and catering
- Alice Saint Anne,
687 81 38 22 - Adelaide and Dieudonné Poithili Saint Pierre (Na Kavé store), 687 47 64 04
- Pink Sainte Marie (Wély store), 687 81 18 64, 687 42 38 12
- Yvette Wahoulo Sainte Marie, 687 95 05 78, 687 70 91, 26
- Jocelyne Teamboueon Sainte Marie, 687 84 67 96
- Christian Poithili Niap – host table
Camping
- Delphin Bouanaoué Komian, Waala Bay, Holy Cross, 687 70 26 19
Around
Further north, the Entecasteaux Reefs, after the deep sea.
