Falaises de Lekiny, Coastal cliffs in Ouvea, New Caledonia.
The Lekiny Cliffs are coastal rock formations on the eastern side of Ouvea island in New Caledonia, stretching several kilometers along the shore. Towering roughly 20 meters above the Pacific Ocean, the cliffs contain multiple natural caves carved into their faces.
The caves provided shelter during a disease outbreak on the island, after which they became regarded as sacred spaces. A major storm in 1953 prompted the construction of a memorial chapel in 1963 to honor those who had taken refuge there.
The cliffs take their name from a local community whose ancestors lived in caves along this coast for centuries. The landscape itself tells the story of how people adapted to life on the water's edge.
The best time to visit is at low tide, when you can walk along the base of the cliffs on foot, ideally with a local guide. At high tide, water-based access is possible but requires suitable conditions and swimming ability.
Deep within the caves sits a small chapel built in the 1960s, visible only to those who venture inside rather than staying on the cliff face. The structure blends spiritual purpose with a hidden architectural element that many visitors overlook.
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