Lifou's main draws are natural: cliffs, caves, coral, and beaches. The Jokin Cliffs on the northeast coast are the most dramatic sight on the island — fossilized coral formations rising up to 60 meters above the sea, with views down the coast that are hard to beat. The protected Jinek Bay Marine Reserve, on the west coast, is widely regarded as one of the best snorkeling sites in the Pacific.
For something quieter, the Xodre Cliffs in the south offer the same drama with none of the crowds, and the Luengoni Caves hide freshwater pools in the limestone behind one of Lifou's prettiest beaches. The Notre Dame de Lourdes Chapel above Easo is a short walk and an outstanding viewpoint. To meet the people who make the island work, arrange a tour of one of the family-run vanilla plantations.