BigBopper is referring to the black and white sea snakes which are actually used to promote tourism.

Basically, I never saw any at the Noumea or Isle of Pines properties but they are everywhere at the Amadee Island lighthouse, a daytrip to which is the number one excursion from Noumea.

If I'd never visited French Polynesia or New Caledonia I would pick French Polynesia anyway, because Bora Bora and Moorea are by far the world's two most beautiful islands. Anyone who goes there after visiting the Caribbean invariably finds themselves saying "I can't believe I wasted my time going to St Thomas / Antigua / Jamaica before".

French Polynesia is the world's greatest tropical vacation destination, but if you've been there, done that you will find that Le Meridien Isle of Pines is a delightful surprise, and that Le Meridien Noumea is better than any Hawaiian Starwood too.