Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu, an archipelago shaped like a Y, has 83 islands that should be on every bucket lists. With 83 tropical islands floating in the warm waters of the South Pacific, Vanuatu is one of the most varied island destinations in Paradise.

An image of the South Pacific is not complete without picturing the bright blue waters of the Pacific, and with over 2500 km of coastline, it is not surprising that Vanuatu is home to several breath-taking beaches. The best beach in Vanuatu is considered to be Champagne Beach, where the sand is absurdly white, and where any troubles you have appear to have magically disappeared. Let us face it, when you are thinking of vacationing in the South Pacific Islands, that picture of the perfect white-sand beach is what comes first.

Working out on the sunbathes of Port Vila is definitely a nice way to pass the days, but there is so much more beauty beyond Vanuatu’s biggest hotels. Ratua Private Island is Erapa, a beach resort hidden away some 40 minutes outside of Port Vila.

Post office under the sea

At Hideaway Island, a popular place to go snorkelling right off the Port Vila coastline, you will not only find massive schools of reef fish, eels, rays, and colourful corals, but an underwater post box maintained by Vanuatu Post. In any event, the only underwater post office in the world happens to be right here in Vanuatu, right out on Hideaway Islands tropical reef. The island archipelago of Vanuatu is mostly uninhabited, except by travellers who fly in or cruise in here to explore its golden beaches, trek through its remote jungles, and snorkel its crystal waters. Hideaway Island, located 100 m off Mele Beach, is not all that hidden, but it is one of the places in Vila beloved for snorkelling, diving, or just lunching in an island resort (non-guests are allowed into the marine park before 4pm).

Snorkelling Safaris

Day-trippers are welcome to Hideaway Island for the snorkelling safaris and the snorkelling. You can snorkel wherever you like on the mystery island, guaranteed to see some fish. A couple of local guides on the docks provide brief boat tours around Mystery Island if you are not willing to be soaked. If you are not an avid swimmer, however, you can enjoy a nice walk around Mystery Island for 1 or 2 hours.

Day trippers can swim and snorkel on a shallow, sandy beach, kayak on the island of Eyrakor, or dine in the Aqua restaurant (day-long meals are available with an allowance). A free ferry leaves usually out front of the beach bar, and once you are on Hideaway Island, you can go snorkelling at a marine preserve, enjoy a diving tour, and mail yourself a waterproof postcard at the only submarine postal facility in the world. There are direct flights from major Australian cities to Port Vila, Vanuatu s capital in Efate Island. Canoe tours operate from Malekulas Lamap Point to Gaspard Bay (there is a small airport at Lamap, and Air Vanuatu operates flights directly from Port Vila).

You will probably visit Efate on a trip to Vanuatu, since it is the island home of Port Vila, the capital. Outside the capital of Port Vila, Efate is a bit laid-back, with some of the rural lifestyles that you see in the other islands. Prices are lower here compared to other islands in the Pacific since the Vanuatu archipelago is still a tourist hotspot. The capital city of Port Vila is used for receiving international tourists and getting around Vanuatu is simple.

Port Vila – the Capital

Port Vila is the busiest city of Vanuatu and has a huge variety of tourism and adventure activities, various excellent restaurants, bars, supermarkets, banks, and markets. Most hotels (particularly those mentioned here, both in Port Vila, as well as Isla Espiritu Santo, which is intact) and tourism businesses are now open, meaning that there has never been a better time to visit Vanuatu, and to sustain yourself just having fun. With its blue lagoons, shipwrecks, and dramatic beaches, it is surprising that more people have not visited Vanuatu.

With 83 uninhabited islands and more than 1,000 languages spoken, Vanuatu is amazingly diverse. The Archipelago of Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands offering amazing tropical views, vibrant landscapes, dense tropical forests, world-class diving, plenty of fish, and memorable Pacific hospitality. The waters of Vanuatu are mild at 22-28C (72-82F) year-round, so you really get to enjoy this island paradise anytime.

The Diving spot

There is even a blue hole on the Malo island south of Espiritu Santo -- the perfect spot to go diving. While these impressive swim spots are found all over Vanuatu, some of the bests are located on Espiritu Santo island, however, there are still a couple great ones close to Port Vila. On distant islands scattered across the archipelago, you will find roaring volcanoes, sugar-white beaches, coral reefs, remote waterfalls, and vast plains of volcanic ash.