Fun things to do in Vanuatu

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For a unique experience travel to the mystical island of Ambrym from the capital Port Vila and be greeted by your transport to the village of Endu Pehakul where you will truely experience life in Vanuatu. Chief Mael Moses is the most hospitable man and will show you around his unspoilt natural village - its like stepping back in time. The locals will take you to some of the local sights such as the beautiful waterfall or for the more adventurous you can organise a trip to the twin volcanos (this involves a moderate fitness level due to the need to walk quite a distance) The locals will provide a traditional feast and magic show for your enjoyment. The spectacular Rom Dance is performed by chosen men who danced originally for celebrations and village events. Mystique surrounds the educational process to become a Rom dancer who go off to learn to make the mask and learn the specific dances. Flights to Ambrym are every few days so an over night stay in a traditional house will be required unless you have a group booking and can charter a same day flight. For the expereince of a lifetime contact Chief Mael Moses and arrange your visit to this beautiful island

If you get the chance then do the tour of Lelepa Island. Our tour guides for Lelepa Island were Albert and Brownie. Both guys were really helpful and looked after our group really well. We did some snorkelling, swimming, walked through the jungle, looked in caves, relaxed on the beach, visited a village etc. It really is a must see tour if you have a few days in Vanuatu...

Our two guides, picked us up, and we drove over the rainforest hills, about 35 minutes from Port Vila. There was only us that day, so we had the full attention of the older man and his young assistant.
We cruised out into the blue and green tropical landscape, stopping by caves which were used for hiding from warring tribes or cyclones. The guide lit candles along the path as we got deeper and I discovered a sense of claustrophobia I didn't know I had. Must be my age!
So we turned back casually, back in the boat, and came to a spot for snorkelling.
It was Pristine. A postcard dreaming......and we spent an hour following the abundance of colourful fish, and to our delight the little angel fish, made famous in Nemo animation.
For a mature-age snorkelling novice this was a fantastic introduction to snorkelling, and I knew it would be a must do wherever I went in the future.

On the ship there was always something happening, never a dull moment indeed. Kim and I just loved the dress-up nights, they were so much fun. And when there wasnt a dress-up night, it was always just as much fun getting all tarted up just to go down for tea!

This pic was on one of those dress-up nights - it was "Hula Night" and we had a ball!

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Kim and I were soooooooooooo excited about our trip! We had saved long and hard, and even the plane trip up to Sydney from Melbourne to board the ship was exciting - our first time in Sydney. We did not know what was in store for us on the ship - but we just knew we were gonna have a good time! Little did I know I was gonna find a husband!

This is us about to board the ship in Sydney.

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Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is a small coral atoll that's about as close as you'll get to a Robinson Crusoe island escape in the South Pacific. To best enjoy this place, snorkelling is a must! We visited this place on our own, but to had to haggle with a cab driver to take us to this place and then to Cascades Waterfalls and cost us $150 for the entire day - from pick up at the port and back for the four of us (2 adults and our 2 boys-20 and 11).

This Melanesian style resort is the custodian of one of Vanuatu's only marine sanctuaries. Coral reefs ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving right from the shore are fantastic! The weather as usual was a stinker but as long as you are in the water, you're right, almost!

The taxi van took us first to Mele Bay where we rode a motorised boat to get to Hideaway Island. It was just a short trip, less than 15 minutes.

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The most famous place in Luganville is its blue hole, the water being really blue, caused by limestones in the water according to our local guide.

The trip here was booked through our cruise ship's onshore excursion desk so all we needed to do was wait for our van to pick us up and take us there. It was part of the norther seaside and blue hole tour of the ship. It was pretty expensive but it was our first day ashore so we booked it as we didn't have much time to research about other options then.

Others on the ship went about Luganville on their own but we were just happy to do this one as the weather was really hot and humid that day. We were told during June and July the weather would be not as hot!

The blue hole is a good half an hour from the northern side of Luganville, and about one and a half hour from our embarkation point.

Being the largest such feature on Santo,the blue hole is about 50 metres across and 18 metres deep. On sunny days it does reflect the brightest azure colour you'll ever see, simply stunning!

The waters were quite cool so it was a welcome relief to the heat when we first gpt dropped off at the northern side. The roads leading here are quite bumpy and dusty but it was still worth it! Views of coconut trees and other flora and fauna of Vanuatu are also refreshing. It is amazing the locals have kept their environment pristine and clean, it is a testament to their love of nature which we should emulate!

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Marketplaces are great in South Pacific islands in general, but they are especially good in Vanuatu.
If it's lunchtime, you will find little stalls where a lady will prepare excellent kaekae for you: rice and meat, lap-lap, fried bananas or manioca chips, roasted kumala potatoes. It is also the places for a coffe-and-milk with buttered bread.
Fruit is plentiful: paw-paw, grapefruit (GIANT grapefruits), delicious little bananas; all sorts of vegetables; livestocks and - yes - giant bats if that's your thing.
If souvenirs is what you're looking for, never mind the shops, go market! Wood and sandstone carvings, baskets (that is: bags), tshirts, lava-lava, necklaces, and so on....
Girls can get their hair beaded for 1500 vt (10 euros).