Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

any easily accessible scenic outer island for snorkelling in Vanuatu?

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu

Hi there,
My friend and I will be travelling in Vanuatu on 15 Nov 2008 for 8 days.
We would like to spend a few days in Port Vila and will probably spend a few days in the outer island at some scenic relaxing beach, a bit of walking and most important snorkelling.
We are budget traveller and would like minimize our cost and maximize the pleasure like everybody does...
I guess flying probably the best option considering our short visit.
Can somebody recommend a scenic, non touristy, cheap and easily accessible outer island with nice coral rreef we can snorkel and some scenic bushwalking ?
It will be nice if we can hire a scooter to ride around the island as well.
cheers,
Eric

Champaigne Beach in Santo, staying at Lonnoc Beach Bungalows.
The best beach and the best coral I saw in Vanuatu!

Also reasonably priced by Vanuatu standards.

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Hi Laszlo,
Thank for info.
How much does it cost to fly from Vila to Santo ?
Do you think we can cover that considering we only have 8 days altogether ?
How easy is it to get to the Champaigne beach from the Santo airport?
cheers,
Macho

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With a few flights daily, Santo is just about the most accessible outer island in Vanuatu. It cost over 100 USD OW when I went - check.
Certainly doable with 8 days.
Getting to Champaigne Beach would be easy by hired taxi, otherwise, you get there by a daily truck - and a few kms walking!

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Hi

I just came back from Vanuatu and spent 3 nights on Pele island, just north off Efate, a beautiful little island, pristine beaches, great snorkelling outside your bungalow and a great place to experience the traditional culture. I stayed in Napanga Bungalow and had wonderful hospitality from Chief Talang and his wife including 3 meals per day. Very genuine, warm people, and I can see why they say it's the happiest place on the planet! Transport from Vila is a pickup truck from the truck stop in Chinatown leaving Mon to Fri between 12.30 and 1.30pm. Costs 500 vt one way to get to Emua Wharf in North Efate and the boat across is about 500 vt. Phone Chief Talang to book from Vila, tel: 27113 or mobile: 5418410. It cost 6,000 vt per night for 2 of us including meals.

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