First trip to Vanuatu

Hi All, I have just purchased tickets for myself and husband to fly to Vanuatu in November. We will be there for 7 nights. We haven't been before but want to enjoy the sun and do some snorkelling and swimming. As we are not familiar with this area we need advise on which part of Vanuatu would best suit us (an Island or main land) and any good accomodation tips. Look forward to hearing your ideas. Thanks

Well, one week is a very short time, so I could basically think of two worthwhile options, depending on your interests and comfort requirements.

1. If you want the usual upper scale resort living with shopping and eating out in a (small!) city, base yourself at one of the island resorts near Vila like Erakor or Hideaway.
Using these as a base, you could do a round-island tour of Efate one day, and if you still want just a bit more exotic experience, a day-trip or overnight trip by air to Tanna, where you could see very traditional villages and an active volcano.
All this would be a rather touristy experience, of course.

2. If you prefer something more "authentic" and less touristy, limit your stay in Vila for a night or two. Don't bother with snorkelling, just see the few sights like the museum, the market and do your shopping. All this is best done just before flying home.
Spend the bulk of your time on Santo, the country's biggest island, readily accessible by air from Vila.
On Santo itself, spend a day or two seeing the sights around its main town Lugainville, which is very relaxed/low-key. Its sights include snorkelling spots among WWII relics.
Then spend 3 days at Lonnoc Beach Bungalows, which are truly idyllic, and offer far better beaches or snorkelling than anything you'd find near Vila, plus good, clean, though somewhat basic accomodation. Forget nightlife and shopping here!

Hi there,

My hubby, lucky me, took me to Vanuatu as a surprise. I agree with Laszlo. Another option though, if you wish to stay on the main island is to have a look at White Sands Resort. It is very very reasonable, located in a very quite location, runs a bus into town and is located within a former coconut plantation. The resort also boasts a golf course and one of the only beaches in mainland Vanuatu that any hotel has. You can of course swim and snorkel there as well. Maybe not as good as Lonnoc of course. However it depends on how much snorkelling you do.

We found Whitesands very laid back, basic, very reasonable, but I think our trip (in AUD$) with the airfares cost about $800 for a week. No food or drinks of course, only breakfast.

Hideaway, in my opinion is only a short boat ride away from the mainland and is far more basic than WhiteSands Resort. However it is good for snorkelling and swimming.

Vila itself town is interesting for shopping. Casino isn't that great.

Thaks for replying Laszlo and Shazp. Well we have spent the last few days checking out the places you have suggested on the net. Tanna Island sound beautiful but have decided out of our price range. WE have decided to either stay on hideaway or maybe Erakor (also looking at Poppy's). One thing I have discovered through searching is the cruises. We have decided to do a one day cruise. Any ideas on which one. Wanting snorkelling and a look around.
Shazp have searched for Whitesands resort and havent come up with anything. Is it called Breaka's! Thanks for your help and look forward to your reply's.

Breakas is up market and close to town - on the Pango road. very lovely area - don't know too much about the snorkelling. It's fairly close to Erakor so should be about the same? Whitesands is more basic and a long way out of town. I don't remember it being close to the beach either - certainly no good for snorkelling, or anything bar golf as far as I could see. It may have gone broke? Hideaway has a range of accommodation levels and is perfect if you want a snorkelling holiday but not much else to do and a bit difficult for going clubbing and dining in town. Erakor is a larger resort, has slightly better transport to town (a dryfoot ferry!), classier restaurant and probably more night-entertainment. You could divide your week and spend half on Erakor, half on hideaway, half on Erakor. Since they're at opposite ends of town you'd get a good feel for Port Vila at least.