How early to book accomodation & flights?

Hi,

I've decided to go to Vanuatu in late Feb with my boyfriend and I was wondering how early do we need to book accomodation and internal flights? We're planning on going to Tanna & Espiritu Santo. Can we book flights at the last minute (a week before)? Or does Air Vanuatu fill up quickly? For accomodation we're looking at something mid-range, doesn't have to be fancy but something a bit private - so not a backpacker's.

Thanks for the replies.

Hi,

If you are flying out from Brisbane or Sydney, Air Vanuatu offers direct flights to Santo. If you want to go to Tanna you will have to stop in at Port Vila. A week should be fine for domestic flights. The international flights sometimes can fill up quite quick. Hope this helps

African_Australian

Air Vanuatu raises its prices a little one month before departure and a little more one week before. These dates vary a little if the flight is very full or empty. Wednesday is typically the quietest day. Try these guys for an all in package.
http://www.specialistholidays.com.au/packages.php?d_id=2

Vanuatu has not been too busy so far this year and there are plenty of bargains to be had. Here are three in the mid range bracket including breakfast for two. All are well below regular price.

Moorings AUD90 - on the edge of town overlooking Fatumaru Bay, swim in the bay or the pool, easy walk to town, plenty of buses at the door
Melanesian AUD111 - on the hill above town near the museum, car rental, supermarket, plenty of buses, good pool, huge breakfast
Breakas AUD149 - out of town in Pango, this is a bure without view not a room, huge beach, pool, sometimes surf, diving, beautiful quiet village, occasional buses

More details here:
http://www.wotif.com/search/Advanced?AMP_CHAR=%26&viewType=all&page=3&country=VU&mapRequested=false&region=3639&isoCurrencyCode=AUD&adults=0&children=0&child1Age=1&child2Age=1&child3Age=1&child4Age=1&child5Age=1&child6Age=1&child7Age=1&child8Age=1&child9Age=1

I have been to Vanuatu 3 times now. I have never been on a full flight. I usually book the first night's accommodation and then I book as I go - sometimes giving as little as a couple of hours notice or just showing up. I've never had any trouble getting a place to stay. And have sometimes even negotiated better rates.

Hi,
As you are going to Santo and Tanna I won't recommend the spot we went to in Port Vila.

Tanna - we stayed at Rocky Ridge Bungalows their web address is rockyridgebungalows.wordpress.com/
it is small (only three bungalows) private and right opposite the "blue hole 2" Their beautiful gardens sufferred
considerable damage in last weeks cyclone but the rooms were undamaged (thankfully, as I was in one of them!)

I am not qualified to comment on when to book except to say the flights were full both ways to Tanna.
Send me a PM if you need any more info.

Thanks for all the info. Booked domestic flights a few days ago with no trouble. Accommodation wasn't a problem either, but the reply rate from emails was a bit low (though I was expecting a bit of that with 'island time').

I'll post a reply when we get back about how it went.