Itinerary advice for 3 weeks Vanuatu

Hello again!
The more research we do, the more things we would like to include in our 3 weeks trip to Vanuatu from mid November till mid Dezember ;-)). We know- sometimes less is more, but on the other side we don't know, if we are ever able to return.So- after initially thinking only travelling to the main islands (Efate-Tanna-Santo) and seeing some great pictures on flickr hivemind, we would like to include Malekula and Epi, perhaps even Ambry as well. The decision how to make a good itinerary, how long to stay on the islands and if it really makes sense to include all is more then difficult for us. We skipped already the boat option ( thanks in between for all the replies on the last post) and would now appreciate again your help in finding the "best" travel plan. We are into nature and culture, we don`t need to have the perfect beach, but nice snorkelling ( Dugongs?) would be great, we prefer basic huts to resorts and public bus or scooter to organized tours.
The "in the moment plan" is:
3 nights Efate, 4 nights Tanna, 4 nights Santo, 4 nights Malekula ( flying into Norsup, taking the truck down to Lamap), 3 nights Epi (Lamen Bay, taking again the truck down to Valedir) , 3 nights Efate. So any ideas, thoughts and suggestions for how long to stay on those islands and so on- are highly appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance.... take care Sandra

Edited by: kanyakumarin

Hi Sandra,
I`ve been to Vanuatu last March,and that was the end of the rainy season.As far as I know,December is a bit more rainy.I´m only saying that because when I went to book flights to the outer islands,there was not too much choice after some flight cancellations,due to bad waether.I ,more or less ,had to take what there was available.It seemed you can´t exactly fly wherever you want to on any choosen day, easily.

I ended up staying on Santo,Epi and Ambrym.

I liked Malo,a smaller island off Santo,good reef and snorkelling,very nice people.Million Dollar Point,too, was interesting.I didn´t make it to Santo´s east coast,sounds and looks nice though.Santo is full of tours and you can hire scooters there.Someone called it a "white man`s town",many expats wanting to make the tourist dollar.

Epi,mmmh,I personaly found it quite boring there.Definetly no scooters and not really any public transport unless you charter-and that was rather pricey.I wanted to go to Nikaura and that would have been about the cost of flying to Epi from Efate.I tried to walk there,but found it just a bit too far and too hot to do so.The famous Dugong...well,it must have been there,I saw the traces on the ocean floor,but i didn´t find it.Very bad visibility (maybe better in the beginning of the rain season,but I wouldn´t count on that),poor snorkelling with few dying corals,alltogether rather spooky,but the biggest turtels I´ve ever seen.There was a hell lot of moskitos and they definetly have Malaria there.Nice evenings with the friendly locals in the kave bar.

I flew to Ambrym from Epi.Transport again difficult.Went to church with the locals which was an interesting experience,walked arround a bit,nothing too great,BUT,I made the hike to Mt Marum to see the lavalakes and THAT was one of the best,if not the best,and most exciting things I´ve EVER seen in many years of travelling.I can not recommend that highly enough-not from this world.

I didn`t see many other travellers (except 4-5 on the airports),and since I was alone,transport (and it´s cost) was my major problem to get to see and do things.I wouldn´t say it was bad,but be aware that the outer islands are very different fron Efate and Santo.

Enjoy your trip.