Living conditions - Tanna Island

Hiya

I have the opportunity to volunteer for 12 months on Tanna Island in Vanuatu.
What are the living conditions like there?
Can I drink the water without boiling it? Is the island very isolated? Am I likely to find accomodation with electricity and running hot water?
What are the transport and shop options?
Is it realistic to think I can go to the beach every weekend?
Will I need a guide if I want to travel?

Any insights into living on Tanna Island?

Many thanks!
Cathy.

Tanna is basic, but has some decent infrastructure even for tourists so I think you will find a place to suit you unless you must be based in a very remote village.
Drinking water without boiling is probably not a good idea though.
Transport is limited to local taxis, which tend to grossly overcharge foreigners - an effect of the day-trippers flocking there from Vila.
Shops are basic, just have the essentials for locals - almost uniquely in Melanesia, all are local-run, so there are no big Chinese or Australian stores like in Vila or Santo.
Getting to a beach is definitely no problem, and some are nice.
If you are there as a volunteer, you should have plenty of locals looking after you and no need for guides. Start learning Bislama ASAP though.

It depends where on the island you will be volunteering. We spent some time at the hospital in Lenakel; a Canadian doctor and her family were living there and absolutely loved their year there. They did miss a lot of creature comfort type things, and even some basic things. The doctor who was replacing the family basically spent a day just shopping for food etc in Port Vila and then had it shipped over, which is a possibility. As Laszlo pointed out, shops there are basic, and expensive.

Its been over a year since I was last there and from I remember, there are a couple of decent roads, but vehicles breakdown a lot just off the main roads and onto the beaten track. You will make friends with lots of locals and expats and I'm sure they will help you get around. As a female, I found Tanna a little more 'restrictive' than the other islands, but that may be a personal perception. Either way, learn Bislama, learn about the culture and customs and most of all, enjoy the experience. I didn't spend anywhere near long enough there!