One day in Port Vila

nicekitty09:49 UTC19 Nov 2016

We will be visiting on a cruise ship in 2 weeks I'd like to go snorkelling can you go off a beach near to where the ships dock or should I look for a tour operator in the port.? All the trips from the ship are booked out. Will it be suitable for snorkelling late November or has there been too much heavy rain?

smandkjc20:29 UTC19 Nov 2016

We stayed at Iririki Resort and the cruise ship passengers were bought to the reef just off the resort.
You could take the cruise ship shuttle to shore and then get the Iririki shuttle to the island and walk along to the beach where the snorkeling is.
It was nothing wonderful but Ok.
From memory we were there in November, it rained at times but we still snorkeled.
The cost for the Iririki shuttle will be small compared to a trip organized by the cruise line.
The cruise ship shuttles ran right through where we were snorkeling so you had to keep a watch out for them to avoid being run over.
They were just local boats so if you got lucky they may even drop you off to snorkel on their way into shore.

watsoff18:29 UTC21 Nov 2016

Is there a charge for the Iririki shuttle now? The shuttle from the main island was free, maybe it's just the cruise ship shuttle you have to pay for ...? If so, what a rip-off. #1 is right, it's not a great spot for a snorkel, though.

smandkjc20:02 UTC21 Nov 2016

Is there a charge for the Iririki shuttle now? The shuttle from the main island was free, maybe it's just the cruise ship shuttle you have to pay for ...? If so, what a rip-off. #1 is right, it's not a great spot for a snorkel, though.

The Iririki shuttle was free if you are staying there or you can buy a day pass as below,

IRIRIKI ISLAND DAY PASS
Valid between 8am and 5pm
Adults: 1,500 VT (Approx AUD$18)

watsoff17:24 UTC22 Nov 2016

Thanks, then that's a change. There was no charge when I was there years ago, and I wasn't staying at the resort.

smandkjc20:47 UTC22 Nov 2016

Thanks, then that's a change. There was no charge when I was there years ago, and I wasn't staying at the resort.

Changed since we were there as well, I guess any chance to make a dollar the resorts take it these days.

Thorn Tree01:00 UTC23 Nov 2017

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One day in Port Vila Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
nicekitty09:49 UTC19 Nov 2016	We will be visiting on a cruise ship in 2 weeks I'd like to go snorkelling can you go off a beach near to where the ships dock or should I look for a tour operator in the port.? All the trips from the ship are booked out. Will it be suitable for snorkelling late November or has there been too much heavy rain?
smandkjc20:29 UTC19 Nov 2016	We stayed at Iririki Resort and the cruise ship passengers were bought to the reef just off the resort. You could take the cruise ship shuttle to shore and then get the Iririki shuttle to the island and walk along to the beach where the snorkeling is. It was nothing wonderful but Ok. From memory we were there in November, it rained at times but we still snorkeled. The cost for the Iririki shuttle will be small compared to a trip organized by the cruise line. The cruise ship shuttles ran right through where we were snorkeling so you had to keep a watch out for them to avoid being run over. They were just local boats so if you got lucky they may even drop you off to snorkel on their way into shore.	1
watsoff18:29 UTC21 Nov 2016	Is there a charge for the Iririki shuttle now? The shuttle from the main island was free, maybe it's just the cruise ship shuttle you have to pay for ...? If so, what a rip-off. #1 is right, it's not a great spot for a snorkel, though.	2
smandkjc20:02 UTC21 Nov 2016	Is there a charge for the Iririki shuttle now? The shuttle from the main island was free, maybe it's just the cruise ship shuttle you have to pay for ...? If so, what a rip-off. #1 is right, it's not a great spot for a snorkel, though. The Iririki shuttle was free if you are staying there or you can buy a day pass as below, IRIRIKI ISLAND DAY PASS Valid between 8am and 5pm Adults: 1,500 VT (Approx AUD$18)	3
watsoff17:24 UTC22 Nov 2016	Thanks, then that's a change. There was no charge when I was there years ago, and I wasn't staying at the resort.	4
smandkjc20:47 UTC22 Nov 2016	Thanks, then that's a change. There was no charge when I was there years ago, and I wasn't staying at the resort. Changed since we were there as well, I guess any chance to make a dollar the resorts take it these days.	5
Thorn Tree01:00 UTC23 Nov 2017	This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.	6