The Maskelynes are situated of se Malekula perched upon an extensive reef shelf home to turtles, dugongs, giant clams and marine conservation areas. These small tropical islands are home to a unique culture that depends on the reef and surrounding salt water shallows to sustain its island life.
Eco Adventure Maskelyne are proud to display the first multi-day canoe tour in Vanuatu.
The tour weaves around a chain of islands that rings the largest before coming ashore where an intimate exhibition of the local culture can be experienced.
The multi day tour begins at Ringi Tu Su Giant clam shell conservation area. Here you can be baptized with your first dive in the Maskelyne, snorkel above the giant clams making them quiver and close as your shadow passes over them. We then traverse Sakoa ‘garden’ island, a large island where the locals carve out there food gardens among the forested topography. There are secluded sand beaches where can swim or just ‘spell’ under the giant figs that shade the forest floor. Camping is at sheltered inlet that is home to large mud crabs that are readily available at low tide.
The second day we head to Avok islands, rocky outcrops with small villages clinging to the sides. The primary school is the only building on one of these islands and all the children must share canoes to travel to and from school each day. We will lunch ay a remote village and some of the children on their lunch break will take us on a climb above their village to view that not only takes in all the ‘Maskelynes’, but other central islands of Vanuatu including the Active volcanoes of Ambrym and Lopevi.
We then head to Vulai Island crossing over the Sugarlump Reef a submarine plateau which has an amazing array of coral formations and fish that is akin to swimming in aquarium. Our camp at Vuali is behind a sheltered lagoon.
After waking to sun rising behind Lopevi we explore the pristine white sand beaches of Vulai. There are numerous rocky cliffs that plunge into blue lagoons and turtle beach where a conservation ‘tabu’ has been placed by the chief to ensure the turtles keep returning to lay and many a nest can be seen.
After lunching on fresh seafood we set sail for Malaflaf point on the main island of Uluveo. There is a marine conservation area at the point so all the fish are very friendly and there are some giant clams. The point has a clear view of sunset and the reef fringes the point enabling easy access for a night snorkel when all the corals come out to feed.
Other than our multi day adventure the Torrohilua clan are pleased to exhibit their customary practices that have a continuous history lasting many centuries. They will tell you ancient stories at their sacred sites take you out on a canoe and call to the turtles making them rise from seafloor, perform small nambas dances and sing sings with a language from an era before that has not been spoken for incalculable generations.
Traditional food can be eaten as well as traditional kava made with a unique method of grinding that reduces the taste to water but increases the effect.