Epi, Aneityum, Erromango

Epi Island

alt Epi, more than it appears to be. Epi is relatively close to Vila with good transport links, a variety of accommodation options and much to see and do.

Epi's economy is largely dependent on agriculture. Along the west and northeast coasts of Epi there are extensive coconut plantations, vestiges of a copra boom in the early 20th century. Other crops are peanuts (in the hills of east Epi) and kava.

Epi is close to Efate and airfares from Vila are relatively inexpensive. Many people visit just for a few days and then return to Port Vila. If you want to spend more time and see the best of Epi you can walk around the island. Island hopping by ship between Epi and Ambrym is easy, with reliable weekly services through Lamen Bay.

(Photo courtesy of Epi Guesthouse)

Activities

Tourists can swim with Bondas the friendly dugong at Lamen Bay, admire the richly coloured sunsets at Lamen Bay, surf at northeast Epi, snorkel at Nikaura's Marine Protected Area, walk around the island.

Bungalows

While Lamen Bay, with good accommodation and a friendly dugong, has long been a tourist destination the rest of Epi has little tourism development. We now have three bungalows on Epi: Burumba Youth Guesthouse, west Epi, Epi Paradise Sunset Bungalows, Lamen Bay, Nikaura Sunrise Bungalow, east Epi

Getting there

Air Transport
There are two airports on Epi. Lamen Bay shares flights with Craig Cove, Ambrym. Valesdir shares flights with Tongoa and Emae in the Shepherds. In 2009 you could not fly from Santo to Lamen Bay and there were no connections with Malekula.

Visit the Air Vanuatu website for the latest flight schedules and more details. Tourists holding a return Air Vanuatu international ticket are entitled to a 20% discount on these fares)

Sea Transport
Several cargo boats call in at Epi every week, mostly along the west coast. The L/C Brisk sails for Lamen Bay and onward to Ambrym, Pentecost, Ambae and Santo on Monday nights (January 2009). L/C Tina-1 sails the same route, in reverse, Santo to Vila. These ships can be found at the main wharf in Vila and at Melcoffee on Santo.

Getting around

Land Transport
There are roads on Epi but only about half a dozen trucks and no regular public transport. If you want to travel by truck you either have to wait or book a charter. If there's no truck you can walk or sometimes catch a passing boat (on the west coast) which costs about the same as shared truck transport.

For more information and photos of Epi island click here.

Aneityum Island

altAneityum, is a tropical island paradise and is Vanuatu's southernmost inhabited island. The interior is mountainous and covered with wet, dark forest. Along the coast, pine plantations contrast with coconut palms, white sand beaches and coral reefs. Aneityum's main source of income is tourism (cruise ships) followed by small scale logging of the pine plantations. If planning a private and quiet retreat to Mystery Island then check the cruise ship itineraries with the Vanuatu Tourism Office in Port Vila before setting out. There are very few other visitors and ample accommodation so you needn't worry about crowds at other times. Most visitors have Mystery Island to themselves.

Aneityum is far from Port Vila and it's an expensive flight. To get the most value out of your airfare then, and if you have time, visit Tanna and/or Erromango on the same ticket (it costs only a few thousand Vatu more).

Activities

Aneityum is a good island for walking; not too large and with a cooler climate. Mystery Island is all beaches and reefs and a popular cruise ship destination, perfect for snorkeling and cruise, traditional and game fishing.

Bungalows

There are basically three choices for accommodation on Aneityum: Kenneth's Bungalows, Anelgauhat, Mystery Island Bungalows, Mystery Island, and Miko Guesthouse, Anelgauhat.

Getting There

Transport
There are two flights a week to Aneityum. Visit the Air Vanuatu website for the latest flight schedules and more details. The grass airstrip is on Inyeug Island, and tourists with a return Air Vanuatu ticket get a 20% discount on this price. There are no regular shipping services to Aneityum.

Services and Suggestions

Anelgauhat, in the south is Aneityum's main settlement. There are a couple of basic stores, telephones, and a medical dispensary. It's a good idea to have a warm shirt when visiting Aneityum and a light rain jacket in the cooler months (around August).

Click here for more information and photos of Aneityum Island.


Erromango Island


altErromango is largely unpopulated and undeveloped. Today, the island's main source of income is Sandalwood (the season runs from June to August each year), supplemented by coconut crabs. Extracting Sandalwood from the native forests is all done by manual labour, much the same as during the 19th Century. It's a lucrative business and Sandalwood planting is becoming popular. Erromango is close to Efate and airfares are relatively cheap.
There aren't many flights and a visit to Erromango will take more than a few days. Erromango is not the easiest island to visit but it is quite possibly the most unspoilt.

Activities

Erromango is ideal for trekking and bushwalking. The Kauri forests are the best known attraction but remoteness and big kastom fees are a deterrent. There's plenty of forest and birdwatching is good.

Bungalows

Commercial accommodation on Erromango is limited with only one bungalow and one guesthouse at Upongkor village (Dillon's Bay). Elsewhere, accommodation can be arranged in the villages and camping is possible.

Getting there

Transport
There are two airstrips on Erromango: one in the northwest (Dillon's Bay) and another in the southeast (Ipota). Air Vanuatu flies to Erromango two or three times a week. Note that the Dillon's Bay airstrip may be closed if it's raining due to low cloud cover and/or wet conditions. Visit the Air Vanuatu website for the latest flight schedules and more details.

Getting around

There's only one road on Erromango, from Upongkor to the Dillon's Bay Airstrip, so most transport around Erromango is by speedboat or walking. A speedboat charter from Dillon's Bay to Pongkil Bay is about 5000 Vatu and to South River about 10000 Vatu. At Pongkil Bay there's no estuary and getting ashore often involves jumping onto the rocks/reef; you may miss your step when there are any waves (good fun!).

For more information and photo on Erromango Island, click here.