Palm trees, white sand and crystal waters are all a daily event here on Efate; one of Vanuatu’s most populated islands and home to the country’s capital city, Port Vila. But beneath the postcard-perfect scenery is a cultural energy that thrums with the beat of the crashing waves. With a rugged landscape born from the belly of volcanoes, lush green rainforests and the warm South Pacific Ocean ringed with bright reefs, Efate is only a three-hour flight from Sydney, Brisbane or Auckland and four hours from Melbourne, and there’s an adventure around every corner on this gorgeous getaway island.
What to expect
-
Slip through turquoise waters and feast your senses in a snorkelling paradise.
-
Live like a local and relax on secluded beaches, far from the masses.
-
Take a sea kayak along the glittering shoreline or hike to the top of an extinct volcano.
Fast facts
Time: 3 days
Transport: Car and boat
Nearest major city: Port Vila, Efate
Price: $$
Hiring a car is easy and the only traffic you generally find is in the city centre. So you’re free to cruise along the only sealed ring road which circles the island, stopping for lazy dips at isolated beaches and sandy inlets along the way.
Day One: Pele Island and Nguna Island
Morning:
Organising a guided trip to Pele and Nguna Island is a treat for any intrepid wanderer looking to escape the beaten track. To get to both islands, it’s a scenic 35-minute drive from Port Vila to the northern-most tip of Efate, winding through palm plantations and verdant, dense jungle. Here you’ll come to Emua Wharf, where boats await, bound for the outer islands.
In fine weather, the boat crossing to Nguna Island takes around half an hour, often accompanied by the playful frolic of a dolphin pod or the exciting glimpse of a shy turtle. There are 12 remote villages scattered throughout the highlands of this cultural hotspot. Hiking enthusiasts will delight in the chance to trek to the volcanic crest of the breathtaking Mount Marow, best done early before the day warms up.
For early risers, stay in a brightly-painted Uduna Cove Beach Bungalow to reach the mount’s peak for a fuschia-hued sunrise. Join a guided group with Vanuatu Ecotours for the 3.5-hour return trip, meandering through the fruit and vegetable gardens tended on the mountain’s fertile volcanic sides. From the top of the ridge, vistas spread as far as the eye can see — to the east is Pele Island, with Efate lying to the south. Cool down in the coral-splashed ocean and chill beachside before tucking into a sumptuous barbecue lunch in the shade of a swaying palm tree.
Afternoon:
There’s no time for a siesta as we’re heading for a neighbouring island: Pele. Here, the welcome is a family affair, with grinning children splashing into the shallows to help guide the boat to shore. Take a walk through one of the villages where families go about their daily lives; quietly working or taking moments to languidly bask in the sunshine. Spend a couple of hours snorkelling the divine reef 100 metres offshore; as a Marine Protected area since 2003, the prohibition of fishing means the aquatic life is astounding (perhaps some of the best snorkelling in Vanuatu). Stay overnight in Pele’s largest village, Launamoa, in a traditional thatched ‘fare’ at Sunrise Bungalows for scrumptious homemade meals, or head back to the mainland to bunk down in your Port Vila accommodation after a perfect day.
Day Two: Vanuatu Ecotours and Back to Eden
Morning:
Eat a hearty breakfast because it’s time for another Vanuatu adventure. Book a tour with Vanuatu Ecotours for a smorgasbord of activities. The Ecotours crew is passionate about the island’s tropical surrounds and committed to keeping it pristine. All of Vanuatu Ecotours' day trips include land entry fees, transfers from your Port Vila accommodation, experienced guides, tour equipment and most importantly, money towards supporting local community projects. Paddle in paradise with a sea and river kayaking tour, explore hidden waterfalls and limestone caves, take to the bushwalking trails with an experienced guide or enjoy leaving the tourist trails far behind with unparalleled off-road access atop an Italian-made mountain bike. Local Port Vila tour guides share their knowledge with humour, grace and those classic Ni-Vanuatu smiles that light up your day.
Afternoon:
After lunch, make your way to Back to Eden cafe, a 30-minute drive from Port Vila. Australian couple Alan and Bronnie Prisk moved to the village of Mangaliliu in north-west Efate in 2015, and run their famous Vanuatu snorkelling tours alongside an outstanding restaurant and bungalows with ocean views. Brave the bumpy last stretch of road to the cafe where you’ll meet snorkel guide Alan to start the hour-long tour, which takes place on the private beach a stone’s throw away. Alan, who knows the reef like the back of his hand, is a comprehensive tour guide, showcasing all the treasures of the seas; an enormous sea anemone bed known as ‘Nemo City’, iridescent giant clams and resident turtles (there have been up to five turtles on past tours). The startling coral colours and schools of fish will leave you wondering if it was all a mirage when you resurface. Back to the restaurant, it’s time for a house-mixed cocktail as you watch the sun slip into the sea, before tucking into Bronnie’s mouth-watering dinner. Bliss, indeed.
Day Three: Buggies and Zipline
Morning:
Mad Max fans will be in their element for a hair-raising morning of pedals to the metal; designed to get the heart pumping and the laughs crackling. Buckle up to hit the (sort-of) road for a hoon around the island with Off Road Adventures. Wave to local kids as you roar through the jungle or skid along the beaches — a blast in the sunshine and even more fun in the wet. The open buggies are perfect for off-roading and it’s impossible not to crack a grin as wide as the locals, whose happiness is most definitely contagious.
Afternoon:
Scared of heights? It’s time to face your fear! The Vanuatu Jungle Zipline is a thrilling activity for all ages which is guaranteed to stay stored in the memory vault for years to come. Zip along a kilometre of wires between platforms and tremble across suspension bridges with the Canopy Treetop Tour, or zoom across enormous ravines with the Big Zip Trek Tour for action you’ll be laughing about for days to come.
