All four north Efate offshore islands are bountiful in historical, cultural and eco-friendly tours and attractions that you won't want to miss while holidaying here in Vanuatu. Some highlights include:
Moso - Turtle sponsoring and releasing
Tassiriki community, in conjunction with Wan Smolbag Theatre, is the base for a turtle monitoring programme on northwestern Efate. The project is run throughout Vanuatu with the goal of preserving the endangered turtle species found in the Pacific. The community operates a bungalow that accommodates volunteers who stay for short-term periods assisting the locals with the turtle monitoring programme. Sunae community is attempting to initiate a small tour business to the eastern part of the island as part of a community development project. This part of the island is where parts of Les Aventuriers de Koh-Lanta, the French version of the Survivor TV series, were filmed.
Lelepa - Chief Roimata Fel's Cave & Survivor Vanuatu
Fels Cave (Nakanamanga language, Fels or Feles are local dialect variants) on the southwestern side of the island is Fels Cave highlights many rock drawings, up to 3000 years old rock. Since 2008, the cave has been part of Chief Roi Mata's Domain, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fels Cave housed the legendary Great warrior Chief Roimata’s body before the villagers took his body across to Devil’s Point on mainland Efate, Tukutuku, and finally to Hat Island to be buried along with 50 of his wives.
Fels Cave has attracted European visitors since the nineteenth century. At the entrance of the cave, there is graffiti from travellers going back to 1874.
Survivor Vanuatu
The municipality Natapau operates a travel company that brings visitors daily by canoe to the island. The island gained fame from the opening sequence of the US television show Survivor: Vanuatu, in which the contestants are on the beach of Lelepa. However, the actual jungle camp was on Efate in Mangaliliu. The top-rated TV series was filmed here in 2004.
Nature Walks & traditional herbs
Lelepa island tours organise nature walks through jungles, learn about the useful herbs we use for medicine, journey into an ancient cave with a local guide who will pollute the serene atmosphere with the local history to the island’s Warrior king chief ROIMATA.
The island is located in a Marine Protected Area, with pristine and bountiful and healthy marine life - ideal for snorkelling. Lelepa Village unique in its ways
Over afternoon tea, learn how Lelepa Islanders live off the land, by growing their food, some sold at the market including fish, listen to stories about their culture and past tribes, how villagers know when a cyclone is coming and much more. You can even buy local hand-made artefact in the village to take home with you. More info on activities and tours available on the island http://www.lelepaislandtours.com/ and photos for download http://www.lelepaislandtours.com/the-village/
Nguna & Pele - Nguna-Pele Marine Protected Area
The Nguna Pele Marine Protected Area Network was established in 2003 as a way to conserve and protect the fragile and unique reef environment around the Nguna and Pele Islands. Sixteen communities on the two islands work together to maintain several small marine and terrestrial closures that have been established by area chiefs, village councils, local NGOs, and the assistance of a Peace Corps volunteer. Many of the bungalows are oceanfront looking out towards the marine conservation area, and provides an excellent spot for swimming and snorkelling tours.
Nguna - Extinct volcano
Hiking an extinct volcano is a grand highlight that any fit traveller simply can not miss on Nguna island. Your bungalow hosts will be able to also take you around Taloa Village and share with you their stories.
Pele - Kick back island life
Pele is inhabited by about 200-220 people and resides four villages: Worsiviu, Worearu, Piliura, and Launamoa. People of the island are laid back, easy going, and children are ever ready to welcome you with their smiling faces when you arrive on the island. The island is part of the MPA Nguna-Pele Marine Protected Area and is a popular diving location bountiful in colourful coral fishes, reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove forests and intertidal lagoons. If you’re lucky, you may spot dolphins and turtles as you take the ferry across from Emua wharf to Pele. There are also yachts available both from Emua and Nguna for day and overnight charters to the island.