Vanuatu excursions (not from ship)

[skibyrd]

Anyone have any thoughts on things to do on Vila and Mystery island in Vanuatu?  Going in February on Quantum of the Seas out of Brisbane.

[clairebearinaus]

I am going on Quantum next week and have been before.  There is little to do on Mystery Island, it's tiny.  It's a beach day, really, though you can buy organised tours to snorkel or kayak.  The locals have a deal with RC so nearly all activities will only be sold through the ship.  You may be able to rent a cabana or some snorkelling/kayaking equipment, this is limited and will book out early with a ship the size of Quantum.  Mystery Island Tours is the website to check.

 

In Vila there are lots of locals with vans who run tours of the islands, they have Facebook pages and/or will be waiting in the port area.  Popular tour stops normally include local lagoons and waterfalls, or out to Hideaway Island for another beach/snorkel day.  Nearly all will stop in town at the end for some duty free shopping, which is regarded as the cheapest in the region.  Many tours also go to a turtle sanctuary but the reviews suggest it's a rather miserable place and the animals are not treated well.

[Over from NZ]

I agree with clairbearinaus. We've been to each a number of times. Mystery Island is a beach day. The other side of the island has great snorkeling. Port Vila has lots of options when you get there. We don't let the cruise-lines scalp us anymore. We've done Hideaway Island, that was nice. Last couple of times we've booked a day-pass at Irikiki Resort. It has gone up in price though.. now AUD$32 (and you get a $12 food and drink credit back to spend at the resort). Get to use their facilities, pools.. wind-surfer, Kayaks etc. Great place. You can book a ride to the island resort for just $5 each (well it was last time) on the water taxi. The water taxi will also detour on the way home to the ship.. via the cheapest duty-free shop in the pacific! 🙂 

I did the sport fishing one cruise and the wife did a waterfall. They were average. 

 

https://www.iririki.com/extras/

[Kellyansapansa]

We have hired a car in Vila before, and driven around the island. It's a wonderful way to get away from the main part of town and explore the areas that interest you most. We visited places like Tanna Coffee and the villages of Tanoliu and Port Havannah. If you would prefer not to drive yourself, there is a local bus service that takes you to the Mele Cascades which are lovely to visit for a swim and short hike. (NB: we last visited pre-Covid so things could have changed.)