Tours, Tips and Trips

DRIVE AROUND THE ISLAND

Heading to Port Vila? Whilst many will be planning to hang out at a resort, we highly recommend hiring a car for at least a day to drive around Efate. See the team at Europcar for a great deal.

A non-stop trip around the island takes three hours on the Island Ring Road, but with so many great places to stop along the way, and a few diversions from the main road, take a full day.

You can pick up some amazing French and Italian cheeses at Traverso butchery and crunchy fresh bread from the patiserie across the road.

Vila Bottleshop in the mainstreet opposite Sound Centre has the best selection of wines in town.

Head out of town via Mele village, the biggest on Efate. You’ll pass by the turn off to Hideaway Island Resort (home to the world’s first underwater Post Office). From here you can either head to the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, or continue along the main ring road towards Mele Cascades and then up Klem’s Hill.

The views are breathtaking – pull over and get a few selfies. From there you’ll drive past local villages and plantations before reaching another great lookout point about 20 minutes away with views to the islands of Nguna, Lelepa and Pele.

Lelepa Island is one of the best day trips in Port Vila – an absolute must for a glimpse of authentic island life and culture and stunning white sand beaches.

This is the island where Survivor Vanuatu was filmed. The snorkelling is the best off Efate.

Then it’s on to Havannah Harbour with some fantastic restaurants and private resorts.

If you haven’t packed a picnic lunch, there are many options for lunch. For fine dining you can try The Havannah Resort (bookings essential) or the Havannah Dream Club.

The American Swimming Pool is worth a quick stop to see where the US servicemen used to enjoy a day off during World War 2 when they were stationed in Vanuatu.

Past Havannah the drive takes you through coconut plantations, along white sand beaches, a number of villages and thermal hotpools.

The other side of the island the scenery changes dramatically, with jungle forests and crashing waves along the beaches.

Heading back to Port Vila you’ll drive past even more beautiful beaches, especially around Banana Bay, cattle farms and local restaurants.

Roadside markets offer fresh coconuts and other fruits – some also have baskets, wood carvings and WW2 artefacts.

The Blue Lagoon which is near Efate’s most popular beach, Eton Beach, is a must-stop. The kids will absolutely love swinging into the crystal clear water from the rope-swing.

Off the ring road but absolutely worth the detour, try Tamanu on the Beach, open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Back on the Ring Road, about 10 minutes from Port Vila you’ll notice quite a few nakamals – kava bars.

Visitors are welcomed at nakamals throughout Vanuatu. You’ll be able to identify them by a soft red light out the front.

Kava is drunk from the late afternoon. It is best to go with a local (ask your hotel concierge for which nakamal they recommend), just so you get your bearings as some can be hard to find.

Back in to Port Vila you’ll be spolit for choice for dinner. Our favourites are the Waterfront Bar and Grill, which is, as the name suggests, right on the water and the long-established local favourite, L’Houstalet – located accross the road from Au Bon Marche Nambatu.

A great way to finish your road trip.