Vanuatu, “the timeless islands”, is a group of 83 islands, distributed in a north / south axis of 900 km and located east of the Salomons. Formally known as New Hebrides, they have numerous islands such as The Torres & Banks Island in the north. of Aneytium, Matthew and Hunter to the south, still unexplored by wave-riders. Located 2,250km north-east of Sydney and 800km west of Fiji, Vanuatu would be an idyllic surf island were it not for New Caledonia and the its swells that collide against the main swells of the South Pacific. There are no lagoons or coral reefs but only small reefs a few meters deep. A real challenge for every surfer! Book your surf holiday in Vanuatu now!
The capital Port-Vila is on the island of Efate, almost in the center of the Vanuatu archipelago. Without imposing structures and skyscrapers, this sleepy city is set inside a magnificent natural harbor in Mèlè Bay. West of Mèlè is Devil Point , a frightening scenario for extreme lefts, in offshore wind conditions. During the biggest swells, Black Sand Beach cove also receives surfable waves. Many resorts are close to reefbreaks, which makes it easier to check conditions at all times.
Pango Point is Efate’s number one spot. You have to pay less than $1 to enter this live coral reefbreak; for safe surfing it is recommended to surf it at high tide. If this spot scares you check out nearby spots. British Beach has a fairly deep seafloor, it is rideable at any tide and it is often better than it looks from the shore. Pounders , when active, can be described as a perfect tube, but the tubing section of the left needs high tide and no wind to start unwinding. Erakor Island is a resort island well known for the variety of marine activities it offers to its visitors; here you will also find some surfer to share your sessions with. Wind is a problem, be prepared to get up at dawn to surf the two or three hours before the winds pick up. Tapi Point probably has the longest wave in Efate. Teouma Bay’s is perfect for beginners with its light beachbreaks. Further on there is Soumadal Point , a potential left reefbreak but which often has active sea conditions due to its exposure to winds. Forary bay, on the other hand, is well protected from the SE winds on the internal lefts. There is a rare outer section and a right on the south side of the bay, and despite its remoteness, it is worth checking out.
Drive to the north coast at least once during your holiday and go to Epao and Mangea Reefs : spots that have the potential for great surf but, again, be patient. Another option is to fly to the south of the island, specifically Port Resolution (in Tanna) and Aneityum. If conditions are good, you may find Vanuatu’s most promising left pointbreaks here.
Tariff per person, starting from:
| Departure | Paray Lodge Hostel | Blue Pango Motel Hostel | Hideaway Island Resort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | Double | Double | |
| From 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 | € 116 | € 116 | € 336 |
Notes
Like Fiji, the main waves should come with SW swells but New Caledonia blocks them. In any case, the swells from SE traveling to the east coast of South America and the numerous windswells, hit Vanuatu with constancy and strength. The most exposed spots will be the first to be ruined with the wind in mid-mint… .so wake up at dawn. The best waves are around Port Villa with no wind or NE-E conditions. The trade winds in the south and central part of Vanuato come from the east. Tides can reach 5ft during the spring.
How to get there : No visa is required for stays of less than 30 days. Air Vanuatu flies to Port Villa from Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Nad and Noumea; Air Calin flies from Noumea; Air Pacific from Nadi; Solomon Airline from Honiara and Port Moresby. Domestic Vanair serves all the major islands with planes with a maximum of 20 seats and in which it is possible to load boards only under 7ft. $ 20 boarding fee.
Getting around : There is no public transport. However, it is possible to take private means of transport such as minibuses and taxis, which are able to reach any place and they are also relatively cheap. Small cars are also good for getting around Vila but a 4WD is recommended. To go around Efate it takes 3 or 4 hours. Rent a car at Discout Rental from $ 250 / week with 100km free per day.
Accommodation and Food : Pango Paradise Cove Resort has 10 units and 6 deluxe studios. The price is $ 845 for 3 nights and 3 people. An alternative is the Erakor Island Resort with its 18 waterfront bungalows ($ 95 / double). For a cheaper stay try Kaiviti Hotel and Guest House like the basic Talea ($ 20 / double). You will pay $ 10 for a cheap meal.
Climate : The climate is a mixture of equatorial and tropical. The rainy season lasts from January to March and during this period it could be very hot and cyclones (26-34 ° C) could occur. The driest months are August and September. The best time to visit this area is from April / May until October when temperatures are around 18-28 ° C.
Nature and Culture : Like most of the islands in the South Pacific, here too we find a paradise for divers, fishermen and golfers. The Mele Cascades are only 12km away by car. In Tanna there is Yasur, one of the most active and accessible volcanoes in the world. Try the experience of bungee jumping at Pentocost Island.
Dangers and annoyances : Beware of low and sharp reefs. Cuts and broken boards are frequent. There is a hospital in Vila with limited resources. Tap water in urban areas is safe but not in rural areas.
Tips : Bring everything you need. You won’t need a gun. Don’t forget your shoes, sunscreen and a watch. Vanuatu is closely connected with France so there are many Australian and Japanese expats and tourists.
Exchange rate 1 EUR = 1.08 USD; 1 € = 1.51 NZD; 1 EUR = 1.41 AUD
Exchange rate variations (more than 3%) will lead to an adjustment of costs. They will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff does not include
Duration: 8 days / 6 nights
from € 242 - Excluding flights
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