Vanuatu travel suggestions?

[Bunnyhon]

Hi, we will have 6 days in Vanuatu this coming October. Can't really decide what we should do/where to stay. We will need to go see the vacano on Tanna, so that will take 2 days? With the remaining time, is it possible to dive both Santos and around Port Vila? Or is it too greedy...and we we have to choose between them..which one is the 'must see'? We will be diving in Taveuni for a week before we get to Vanuatu....any suggestions and inputs would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MuscleBob.Buffpants]

Travel between islands on Vanuatu is usually by plane, so you will need to keep that in mind when planning.
Personally, I can only say good things about Santo. The President Coolidge is a must see when there and it is not a ship you can dive in just one or two dive. It is deep though - 35-55 metres or so. Just doing the 35 metre stuff is pretty cool though.

There is also a wrecked destroyer and Million dollar point. Plus the Henry Bonneau (which is supposed to be a pretty amazing night dive).

My wife and I are planning on going back in the future and we will go to Santo over Vila.

Nothing wrong with Vila, several wrecks (including a flying boat) and reefs galore, the only problem is it is a lot closer to the main airport so more tourists.

But if I was going to Vanuatu I would definitely recommend Santo over Vila any day.

Cheers

 

[almitywife]

to get to Tanna you will be flying to and from Port Vila

places to think about,

Hideaway Island; 15mins from port vila by bus, bungalow accom, no tv, dvd, phones. dive shop on the island so 3 dives a day mins away from dive sites and shore dives, lots of pretty fish and they have a purpose scuttled small wreck as well. eat the coconut pie, http://www.hideaway.com.vu/index.htm, if money is an issue ask about the "twin share rooms"...its like a private dorm room for one couple only so much more privacy. we've been to hideaway 3 times i think

Tranquility Island; a 20min bus trip and boat trip from port vila - very eco VERY basic but great diving on site and its a turtle sanctuary also. http://www.southpacdivecruise.com.vu/index.html

if diving at Santo, Bokissa Resort if you have $$$ or Deco Stop for better pricing and if you like your beef, dont forget the grass fed santo beef, very happy cows in santo!

if wrecks are your thing, santo and the Coolidge cannot be beaten

if baseing yourself in Port Vila, mike and maggie crawford from bigblue ( http://www.bigbluevanuatu.com/ ) are good people

on your down day in Port Vila - take your cossies and dive boots and go to the Cascades... i always like this place.

hope this info helps

cheers

 

[Zeeman]

Was there a bit over a year ago...

Have good things to say about Nautilus in vila.

Tanna was cool, stayed at the whitegrass resort. the Volcano trip is a must, but pray for sun. The rain came just as we got to the peak of the volcano and we saw jack all of nothing the rumbling and hissing was cool though.

Oh yeah, and prepare yourself for the worst 2 hour plus car ride you ever had. It is REALLY bad...

Z...

 

[almitywife]

:wavey: Zee!

did you do any ash-boarding in Tanna?? i see thats the new in thing

 

[tee_jay]

I know I'm a little late posting in this thread, but same as Zeeman I highly reccomend Nautilus in Port Vila. Nice people, nice dive sites.