Efate, more than Port Vila
Efate is Vanuatu's most developed island. Port Vila has fancy hotel and resort accommodation, golf courses, restaurants and bars, duty free shops, tour operators, banks, ATM machines, supermarkets, traffic, an international airport and needs no further description. It's a white man's town.

Away from Vila, several new bungalows have appeared in recent years. Now you can stay on each of Nguna, Pele and Emao islands and there are some local places on the mainland and probably more to come. Cycling around Efate would be a good experience.

Nguna has been the most popular bungalow destination for Efate. Lelepa and mainland Efate are newer alternatives:
Maria's Lelepa Island Guesthouse
Bamboo Beach Bungalows
Bethel Village Adventure

Emua Sunset Guesthouse, Emua (no information yet, maybe you can update us?)

In July 2008 we discovered some locally owned beach bungalows at only 1500 Vatu (self catering) just beyond Pango village (Port Vila!). There are four bungalows, two single beds per hut. You can phone Graham on his mobile, 7747717 (774717?). He may have increased the rate to 2000 Vatu.

Transport around the island
There is regular public transport around to north Efate with market trucks and minibuses driving the western route. They charge 500 vatu to Emua or Takara and the ride takes about 1 hour.

A ride in Port Vila can be found opposite the Natapoa Takeaway (top street) from 1330H in the afternoon, everyday except Sunday. You will see locals waiting here. Most vehicles also stop at the Au Bon Marche supermarket and fuel station at Man Ples on the way out of Port Vila, which is another good place to find transport. In 2008 a large bus was in service, it usually waits outside the Presbyterian Church on the hill behind the UNELCO station, near downtown Vila.

Talk to the locals who look to be waiting for a ride, tell them where you want to go and they can help you find the right vehicle. If you're in a large group, in a hurry or it's Sunday then charter a taxi or bus.

Crossing to the little islands
The boat landing for Nguna and Pele is at Emua wharf, about 1 km east of the village (there's a sign for Nguna-Pele Marine Protected Area beside the road). Undine bay is protected from the trade winds and the crossing is usually smooth and takes half an hour. Don't expect many boats on Sunday. A shared ride costs 500 Vatu and a charter costs 3000 Vatu. Exchange Rates.

Speedboats for Emao leave from Takara. The 30 minute crossing passes over deep water and can be rough, wet and lots of fun when the swell is up. Fares are the same as Nguna.

You can find boats to Lelepa Island at Gideon's and Lelepa Landings.

Last updated: May 2009 by Stephen