Epi, more than it appears to be
Epi is relatively close to Vila with good transport links, a variety of accommodation options and much to see and do:
- Swim with Bondas the friendly dugong at Lamen Bay.
- Admire the richly coloured sunsets at Lamen Bay.
- Surf at northeast Epi (the best surf we've seen in Vanuatu to date).
- Snorkel at Nikaura's Marine Protected Area.
- Walk around the island.

Epi's economy is largely dependent on agriculture. Along the west and northeast coasts of Epi there are extensive old coconut plantations, evidence of a big copra boom in the early 20th century. With the exception of Valesdir these have long been abandoned and taken over in places by smallholders. Other crops are peanuts (in the hills of east Epi) and kava.

Epi is close to Efate and airfares are relatively inexpensive. Many people visit just for a few days and then return to Port Vila. If you want to spend more time and see the best of Epi you can walk around the island, read our Itinerary Ideas page for a start. Adventure travellers should also note that flights through Lamen Bay also land at Ambrym, Malekula and Santo. This route gets you to Santo and you can stopover on some interesting islands.

Bungalows
While Lamen Bay, with good accommodation and a friendly dugong, has long been a tourist destination the rest of Epi has little tourism development. We feature two bungalows and Valesdir plantation:
Epi Paradise Sunset Bungalows, Lamen Bay
Nikaura Sunrise Bungalow, Nikaura
Valesdir Plantation Guesthouse, Valesdir

Epi Island Guesthouse near Valesdir is an expat-owned, upmarket place that doesn't fit our definition of an island bungalow and it's already well promoted so we don't feature it on our website.

Air Transport
There are two airports on Epi: Lamen Bay in the north and Valesdir in the south. Flights (March 2007) and fares (May 2006) are summarised in the table below. Check the Air Vanuatu domestic website for more up-to-date information. Tourists holding a return Air Vanuatu international ticket are entitled to a 20% discount on these fares). Exchange Rates.

Flights through Lamen Bay also land at Paama, Ambrym, Malekula and Santo. Visiting Epi from Santo is feasible. Flights through Valesdir are on the Shepherd Islands loop (Emae, Valesdir, Tongoa).When booking flights on the Shepherds loop you may be told they are fully booked but when you arrive at the airport there are few passengers (we've been told this is normal).

Sea Tranport
Several small cargo and passenger boats, generally ex-fishing boats, call in at Epi every week, mostly along the west coast . In September 2004 some of the boat names were Azur, Santa Maria and Brooklyn. A more comfortable, passenger-only boat servicing Epi (Lamen Bay) weekly is the Island Gateway. The M/V Brisk also does a reliable cargo/passenger service between Vila and Santo via Epi (Lamen Bay), Ambrym and Pentecost. In Port Vila these vessels can be found at the wharf near the market. A one way fare to Epi on the cheapest boats is around 4000 Vatu. Exchange Rates.

Land Transport
There are roads on Epi but only about half a dozen trucks and no regular public transport so if you want to travel by truck you either have to wait or book a charter. Away from the northwest corner trucks are infrequent and you could be waiting more than a couple of hours to catch a passing truck. Charters are expensive if you're travelling solo (see table below). If there's no truck you can walk or sometimes catch a passing boat which costs about the same as shared truck transport. Exchange Rates.

Services and Suggestions
Development on Epi is concentrated in the northwest where there's the island's administrative centre at Rovo Bay and a hospital at Faimali. Elsewhere there are medical dispensaries and aid posts here and there. In September 2004 there were a couple of telephones scattered along the west coast and at Mate village on the east coast but the station serving the south and west up to Valesdir was down. Most villages have a store or two and these are regularly restocked by boats.

Last updated: March 2006 by Stephen