Port Resolution Nipikimanu Yacht Club, Tanna Visitor Ratings

In one of the most idyllic settings of all island bungalows, Port Resolution Nipikinamu Yacht Club is a community project built for cruising yachts and tourists. PRNYC has not always been as good as it could be but the beautiful surrounds, friendly people and laid back atmosphere soon overcome undemanding visitors. The yacht season runs from June to October each year.

PRNYC is built on an old Presbyterian mission site. Ask the manager Werry (pronounced 'Wary') to show you some of their historical photos and explain the story underneath A.C.P. Watt's gravestone (d. 1894). Other attractions at Port Resolution are the hot springs and freshwater lake by the natural harbour and a white sand beach on the other side of Yetukuri (Port Resolution) village. Also, Turtle Bay and Shark Bay are both within walking distance and Mount Yasur is a short drive away.

Update August-2006: We hear that maintenance and improvements have been made at PRNYC. Separately, we have also been informed that a new, privately-owned, bungalow by the beach on the other side of the village is ready for guests (ask Chief Ronnie Thomas about it).

Costs and Booking
Accommodation at PRNYC costs 2000 or 2500 Vatu (depending on who you ask) per person, per night, including breakfast. To sleep in your own tent costs 1500 Vatu per tent, per night. At PRNYC, all bills are payable in Vatu cash. Exchange Rates. Bislama and English are spoken.

PRNYC have a phone and now internet as well:

Phone: 68791

Tafea Tourism Council web page:
Port Resolution

You are generally free to visit all attractions around Port Resolution at your leisure. Werry can give you all the advice and directions or arrange an escort. Enkahi Day Tours (box below) is a new local tour enterprise that is reported to be good value for money.

With PRNYC, the tours are quite informal and you pay little more than transport and kastom fees:

Some adventurous people overnight at Sulphur Bay. There are also Jon Frummer's at Port Resolution who practise for the big night every Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Accommodation and Food
There are four or five bungalows at PRNYC. Each is built of local materials with a locking door and a hand basin outside. The beds have mosquito nets. There is a generator for lighting and they have a new refrigerator in the restaurant (August 2006).

Water is supplied by an elevated tank, filled by a solar powered pump from a water bore. It should be safe to drink.

PRNYC now has two shared showers with hot water (August 2006) and shared toilet. Bath towels and toilet paper are provided.

Breakfast is typically bread, sometimes with eggs, and tea or instant coffee. Standard lunches and dinners (fish with rice and local vegetables) cost 500 Vatu. More fancy meals (eg lobster) cost up to 1000 Vatu. Limited Vanuatu Tusker beer is sold at 300 Vatu a bottle. The staff are efficient at procuring all sorts of local produce, just ask in advance.

Services and Suggestions
The two stores at Port Resolution stock limited supplies so do any shopping before leaving Lenakel. You can at least buy fresh local bread. There is a community telephone in Yetukuri village.

Transport
Booked airport transfers are 3000 Vatu for one or 1500 Vatu per person for larger groups (one way). See our Tanna page for information on public transport.

If you like walking, Port Resolution is two hours walk by road from Mount Yasur (Jungle Oasis Lodge). The back-track shortcut to Sulphur Bay and White Sands (Jon Frum road) takes about two and a half hours. Most visitors should be able to find their own way on these two routes.

First surveyed: August 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: August 2006 by Stephen.