| Malau
Yacht Resort, Waterfall Bay, Vanua Lava
Visitor
Ratings
The
main destination on west Vanua Lava is Waterfall Bay. Here
the Sasara River makes a twin waterfall into a pool by the
ocean. It's a popular place for yachts and an island bungalow
opened in September 2003. Malau Yacht Resort is by the beach
and close to the waterfall. Apart from the waterfall, there
are some caves nearby and reefs close to the beach. It's
a three of four hour walk from Vureas Bay to Waterfall Bay
via Vatrata village (see our Walking Vanua Lava page).
Costs
and Booking
Malau Yacht Resort is owned and run by Chief Kerely Malau.
He also set up and manages the Waterfall Bay Association.
Languages spoken are Bislama and English. Expenses are payable
in Vatu cash. Exchange
Rates.
| Costs |
Vatu |
| Bungalow |
2000
per person |
| Camping |
500
per person |
| Breakfast |
300 |
| Lunch/dinner |
400 |
| Chicken
lunch/dinner |
1000 |
| Lobster
lunch/dinner |
1200 |
| Laundry |
300 |
| Waterfall
Bay Tour |
1000 |
| Bush
and garden tour |
300 |
| Kastom
wall painting cave tour |
600 |
| Cave
of skulls tour |
600 |
| Kastom
dance (minimum 4 people) |
1500 |
There
are no communications so visitors just turn up. You could
contact John Ware at the TORBA Tourism Office in Sola (38550)
for an update before going.
Accommodation
and Food
There's one bungalow built of local materials. There are
two rooms with locking doors, each room has two single beds.
There are no mosquito nets but a mosquito coil is provided
(few mosquitos). Lighting is from kerosene lamps.
There's
a dry pit, squat toilet. You bathe at the waterfall. You
should bring toilet paper, towel and soap.
The
aelan kaekae
is good at Waterfall Bay. Lunch or dinner may be fish or
chicken with rice, water
taro or lap-lap
manioc. Breakfast may be banana chips and Tea or instant
coffee. Lobsters are abundant on the reefs off the beach
and freshwater prawns are available.
Kereley's
main business is entertaining yachts. The yacht season runs
from June to October each year. You can see some handicrafts
for sale in the restaurant building.
Transport
Other
than walking, you may be possible to charter a speedboat
in Sola to Waterfall Bay for about 10000 Vatu one-way (the
TORBA province boat). There are no speedboats near Waterfall
Bay so plan your return carefully. Copra
boats call in now and then at nearby Leon Bay.
Services
and Suggestions
There's not much at Leon bay (just south of Waterfall Bay)
only a medical aid post and maybe some very basic stores.
Bring what you need with you.
First
surveyed: May 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: June 2004 by Stephen.
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