Mota Lava and Ra, escape to the Banks Islands
Distant from modern Vanuatu, Mota Lava and Ra islands are a pleasant island escape. These islands are relatively small and most attractions are easy to walk to:
- White sand beaches and coral reefs around west Mota Lava and Ra.
- Climb the massive rocks on Ra. The two boulder piles offer good views but the climb is not for people who aren't confident climbers.
- Climb the Sleeping Mountain on Mota Lava. It's a short but steep climb, rewarded by magnificent views.
- Walk around Mota Lava (about 2.5 hours along the truck road and about 3.5 hours through the bush on the other side).
- Go fishing.

From Mota Lava you can travel to neighbouring islands by speedboat:
- Mota Lava is the place to organise an expedition to the uninhabited Reef Islands.
- The volcano on Vanua Lava is not far from Mota Lava.

Airfares to Mota Lava are expensive from Port Vila and less so from Santo. To economise, a good plan is to visit both Mota Lava and another island in the Banks and Torres on the same trip.

Bungalows
There are lots of island bungalows concentrated around west Mota Lava and Ra and few tourists. Most bungalows are usually empty.
Caring Home Bungalows, Mota Lava
Edseho Beach Bungalows, Mota Lava
Nisa Sunset Bungalows, Mota Lava
Dori Lagoon Resort, Ra
Harry Memorial Resort, Ra
John Ralph Bungalows, Ra

Unfortunately, there are fire ants on Mota Lava, but not many. There were no fire ants on Ra in 2005.

Air Transport
With Air Vanuatu flights on Fridays and Mondays, it is possible to visit Mota Lava just for the weekend. An adult return fare to Mota Lava is 44345 Vatu from Port Vila or 22070 Vatu from Santo (May 2006). Tourists with a return Air Vanuatu ticket are entitled to a 20% discount. Exchange Rates.

The airport on Mota Lava is about 12 km away, on the eastern end of the island. In 2009 the road was being upgraded and there was one transport truck. A charter costs at least 2000 Vatu from the airport to the western end of Mota Lava, one way. Walking takes two and a half hours. When you arrive at the airport you can usually share a ride.

Leaving Mota Lava, plan to be at the airport early. What happens is the pilot radios ahead from Santo and may decide to change the routing.

Sea Transport
Ships to the Banks and Torres Islands are rare these days and not a practical option for tourists. When a ship does come, it may spend some days rounding the islands, offloading cargo and picking up copra.

Speedboats between Mota Lava and Sola on Vanua Lava are frequent, almost daily. The 20km journey costs around 10000 Vatu for the whole boat or about 600 Vatu per person, shared. It may be a rough ride if the trade winds are blowing.

Services
The village on Ra has a few basic stores. Ngerenigman village on Mota Lava has more stores and a medical clinic. There's a public phone near the clinic (38502).

If you need access to electricity, a few locals have generators or solar power systems. Harry Memorial Resort has solar power and an inverter.

Last Updated: July 2009 by Stephen