Sola, Vanua Lava, Banks Islands

The town of Sola is the administrative centre for TORBA province. In Sola you will find a Post and National Bank of Vanuatu agent, Immigration, Police, TORBA Tourism Office (38550), shops, three guesthouses and the airport is nearby. There's also a public water supply and electricity supply (power from 1830H to 2030H every day). Sola is actually quiet picturesque but it's a provincial town and not a tourist resort. Also, South American fire ants have been accidentally introduced via the Solomon Islands and are now an established pest around Sola.

There are three Island Bungalows in Sola whose main business is visiting government, non-government, volunteers and church officials:
Eliezer Travel Lodge, Sola, Vanua Lava
Leumerous Guesthouse, Sola, Vanua Lava
Wilkin's Guesthouse, Sola, Vanua Lava

Excursions from Sola
The Selva and Alket Rivers are north of Sola. It's the only place in Vanuatu where you can find saltwater crocodiles. It is thought they swam to Vanuatu from the Solomon Islands after getting lost during a cyclone. One more was relocated by Steve Irwin (yes, the crocodile man on TV) from Maewo Island in 2003. Read more about these rivers and the crocodiles on our Walking Vanua Lava page.

East of Sola is Kwakea Island with white sand beaches, good snorkelling and no villages. A speed boat charter to Kwakea was about 3000 Vatu return from Sola. It's probably double now because fuel prices are very high (Feb-2007).

Last updated: February 2007 by Stephen