Vanuatu is an archipelago and is about 1,750 km east of Australia, 500km north east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of Solomon Islands. Both Olivia and Scotty spent a week there for BCF for the ultimate fishing adventure and below we’ve shared a few tips with you for your next pacific island adventure.
Fly
Remember when flights included baggage, meals and drinks and entertainment and you didn’t have to dive into your hand luggage to find your wallet to pay for every little old thing on the plane – remember no more because Air Vanuatu is all inclusive, you can relax, have a meal and a drink, have 30kgs luggage and enjoy your flight of only 2 and half hours to paradise. The Air Vanuatu Experience starts your holiday.
Fish
We wouldn’t be Creek to Coast if we didn’t wet a line. We looked at all forms of fishing from Hapi, our Ni Vanuatu guide at Erakor Lagoon on how to throw a cast net, traditional fish traps to the luxury of Trees and Fishes and Ocean Blue.
We went fishing with Lelepa Fishing charters, a half day cruise, 7-meter banana boat. They pick you up from your hotel at 4.30am – the sun is nearly up – and after a 35 minute drive from Port Villa to Havannah Harbour. The local guide knows the waters well around his island home of Lelepa and will chase the fish. Yapin, our guide, first took Scott and Olivia out to the FAD – fish attracting device – nothing biting, so as we headed towards an island, the flying fish and birds indicated that something was up – fish on – skip jack tuna.
Scott and Olivia’s next fishing adventure was with Ocean Blue. This is a walk on walk off set up with Trees and Fishes Private retreat, more about that in stay, but first the fishing. It’s a very comfortable ride on one of the American built EdgeWater Centre Console Sport Fishers creating plenty of room to move around and the twin 250hp Yamaha 4 strokes will get you to the fishing grounds fast. The most important feature for all the female anglers on board – there is a toilet. Our skipper was Dick and deckie Alex, these men’s skills are as wide as their smiles. Great fishing and if you like snorkelling they know the best spots as well.
Stay
Where to rest your weary head. If you are looking for that home away from home where you can cook up your own meals or have a bbq by the pool check out Pacific Lagoon Apartments, close to Port Vila for all your shopping needs and you can relax and create your own schedule – it’s your holiday.
Pacific Lagoon Apartments is right on Erakor Lagoon with kayaks, snorkels and reef shoes available and while you are out enjoying the day return to your nice clean apartment. Chris, the Manager, has a wealth of knowledge of where to go, what to see and do and is happy to help. You could not feel more welcome!
Trees and Fishes is private retreat nestled between rainforest and the coral sea. A spectacular setting, luxury rooms – try the outdoor bath for pure indulgence – genuine warm hospitality and delicious gourmet cuisine. They will clean and prepare your catch for dinner that night, you can’t get fresher. Trees and Fishes is a walk on walk off setting with Ocean Blue for fishing but it also caters for couples who want to relax around the two pools, snorkel out the front or wet a line.
Tips
Food shopping is fun and easy, Bon Mache has all the groceries you need with a bakery and butcher in store. Venture out and visit the wet market or Mama’s Market in town, try a papaya (paw paw) with lime squeeze over. The limes at Vanuatu are sweet and smell divine.
Buy, take with you or borrow reef shoes – you’ll need them to comfortable explore the reefs. Buy your authentic handicrafts that are made in Vanuatu at Haos Blong Handikraft a market place on the waterfront in Port Vila. A wide variety of products such as baskets, home décor, carvings, jewelry and artwork.
Border/Customs
If you are visiting Vanuatu for 30 days or less and you have a return onward ticket you’ll be able to apply for a visa on arrival, it’s easy!
