Tropical beaches – tick! Great resorts – tick! Value for money – tick! When it comes to holiday essentials, Vanuatu doesn’t disappoint. This Pacific Island nation, however, offers so much more to surprise and delight Australian visitors, with adventure and cultural activities adding an extra dimension to your family vacation.
Here are five great reasons to visit Vanuatu.
1. Family-friendly accommodation
White-sand, palm-lined beaches and tranquil blue waters are always a lure for Australian travellers. Add to that a genuine respect for family values and Vanuatu hits the mark as an ideal resort destination. Port Vila boasts several topnotch resorts, including Warwick Le Lagon Resort and Spa, which has a complimentary kids’ club for children aged three to 12, organised daily activities and free meals for children aged 13 and under; while the Benjor Beach Club has a large range of facilities to keep children occupied, including a tennis court, bike riding, swimming pool and snorkelling. www.lelagonvanuatu.vu; www.benjour.vu
For parents who prefer the convenience of apartment-style accommodation, there are several good options including Island Magic, Irriki Island Resort & Spa, Poppys on the Lagoon and Villa 25, a new boutique oasis that offers two-bedroom self-contained villas on its own private beach. Many of these also offer nanny services to babysit the kids when required. www.islandmagicresort.com; www.poppys.com.vu; www.villasvanuatu.com; www.irriki.com
Recently opened in Port Vila is the Holiday Inn, set on 120 hectares of lush tropical gardens. The Turtle Club offers activities for kids aged three to 12, including basket weaving, jewellery making and games. Meanwhile, Mum and Dad can sneak away for a few hours, perhaps indulging in some well-deserved rest and relaxation at the Namale Day Spa. www.holidayinn.com Other good family-friendly options include Hideaway Resort & Marine Sanctuary. www.hideaway.com.vu
2. Fun in the water
The safe, sheltered waters of Port Vila’s lagoons are perfect for children, who’ll love snorkelling and swimming in the warm blue water. While most resorts offer water sports, why not try something different during your holiday? Stand-up paddleboarding is a popular new sport, and a fun way for the family to explore the sights around the harbour and bays. The boards are easy to ride, and there are two sites available – La Bodega for Port Vila Bay Safari, and at the Starfish Cove for Lagoon Paddle. www.vanuatu-kitesurfing.com
Kayaking Vanuatu can pick you up from your hotel and take you to Mele Bay for a full day of water activities. Here you can paddle your own glass-bottomed kayak or snorkel, getting up close with the colourful tropical fish darting around coral gardens. www.kayakingvanuatu.com Or for a unique view of life under the sea, try the underwater ocean walker, which takes you on an underwater stroll through Port Vila Harbour. Departs from Nambawan Café, ph +678 77 53153.
A visit to Hideaway Island is one of the most popular day trips from Port Vila, where you can snorkel, play on the beach and relax in the sun. You can even tell your friends back home what a great time you’re having, sending a postcard from the world’s only underwater post office!
3. Jungle adventures
A visit to Mele Cascade Falls is considered one of the premier experiences in Vanuatu, a must-do for every visitor. Just a short drive from Port Vila, the kids will love swimming in the natural pool, or taking the challenging trek to the top of the waterfall. For those after a little more adventure, you can also abseil down the waterfall with Edge Vanuatu, descending 50 metres through the water veil. For ages 12 and up. www.edgevanuatu.com
For the adventure of a lifetime – and a muddy good time! – rent a buggy or take a guided tour with Buggy Fun Rentals, driving along small rainforest tracks to local villages and along black-sand beaches Open to children aged six years and over. www.buggyfunrental.com.vu
Another great way to explore Vanuatu’s forests is on the back of a horse. At Club Hippique Adventure Park, you can choose from a rainforest ride or a beach and waterfall ride. Other activities on offer at the park include tube rides, water skiing and mountain bike trails. www.clubhippiquevanuatu.com
Cool off in the zaniest way imaginable – hydro zorbing. Wet’n’Wild, located on the hills at Mele, has an inflatable water park, water-walking balls and jetboat tow-behinds. The main attraction, however, is hydro zorbing, where you roll down the hill inside a 2.5m inflatable ball filled with 30 litres of water and a cushion of air. Minimum age five years. Email: wetnwildvanuatu@gmail.com
4. Absorb the culture
Vanuatu has the purest, most unique culture in the Pacific, and a visit to a cultural centre is sure to enlighten and fascinate your children. Located 5km from Port Vila, Ekasup Cultural Village gives families a genuine Vanuatu experience as locals share their customs and traditional knowledge. A highlight is its delicious traditional feast nights. www.ekasup.com
Another great way to introduce children to the culture and history of Vanuatu is on the Roi Mata Cultural Tour. Starting with a short visit to the Vanuatu National Museum, the day trip also takes you to the World Heritage property of Chief Roi Mata’s Domain. Here you’ll learn the fascinating story of Chief Roi Mata, a chief who was so powerful, that when he died, more than 50 members of his family and court sacrificed themselves to accompany him to the afterlife. The tour also includes visits to a local village and a limestone cave, as well as the chance to go snorkelling off perfect beaches. Email roimata@vanuatuculture.org
5. Island life
Although Port Vila is the main destination for families visiting Vanuatu, there are several other fascinating islands with unique geological and cultural attractions. Tanna Island, for instance, is one of the only places in the world where you can sandboard down the ash slopes of a volcano; or simply stand on the edge of the hiccuping, burping monster and watch the real fireworks displays. Email: tannavolcanotours@yahoo.com
Best known as a dive destination, Espiritu Santo is an untouched paradise, with beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters and pristine rainforest. At Lope Lope Adventure Lodge, 12km out of Luganville, you can take an outrigger canoe down one of the beautiful Blue Holes, share a custom village experience with your family, or explore World War II history on a rainforest trek. www.lopelopeadventurelodge.com
For more information, go to Vanuatu Tourism www.vanuatu.travel. |
