Sunshine and blue water on the doorstep Efaté, while not the biggest island in the archipelago at 900 square kilometres, is home to the capital Port Vila and supports the largest population in the country – around 50,000 people. Most of Vanuatu’s commerce is conducted in Port Vila. It is also the location for most tourism activities and Bauerfield International Airport, which is 10 minutes from town. The town is where you’ll find the shopping, supermarkets and most of the restaurants. The harbourfront is accessible at many points and hosts the fresh produce market, craft market and numerous of the better eateries. There is also a huge selection of activities on offer around the harbour, from yacht charters to helicopter rides, both of which will take you around the harbour or further afield, including around the island.
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In spite of being a working waterway and home to commercial shipping, inter-island boats and leisure craft, the harbour is clean enough for swimming and supports live coral and many fish. The recent completion of a sealed road right around the island has made access to Efaté’s other attractions much easier. The roundisland trip can be done comfortably in about three hours. Havannah Harbour on the north side of the island is definitely worth the drive and, on the way, you’ll find beaches, snorkelling and diving opportunities, restaurants and spectacularly dense greenery, as well as kilometre after kilometre of sparkling ocean and coral coastline. The charming and quirky town that is Port Vila nestles alongside the working harbour, with its clean, crystal-clear water.
PICTURES: Andrew Read, Vivid Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Tourism Office
The capital is spectacularly sited and charmingly original.
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Erakor Lagoon is the companion and near neighbour of Port Vila Harbour and only a few minutes away. Erakor Island Resort is a three-minute ferry ride from the mainland, across some of the clearest tropical water you’ll ever see.
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PICTURE: Andrew Read, Vivid Vanuatu
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