Want to spice up your Easter weekend? There are plenty of options for stop-overs if it's a family picnic or a day out with friends, or even a weekend away, the Free Fun Bus will take you and drop you at your respective homes.
You can choose from the itineraries proposed on Efate and Santo islands, they are available for download!
Choose yours NOW by booking it through our Travel Information Centre by calling 22813 (Efate) & 7737073/ 5616354 Santo. The Free Fun Bus is available every weekend until the end of May 2023.
On Efate
Download the itineraries here!
Stop points - Eastern Route
1. Eden on the River: Just 20 mins from Port Vila you will find the "Eden Experience". Choose from: • Bridges of Eden Both exhilarating and beautiful this tour takes you on a series of suspension bridges across our stunning tropical riverscape. Open 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
2. Banana Bay Beach Club: Surrounded by coconut plantations and right on the ocean banana bay is a real tropical experience. With 1st class Island Villas is only steps away from amazing snorkeling and a natural pool full of tropical fish. Closed on Mondays - Open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm.
3. a) Eton natural pool: Eton beach (below image) is a beautiful bay, protected by coral so the ocean tides into a cove and is calm all the time, and is shallow for a long way out. You can see the waves breaking on the coral at a distance. Perfect for family picnics.
3.b) Blue Lagoon: If you're looking for a picnic spot or just a place to cool off on a very hot day, then Crystal Blue Lagoon is the place for you. It's perfect for families and groups.
4. Sara Beach: Located at Onesua Village, Sara Beach is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the blue clear water! A very good place to picnic with family and friends.
5. Takara Nasinu Hot Spring: In the northeast of Efate about an hour’s drive from Port Vila are the Nasinu Hot Springs. There are thermal pools and a mud bath and you will be able to find a restaurant nearby too.
6. a) Nguna Island: Nguna Island is home to the two extinct volcano craters where Mount Taputoara is the highest at its peak of 593 meters (1,946 ft). A beautiful walk through the island is highlighted by the astonishing view of Emae Island and Sheperd Islands.
6. b) Pele Island: Pele Islands is a fabulous island for day trips where you can gain insight into local kastom, and village life, swim and snorkel off white sand beaches through crystal-clear blue waters where you may spot turtles, and dolphins, or even dugongs.
Stop points - Northern Route
7. Back to Eden Vanuatu: Located at the entrance of beautiful Havannah Harbor in Efate, only 20 minutes drive from Port Vila. They have seaside bungalows, restaurants, and tours. Open from Monday to Sunday.
8. Havannah Beach & Boat Club: Situated at havannah harbour 30 minutes from Vila. Beachfront Powered campsites, gas, bbqs showers covered dining areas, showers, and toilets, snorkeling, beach volleyball, boule, bush walking, rock fishing. Marina berths with power and water swing moorings, toilets, and showers
9. Havannah Eco Lodge: Havannah Eco Lodge and Gideon’s Restaurant & Bar are owned and operated by local Ni-Vanuatu man Gideon George. They are situated along the shoreline at beautiful Havannah Harbour, 30 minutes travel north by vehicle from Port Vila center.
10. Top Rock Lookout: Just before Emua wharf is Saama's Top Rock Point Lookout which, on any fine day, you can get a clear 180 degrees Celsius panoramic view of the north Efate offshore islands and neighboring Shepherd Islands group.
11. a) Nguna Island: Nguna Island is home to the two extinct volcano craters where Mount Taputoara is the highest at its peak of 593 meters (1,946 ft). A beautiful walk through the island is highlighted by an astonishing view of Emae Island and Sheperd Islands.
12. b) Pele Island: Pele Islands is a fabulous island for day trips where you can gain insight into local kastom, and village life, swim and snorkel off white sand beaches through crystal-clear blue waters where you may spot turtles, and dolphins, or even dugongs.
On Santo
Download the itineraries here!
Stop points- Eastern Route
1. Riri Blue Hole: Set amongst tropical jungle, vines, large trees, and tropical flowers, its a beautiful spot to spend the day either relaxing on one of the many platforms around the blue hole or jumping in from the rope swings if you are feeling adventurous.
2. Matevulu Blue Hole: Spring-fed, Matevulu's freshwater swimming hole is about 17m deep and the water is deep blue crystal-clear year-round. Owned by Chief Joseph Riri (who also owns the Riri Blue Hole), Matevulu is one of Vanuatu's most photographed places.
3. Thar Secret Blue Hole: Thar Secret Blue Hole is a picturesque freshwater natural swimming hole surrounded by jungle and teeming with tropical fish.
4. a) Champagne Beach: Picture this! A lagoon filled with effervescent water that resembles champagne at low tide... white powdery sand and crystal clear turquoise water.
4. b) Lonnoc Beach: In a beautiful coastal setting just off the East Coast Rd, this beach is all white sand and turquoise water, with views of Elephant Island. Drop into Lonnoc Beach Bungalows – day visitors can use the beach for free and ask about kayak tours.
5. Port Olry: People come to Port Olry to kayak to the nearby islands and check out the colorful reefs, but they stay for the mouth-watering local fare. Take a seat in one of the beachside huts, all run by local villagers, and prepare for a tropical feast with a view. Nothing says romantic lunch like tucking into freshly-caught fish with your toes in the sand. As Port Olry is the last village on the sealed road, it is also the jumping-off point for more adventurous travelers to get off the beaten track and explore a lesser-known part of the island.
Stop points- Southern Route
8. Taffuntari Waterfall & Tangoa Island: The waterfall (above image) is a mere 5-minute walk and when you get there, you can climb up to the top and look down at the blue lagoon beneath you or jump off from a lower boulder.
Bookings can be made with the Vanuatu Tourism Office from Monday to Friday. Just call 5616354/ 7737073! Terms & conditions apply.
Remember to take many photos that you can share with us on social media by simply adding #sapotemlokolturisim when you post and tag @Vanuatu Tourism Office