Page 335 - Melanesia

Diving - Port Vila The Melanesian - Port Vila

Port Vila has a variety of dive sites with visibility ranging up to 40 Big Blue Diving and Nautilus Friendly marine life - Port Vila This popular tourist class hotel and resort is only 15 minutes from the Facilities: All rooms are air-conditioned and have an ensuite bathroom,
Scuba are the 2 main dive
metres. The outer areas of Mele Bay and the islands off the North Efate operators in Port Vila. Located airport and within easy walking distance to Port Vila’s town centre, res- private balcony, queen size and a single bed (additional rollaway beds
waterfront in the centre of Port
coast, offer deep drop-offs, grottoes and overhangs with underwater Vila, both offer a range of dive Poolside at The Melanesian taurants, shops are available on request), TV with in house movies, refrigerator, mini
courses, dive guide services, and markets.
tunnels and chasms formed over time by frozen lava. facilities and dive gear for hire bar, telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and an in room safe.
or sale. Weather permitting,
The running currents bring in an abundance of marine life and pelagic their dive boats depart daily for The Melane- The resort offers: Orchid room - The Melanesian
expeditions around the Port Vila 2 restaurants and
species while inside the protected waters of Mele Bay there are a number of and Northern Efate areas. sian offers a
The operators pick-up and
interesting ship wrecks. The "Star of Russia", a three masted ship built return divers to their accommo- range of spa- bars, a club with
dation in Port Vila.
in 1874, sits in 33 meters of water, “Konanda”, formally an island trader, cious, well gaming facilities, 24

Exploring one of the wrecks was scuttled in appointed hour room service,
the harbour
rooms and a an adults and kids

and the variety of onsite size swimming

“Tasman” is facilities and pool, deck chairs,

an ex-Qantas, amenities. BBQ area, tennis

Sandringham Our comment: court, gift shop,

flying boat. Great family library, games

Further out in property. Suit- room, a tour desk

the bay, the able for short or and conference

“MV Semle extended stays facilities.

Federsen” sits Iririki Island Resort - Port Vila

at a depth of

36 meters. Located in Port Vila Harbour, Iririki Island Resort offers 2 completely Over on the other side of Iririki Island, a brand new development at
different types of accommodation. One side of the island offers
Hideaway Island - Port Vila traditional, well appointed private fares ( bungalows). This area of the Snorkeler’s Cove, features a range of ultra modern, self contained units
resort caters for adults only. Our comment: An exclusive resort for the
discerning traveller with a choice of 2 totally different holiday packages. and penthouses offering pool or ocean views. Snorkeler’s Cove caters

Hideaway Resort has a vari- Iririki Island Resort for families, couples and individuals who prefer a more contemporary

ety of accommodation that’s modern style luxury.

sure to please most tastes and Facilities: All room types are air-
conditioned and have a private
budgets. All are set in lush,
balcony, ensuite bathroom, bar
tropical gardens looking out
fridge, television, in house mov-
over the waters of Mele Bay.
ies and direct dial telephone.

One bedroom Bungalows: The resort has 4 restaurants,
The spacious bungalows have
2 swimming pools, tennis courts,

a separate bedroom, private games room and a health and

bathroom facilities, ceiling fan, beauty spa.

sofa, dining setting, fridge and The use of non motorized water

tea / coffee making facilities. sports including snorkelling,

The Beach Lodge: sailboards, catamarans and

The twin or double rooms canoes is complimentary for

each have a ceiling fan, fridge guests staying at Iririki Island. Inside Harbour view Fare

and wash basin. Bathroom

facilities are shared. There is Ramada Resort Breakas Beach - Port Vila

a wide, wrap around veranda

for relaxation purposes. Located just 25 minutes from Port Vila Facilities: Each individual bungalow has its’ own uniquely styled, spa-
Airport, Ramada Resort Breaka’s
The Dormitory: Beach is a boutique property that cious and very private “open air“ bathroom, a queen size bed, ceiling
The fan cooled, quad share caters for those looking for smaller
Aerial view - Hideaway Island resort with great ambience. fan, fridge, mini
rooms have bunk beds with The resort is set amongst lush tropi- Inside bungalow bar, tea and cof-
Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is situated on its’ cal gardens leading to a white sand
own private island, just a 5 minute ferry ride from the mainland and 15 individual night lights and beach fringed with palm trees. The fee making facili-
minutes from Port Vila. Surrounded by the crystal clear waters of Mele Bay stylish and private bungalows are
and live coral reefs supporting a diversity of prolific marine life, Hideaway personal storage lockers. Shared bathroom facilities are housed nearby. scattered along the beach front and ties, phone and
Island has been declared a protected marine sanctuary. throughout the neatly manicured gar-
Diving:Hideaway Island is one of the most popular diving areas in Vanuatu A recreational dens. Each bungalow is furnished in hairdryer.
and one of only a few resorts in the world, to have its’ own marine sanctuary a relaxed Melanesian styled elegance
on the doorstep. The reef in front of the resort is teeming with brilliantly lounge area has using local materials and artifacts. The resorts res-
coloured fish and marine life and can be explored by snorkelling or diving Our comment:
straight from the shore. The diving features a variety of colourful sponges, a TV, DVD’s and A great location for a secluded get-
hard corals, sea anemones, gorgonian fans and an amazing number of away or romantic honeymoon in un-
tropical fish. The resort’s independent PADI dive operation is staffed by games. The derstated style. Fabulous bathroom. taurant and bar is
professional instructors and dive guides and offers a complete range of dive
courses as well as shore dives, boat dives and gear hire. resorts restau- situated poolside
Hideaway Resort also boasts the world’s first authentic, underwater post-
office, sitting at a depth of 3 metres. Visitors can dive or snorkel down to post rant and bar is offering pano-
their specially waterproofed postcards to friends and family back home.
situated right on ramic ocean
Exploring Marine Sanctuary - Hideaway Island
the beachfront. views. The infinity

Activities include: swimming pool

diving, snorkel- has a swim up to

ling, paddle bar and plenty of

boards, sea area for relaxa-

kayaking, sailing Poolside - Ramada Resort tion.

and beach vol-

leyball. You can Coconut Palms Resort - Port Vila

view the marine Inside One-bedroom bungalow - Hideaway
sanctuary from

the comfort of the glass bottom boat or join one of the many tours on offer. Coconut Palms Resort is situated within easy walking distance to the Facilities:The self contained units are air conditioned with en suite
heart of Port Vila. Surrounded by swaying coconut palms and tropical
Our Comment:The relaxed island atmosphere, accommodation choices and gardens the resort offers a good selection of accommodation. bathroom, queen size bed, TV, in house movies, full cooking facilities,
a marine sanctuary right on the doorstep make Hideaway the ideal place for The self contained apartments are designed with couples and families in
mind while the dormitory rooms are ideal for small groups, individuals microwave and fridge. The dormitory offers share accommodation and
dive groups, study groups, individuals, families and couples. and the budget conscious traveler.
sleeps up to four people per room in bunk beds. Dormitory bathroom
Coconut Palms Resort
Waterfront restaurant - Hideaway Island facilities are

shared. The

resort has a

swimming

pool, restau-

rant and bar,

laundry and

internet café

facilities.

Our com-

ment: A good

value, quality

property close

to Port Vila. Inside unit accommodation