Page 336 - Melanesia

Tranquillity Island Resort - Northern Efate Espiritu Santo

Tranquillity Island Inside “Fare” -Tranquility Island Resort Facilities: Accommodation is in rustic “Robinson Crusoe-style” huts Other popular dive sites
called fares. Although very basic, the fares are comfortable and feature
is an eco-tourism natural hand-made furniture and a private bathroom with flush toilet and around Santo include:
shower. All meals are included during your stay and are served in the
resort situated on Beach House, an undercover outdoor area. The USS Tucker lies just
The supply of electricity and hot water are not constant, however, these
Moso Island, north facilities are available for up to several hours each day. off Malo Island. (max
Our Comment: A friendly, laid back and relaxed resort but do be
west of Efate. Tran- prepared to get back to nature and forgo a few of life's luxuries. depth 20 meters). The

quillity is approxi- Turtles are fairly common around Tranquillity former destroyer has a

mately a 70 minute number of interesting

transfer by road and swim throughs with port-

boat from the capital holes and open bulk-

Port Vila. The prox- heads providing plenty of

imity to some great light. Fish regularly seen

dive sites, like Paul’s include coral trout, cod,

Rock and Hat Island, make Tranquillity Island a popular destination for sweet lip, angle fish and

day visitors as well as those who wish to stay longer. batfish. Visibility ranges

Guests staying on the island can visit the turtle sanctuary, dive or snor- Luxury liner “SS President Coolidge” “SS President Coolidge” is from 40 to 50 metres.
the pinnacle of wreck diving.
kel straight from the beach in front of the resort, take guided bush walks, Fantastic, a boat dive at

canoe rides and fishing expeditions. Note: Due to the remote nature of the Lying close to shore with her 26 to 42 metres, features

island the amenities and facilities on Tranquillity are basic and limited. bow at 21 metres and stern sea mountains covered in

at 70 metres the almost large Gorgonian fans, a

completely intact shipwreck fantastic array of fish life

Espiritu Santo offers up to 20 unique dives. and good visibility. Calm

Diving is via a 50 metre walk weather conditions are

The island of ©Kirklandphotos.com SS President Coolidge prior WWII line that leads from the shore required for this dive

Espiritu Santo is “SS President Coolidge” to the ship's bow. Sense the Tutuba Point is located
For scuba divers Espiritu Santo is the Mecca of diving in the South
approximately a Pacific. It is the final resting place of the 198 metre long, 22,000 ton history as you swim along at the northern tip of
luxury liner turned troopship, the “SS President Coolidge”.
one hour flight Complete with munitions, military supplies and personal belongings it is corridors, up and down stair- Tutuba Island, just a
one of the largest and most accessible ship wrecks in the world.
north from Port In 1941 with the increase of war time activities, the US War Department wells and view the Lady and short boat ride from the Diver exploring “President Coolidge”
began using the President Coolidge for occasional voyages to Honolulu township of Luganville.
Vila. The majes- and Manila. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 5 1941 the Unicorn, up close.
she was fully commissioned as a transport ship for the reinforcement of Visibility is 15 to 35 metres. The spectacular reef
tic beauty of garrisons in the Pacific. The SS President Coolidge was stripped of all Some of the friendly locals - Santo offers a variety of beau-
her finery, painted gunmetal grey and by early 1942, had begun her Million Dollar Point is another popular dive site in Santo. Following the
Santo is what days servicing the South West Pacific. tiful marine life, hard
end of WW11 the U.S. Navy disposed of tonnes of military supplies and
inspired James and soft corals, caves
machinery by dumping them into
A. Michener to and swim throughs.

write his classic the waters around Santo. This drift dive has fan-

“Tales of the Allan Power Dive Tours and tastic visibility at 40 to

South Pacific”. Aquamarine Dive Centre are the 50 meters.

Today, little has main 2 dive operators specialising Common sightings

changed and Local customs are strong in Santo in diving The Coolidge. Both offer include turtles, reef
Santo remains a
professional dive guide services, sharks and Napolean

Pacific paradise of white sand beaches, lush tropical rainforests and boat and shore dives, Nitrox facili- wrasse.

mountainous terrain, with a treasure trove of WWII history to explore. “Lady & the Unicorn” ties and gear hire.

Mysterious water holes of the most amazing blue colour are connected

by underground caverns, reef systems of colourful corals teem with a Deco Stop Lodge - Espiritu Santo

variety of spectacular marine life and the tropical rainforests are home to

numerous jungle birds and beautiful wild orchids. Panoramic view Deco Stop Lodge Facilities: All rooms are equipped with ceiling fans, insect screens, bar

Exploring one of the many spectacular corners- Santo Deco Stop Lodge is situated on an acre of gardens overlooking Segond ©cheser
Channel, just a 5 minute walk to the centre of Luganville. Deco Stop offers ©cheser
quality, budget priced accommodation in comfortable relaxed surroundings. fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and private bathroom. The rooms
Accommodation consists of 4 x quad-share rooms with single and bunk
beds and 6 private units with a double and single bed. The casual poolside are made up Dormitory room - Deco Stop Lodge
bar and dining area offers a variety of delicious meals and panoramic views daily with
of the area. The friendly staff at Deco Stop will be happy to arrange a num-
ber of Island tours including a visit to local custom villages, the spectacular clean linen
Millennium Caves, Blue Holes and Champagne Beach.
and towels.

Facilities

include a

©Kirklandphotos.com lockable

wash area for

dive gear, a

restaurant

and bar,

laundry facilities, a recreation room with Satellite TV, table tennis, darts

and home gym and a swimming pool with viewing deck and chairs.

As a troop carrier it was not intended the Coolidge would see any mili- Our Comment: Comfortable, basic and clean, budget accommodation

During the Pacific Campaign of WW II over 100,000 allied troops and tary action. A large military base and harbor had been established on with a casual atmosphere and friendly staff.
support staff were stationed on Santo and the time they spent there is
still evident today. Remains of crashed B17 bombers, deserted Dakotas Espiritu Santo with the harbor entrance heavily mined to protect against Coral Quays Resort - Espiritu Santo
and WW II storage shelters are scattered throughout the thick jungles,
while many wrecks lay below the surface of the clear blue waters. the entry of Japanese submarines. Information regarding safe entry to
The township of Luganville is the capital of Espiritu Santo and features a
range of accommodation from hotels to beach front resorts, restaurants, the harbor had been “accidentally omitted” from the Coolidge’s sailing
coffee shops a sports club and dive shops.
orders and on October 26 1942 Coral Quays Fish and Dive Resort is located on San Michele Bay Bungalow accommodation
One of the many magical “Blue Holes” - Santo just 10 minutes from Luganville. Set amongst 6 acres of tropical
unaware of the mines, she attempted gardens the property offers 18 individual and spacious, private
bungalows offering bay or garden views. The resort has a relaxed
to enter the harbor through the largest atmosphere with all the charm of the old south seas. Staff can
assist in the arrangement of tours to local villages, popular his-
and most accessible channel. A torical sites and surrounding areas.
Facilities: A number of bungalows are air-conditioned while oth-
“friendly” mine struck the ship near the ers are fan cooled. All have private bathroom facilities, fridge,

©cheser engine room and moments later a

second mine hit near her stern. The

captain knowing that he was about to

loose his ship ran her aground and

ordered the troops to abandon ship.

Today the Coolidge is protected by tea and coffee making facilities and an outdoor setting.
The licensed restaurant offers fine dining either inside or
Vanuatu law and provides endless alfresco on the veranda overlooking the bay.
Other facilities include a swimming pool, day spa with
enjoyment for divers. Her dual identity massage facilities, canoes and bikes.

allows divers to experience a luxury Our Comments: a relaxing retreat for the more discern-
ing traveller, couples and honeymooners.
cruise liner and military ship. The

wreck is surrounded by corals and

many sea creatures such as turtles

and moray eels call the wreck home. Divers on the stern of the ship.

Poolside - Coral Quays Resort