The Reef Vanuatu Zoological
The Reef Vanuatu Zoological
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Vanutu zoological is a wildlife conservation and education centre. Lots photos opportunities, hand feeding bady turtles and seeing some of vanuatu amazing and rare animals. We hope all our guests leave with a new appreciation for the animals that we all share our environment with.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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See what travellers are saying
- Michael KHobart, Australia62 contributionsTurtlesvisited this as part of a day trip to several spots with Petes Tours and transfers. The young lady who gave us our tour was very friendly and knowledgeable was really informative. you were allowed to touch/hold the turtles We had lunch here as part of the tour inclusion, was basic but nice.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 13 October 2023
- WingecarribeeCanberra, Australia2,346 contributionsTurtle sanctuary and moreGreeted at entrance and taken on an informative tour of the site and its animals. Turtle sanctuary - rescue, breeding and release program. Also fruit bats, coconut crab, lizards and more. Some up-close and touching the critters. Would be good place for families with children to experience the animals. There is a place to buy food and drinks. Rough road to get to the park; I went with a half day tour of some of Efate's attractions.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten 4 December 2023
- Rachel APalmerston North, New Zealand3 contributionsNice family outingWe were lost with what to do today as the ocean was too choppy for water activities so we went here by chance. So glad we did. Our guide was nice and informative. Kids got to get up close to animals we are very unlikely to see in the wild (hawksbill sea turtles, flying fox, coconut crabs). I’ve read other people saying they were not happy with the price but at 2000/1000 Vatu per adult/kid I think it’s well worth it for a setup such as this and staff who are trying to do their bit for the conservation of a critically endangered animal.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 17 February 2024
- Adrian P43 contributionsA great experience.What a very cool place to visit. I really liked sitting in the pond and having the turtles swim around me. The staff were fantastic and you get someone to guide you all the way. I would allow 30 to 60 minVisited February 2024Travelled on businessWritten 19 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
226 reviews
Excellent
149
Very good
54
Average
16
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Izymoo
Auckland Central, New Zealand7 contributions
Mar 2020
We came here to see the turtles. We were lucky to be the only group there at the time so we had a lady show us around and tell us about all the enclosures. We sat in the pools with the baby turtles which was cool and we saw a few bigger turtles. We also got to hold Iguanas and see some bats. It's not a flash place but it was interesting and not very expensive. 1700 Vatu for adults and 1000 vatu for children.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
Melbourne, Australia2,017 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We found this very expensive for what we experienced; A$25 per person, or 2,000VUV.
While there are people inside at some of the animal displays who are called guides they really don't guide you at all.
The animal displays are predominantly turtles, with a few crabs, starfish, lizards, iguana and an eel.
Overall disappointing for what we paid.
While there are people inside at some of the animal displays who are called guides they really don't guide you at all.
The animal displays are predominantly turtles, with a few crabs, starfish, lizards, iguana and an eel.
Overall disappointing for what we paid.
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole M
Richmond Vale, Australia44 contributions
July 2023 • Family
A fantastic conservation project where eggs are taken from wild nests and turtles are raised in captivity until 5 years of age then released. This reduces the high early mortality from predation so wild population is boosted.
Cost was $2000VAT per person.
There are several pools with different aged turtles and a guide at each pool to give information. You can pay the back of the shell and one pool we could pick them up.
There are also coconut crabs, banded iguana’s and flying foxes to see.
There is a nice snorkelling location here but tide was too low during our visit. We enjoyed seeing the fish and marine invertebrates in the rock pools.
This was a trip highlight for us and good to support this conservation project.
Cost was $2000VAT per person.
There are several pools with different aged turtles and a guide at each pool to give information. You can pay the back of the shell and one pool we could pick them up.
There are also coconut crabs, banded iguana’s and flying foxes to see.
There is a nice snorkelling location here but tide was too low during our visit. We enjoyed seeing the fish and marine invertebrates in the rock pools.
This was a trip highlight for us and good to support this conservation project.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karel57
Napier, New Zealand21 contributions
Aug 2022
Our guide, Janet, was knowledgeable and also very passionate about her work with the animals at The Reef. While this place is down a long and very bumpy road, it is well worth visiting and a great place to support as it really is a turtle sanctuary. The welfare of the turtles, along with bats, a coconut crab, iguanas, a goat and a couple of dogs etc appeared paramount. The environment that the animals were kept in was well maintained, right down to path to the waters edge where the rock pools are. Janet was willing to share her wisdom about the purpose of the sanctuary and also the life journey of the creatures in their care. There's a couple of bungalow type accomodation down by the oceans edge but these were not in use when we visited as Vanuatu had only just reopened for visitors. A great place to support.
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel A
Palmerston North, New Zealand3 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
We were lost with what to do today as the ocean was too choppy for water activities so we went here by chance. So glad we did.
Our guide was nice and informative. Kids got to get up close to animals we are very unlikely to see in the wild (hawksbill sea turtles, flying fox, coconut crabs).
I’ve read other people saying they were not happy with the price but at 2000/1000 Vatu per adult/kid I think it’s well worth it for a setup such as this and staff who are trying to do their bit for the conservation of a critically endangered animal.
Our guide was nice and informative. Kids got to get up close to animals we are very unlikely to see in the wild (hawksbill sea turtles, flying fox, coconut crabs).
I’ve read other people saying they were not happy with the price but at 2000/1000 Vatu per adult/kid I think it’s well worth it for a setup such as this and staff who are trying to do their bit for the conservation of a critically endangered animal.
Written 17 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anwin
Canberra, Australia26 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
We were lucky enough to have the place pretty much to ourselves. Everything is just reopening and staff were working hard to build structures and pathways. The cages are simple and the place is small but it great to see the few sea creatures they have. Swimming with the turtles was amazing. They are very tame and the whole family loved the experience.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cardeb
Sunshine Coast186 contributions
Oct 2022
First visit there Oct 2022. Had a personal tour guide, who explained what was happening in each area where the turtles were. all the stages to release. There were also Iguana's, goat, pig, fruit bats etc. Lovely pathways right down to the ocean. Shop was shut. Cafe offered drinks and some food. Hopefully they have lots of visitors and can reinstate more services in the cafe and open the shop again. Well worth a visit, great for kids to get some hands on experience as well.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aine L
Greystanes, Australia3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Our family thoroughly enjoyed our trip to The Reef Centre. The work that you guys do to protect the turtles and teach others is amazing and you should be very proud of everything that you do. Would highly recommend that everyone stop by here on their trip to Vila
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnJam1980
Greater Melbourne, Australia75 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Lovely to see baby turtles and be able to touch them, but otherwise quite disappointing. Not a lot to see, and no guides to give tours or talk about the place. We were done and out in 15 minutes. The biggest disappointment was the HORDES of cruise ship visitors who arrived in buses and taxis just after us. The place might have been enjoyable if it were quiet but it was poor management to let in hundreds and hundreds of people at once when you aren't equipped for it. DO NOT GO if there is a cruise ship docked in the harbour
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leanne P
9 contributions
Nov 2022
We pretty much had the place to ourselves.
Always love coming here, last time we 3 yrs ago with my grandson who was 18mths old, back again with my grandson who is now nearly 5. He loved it 3 years ago and still loves it.
Bring your bathers as you can go swimming once you have done the tour, and grab a refreshing drink or something to eat.
Great for all ages
Always love coming here, last time we 3 yrs ago with my grandson who was 18mths old, back again with my grandson who is now nearly 5. He loved it 3 years ago and still loves it.
Bring your bathers as you can go swimming once you have done the tour, and grab a refreshing drink or something to eat.
Great for all ages
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello there I would like to know the best way to get there from the international sea port please.
Written 2 September 2019
Hi, my family (wide, son, his wife, 3 small boys) landed at Port Villa on a cruise ship and took one of the friendly minicabs which are in plague proportions at the gate of the wharf. Tell them where you want to go and NEGOTIATE a price. Try a cab with AIR CONDITIONING as it gets hot and humid and the zoo is well out of town.
Written 2 September 2019
Hi, can you please tell me how far from the cruise terminal it is and can we get a taxi easily to and from there?
Written 10 April 2019
If coming of a cruise negotiating a fair in a fashion is like bartering. Your in a market fenced of place and there is people yelling at you to get a fair from up top of fence on the hill. You can negotiate inside the fence or outside. The ones on the inside tried to manipulate us telling us if we used the ones outside the police would charge me. So I walked up to the police and asked. We paid $40 for the day and had 7 adults. Three kids they did not charge for. This way you do all the sights and pay entry. You can prebook one line of your in a group as well. So look it up.
Written 10 April 2019
$20 adults, cant remember if there was a childrens price.
Written 6 September 2018
we just rocked up, no booking necessary, but make sure its not a day that the cruise ships are in or it can get very busy quickly
Written 22 January 2018
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