A truly memorable experience: outstanding location, lots to do, superb accommodation and outstanding staff.
All the outstanding bits.
1/ Absolutely beautiful location: ocean at your doorstep, right on a healthy house reef, two islands to explore with excellent snorkelling at both.
2/ Despite the beach being closed for 8 out of the 10 days we were there (strong swell and wind), having free access to boats and a driver meant we were able to snorkel every day. Visibility wasn't great (wind and swell again) but the coral was healthy and fish life abundant. In total we snorkelled in 8 different locations with the drift snorkelling off the 'big island' and the southern eastern tip of Castaway beach being our favourites. A side note: Castaway Beach at low tide is exquisite! We also enjoyed great kayaking and massages were were great.
3/ Rooms are spacious, very well appointed, right on the beach and exceptionally functional. We loved the outdoor shower area (with hot water) where we could wash down snorkelling gear ... and ourselves ... and hang up things to dry. Also loved the private outdoor lounges and table and the lounge gazebo, literally with waves lapping a metre away!
4/ Staff were not staff ... they we family and nothing, ever, was too much trouble. Thank you so much Mac, Max, Balou, Maki, Jenny, Sharon, Melanie, Sele, Siel, Annie, Tony, Pascalle and all the others I've missed. Apologies for spelling!
The Very Good
1/ Excellent breakfast with a wonderful range of hot and cold options.
2/ Wide variety of choices for dinner but a little hit and miss in terms of value and quality. Overall, flavours were a little light for our tastes. Eratap Fish and Chips was the standout for us.
Tips for Travellers
1/ Bring a rope or travel clothes line to string up in the outdoor shower area.
2/ Buy alcohol duty free when you get to Vanuatu ... and when you leave: much better prices than duty free in Australia. At the resort, we ordered a bucket of ice and our mixers for sunset drinks by the water.
3/ The boat drivers will both drop you off wherever you want to go or stay with you while you surf or snorkel.
4/ Take a trip to Port Vila to buy snacks and visit the outstanding food markets.
5/ Take a tour around Efate Island before deciding if you want to visit tourist spots. We did a 4 hour tour that was organised from the front desk and decided that ... well ... we needed to go nowhere else!