Mystery Island, Vanuatu – a Snorkelers’ Paradise

Mystery Island is a secret gem off the Vanuatu Archipelago in the South Pacific – and not a car within cooee!  (The official name is Inyeug Island)

This tiny tropical island, just a dot on the globe, is mainly visited by cruise ships but does have a small grass airstrip.  This means you can catch a flight from Port Vila three times a week. (Flight time two hours on a small plane).

A snorkelling and water activity paradise, or total relaxation awaits…

Mystery Island is totally uninhabited – at night that is!  When a cruise ship pulls in you’ll see boatloads of locals heading to the island getting ready for the onslaught of visitors – in our particular case it was Royal Caribbean’s magnificent “Explorer of the Seas”.   At least the only other people using “your” island are guests on the ship, ie no foreigners!

Fun Times on the Island

At the risk of sounding like a travel agent – the island (1,000 square metres) is surrounded by the bluest water you’ve ever seen and is definitely in “the Picture Postcard” category.

When you get off the jetty, look into the crystal clear waters underneath and see hundreds of brightly coloured  tropical fish swimming around the piles.

From the jetty it’s only a few metres to the central area of the island that’s only one kilometre long and 200 metres wide.  Here you’ll find everything the island has to offer – tours, markets, food, drinks and snacks.

Lots of local singing and dancing creates a tropical island atmosphere.  Time to go in search of a grass skirt so you can join in.

What to do for the Day?

There’s lots of activities that can be pre- booked or on board the ship, but unlike many destinations you can also book on the island (generally at a reduced rate).  These include:

Snorkelling:

The Snorkel Safari is a must do for anyone visiting this special island in the South Pacific You’ll get to explore the underwater mysteries of the coral reefs with your own guide.

If you can’t snorkel, this is the time to learn and then enjoy hand-feeding schools of colourful tropical fish.

The crystal clear waters and spectacular coral formations make this a perfect way to enjoy the island.   (Some people had their own snorkelling gear, but there’s no need because equipment is provided as part of the Snorkel tour).

Kayaking in see through boats.

These kayaks are fascinating, because while paddling you just look between your legs and see the fish swimming along with you! (NB – there’s always a motorboat ready to tow you back to shore if the arms give in from paddling).

Stand Up Paddleboards

Piling on the calories from cruising?  A workout on these paddle boards will help to shed a few before your next degustation at the dining room!

Water Activities Not Your Thing?

Let’s face it, not everyone wants to get into the deep blue ocean, but there are many alternatives on offer.

A Modern Village Tour:

This is your chance to have a cooking and kitchen demonstration and visit gardens to learn about traditional medicinal plants. (Just resist the urge to take plants back on the ship because the Customs Officer would have a heart attack!)

Get a massage

There’s a huge range of massages on offer from foot, legs, neck and shoulders, back and full body. The foot massages seemed to be the hot seller of the day.

Maybe Have Your Hair Braided?

There’s a large open air “braiding hut” with a row of island ladies waiting to talk you into having braids.  A good idea really because it means when you’re on the top deck of the ship your hair doesn’t get messed up!

Walk or Relax on the Beach

The walk around the island only takes about 40 minutes at a slow pace. The island is narrow, the beach is easy to walk on and there’s established sand walking tracks adjacent to the beach.

With beach access on both sides of the island there’s plenty of space to find your own patch of sandy real estate.  The only aim of your day will be totally relaxing and listening to the sound of small waves lapping the beach.

Beach Village Markets

Wander through the beach village markets and chat to the friendly locals selling sarongs, postcards and other island trinkets.

This is a chance to buy that grass skirt you’ve always wanted!

Food and Snacks

There’s a pleasant little sand floor café with ocean views that sells coffee, biscuits and packaged snacks – all very inexpensive and a chance to give a bit back to the local people.

Although I did hear stories of people having eaten cooked lobster and banana pie, sadly I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere because those delicacies were never in my vision.

But…here’s the banana pie recipe for you to try at home:

Banana Pie

• 2 cups flour
• 3 teaspoon butter
• 1 egg
• 1 can coconut milk
• Sugar vanilla
• 6 bananas

Method

• Mix butter with flour and add one egg
• Cut bananas and add a little sugar to them.
• Put dough in pie dish. Spread it like you would a crust.  But.. it wont bake like a crust so don’t worry that it’s not thin (i.e. don’t bother rolling it.)
• Poke holes with a fork in the dough. Add bananas to dish. Cover with 1 can coconut milk. Bake till dough looks done.
• (The recipe I found didn’t have the cooking time, but I’m sure it’s similar to any other baked pie desert.  If you know I’d be happy to hear from you)

Currency on Mystery Island

One Australian dollar is worth approximately 80 VUVs, but to keep things simple take some $5 and $10 Australian notes (or equivalent in US$) ashore. It would be a shame if you wanted to buy a cap for $5 and got $45 back in VUV coins that you can’t use anywhere else on your cruise!

But…why the name Mystery Island?

Well…it’s not because of cannibals, but there are a few different stories.

These range from everything to Queen Elizabeth’s news reporter naming it, to earlier cruise ships struggling to get their lifeboats ashore – so…it’s all a MYSTERY to me!

 

Mystery or not – most people getting back on ship were saying “/hatWish we could stay longer”.

Facilities on Mystery Island:

• Clean Toilets
• Soft drink and snacks (no alcohol is sold on the island)
• Airstrip for short flight from Port Vila, Vanuatu

Need to Take:

• Sunscreen/hat
• Umbrella if you want shade on the beach
• Water (take off the ship and save your money for other island delights)
• Small US and Australian bank notes for spending at the markets
• My Gypsy Travel Tips might help for other holidays