Efate

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Revision as of 12:47, 6 March 2016

Efate Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Efate, Vanuatu.

(Click links for more information)
	17°40′S, 168°25′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Map of Efate - click for larger view

Efate is an island in Vanuatu, in the South Pacific.

It is the most populous island in Vanuatu, and contains the national capital, Port Vila.

Cruising the region

The main areas worth visiting on Efate Island are Port Vila, Mele Bay, and Havannah Harbour (or Port Havannah). These are described below. There are also some anchorages adjacent to offshore islands.

Charts

Source

Chart Number - Chart Name

Chart Number - Chart Name

Source

Chart Number - Chart Name

Radio Nets

See Vanuatu Radio Nets.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

See Vanuatu Weather.

Note that Efate is part of the Shefa province of Vanuatu and so the local weather for Shefa will indicate the weather for Efate.

Approach and Navigation

Assuming that you are heading for Port Vila as your first port of call, you can enter the wide Mele Bay from nearly any sea angle. There is a lighthouse on the southern entry point, Pango Point, and there are no obstacles or obstructions in the bay.

After entering Mele Bay, follow the lead lines at 078T (066M) into the outer harbour of Port Vila. From there see the notes on Approach to Port Vila.

Havannah Harbour has to be approached through the southern Hilliard Channel which is wide and deep and contains no obstructions. There is no pass into or out of Havannah Harbour to the north, except for dinghies at high tide.

Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)

There is only one check in facility -- Port Vila. See Vanuatu Customs & Immigration.

Berthing Options

Ports

• Port Vila

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

See Yachting World Vanuatu in Port Vila and also the section below on #Havannah_Harbour.

Anchorages

Mele Bay

17°41.66′S, 168°15.85′E

There is a small anchorage just north of Mele Island, in Mele Bay. This is about the only area in the bay where the depth is shallow enough to anchor, as depths range up to 300 metres in this otherwise sheltered bay.

Havannah Harbour

17°34′S, 168°14′E

Havannah Harbour (or Port Havannah) is a large calm water harbour and sailing ground on the north western side of Efate. It lies between Efate to the east and the islands of Lelepa and Moso to the west. There are huge amounts of anchoring space in Havannah Harbour where the depths allow, close to the shore on the eastern side of the harbour, all along the shore. Up in the north east corner there is good anchoring room in shallower depths on sand. The middle of the harbour is quite deep.

Havannah Beach and Boat Club is around 17°34.42′S, 168°14.78′E with some moorings, marina berths and good shelter. They have toilets and showers ashore and a small yacht charter operation. Moorings cost 1000 vatu per day. Contact phone: 7799077 or 5553578

Port Havannah has quite a bit of WWII history attached to it. Some is discussed on the wikipedia page. There is a small WWII museum on the eastern shore containing a few odd relics of the era.

The snorkelling close to shore is very good. Large amounts of coral and fish can be spotted. Crayfish can also be found although with the amount of coral around they have many hiding holes and can be difficult to catch. Sea anemones and their associated colourful clown fish are fairly common and will delight any children familiar with the film Finding Nemo.

Offshore Islands

Iririki Island

This is the most obvious island from Port Vila, because it's in the middle of Port Vila Harbour. It is entirely occupied by a resort, there are no other habitations on the island.

It can be visited by ferry from Port Vila. There are hobie cats and other activities on the island, there is also a restaurant.

Mele Island

Mele Island (also known as Hideaway Island) is in Mele Bay, not too far from Port Vila. There are regular charter boat trips from Port Vila that visit the underwater post office on the island, which is what the island is best known for. There is also a resort on the island and regular dive tours which run to the resort and the surrounding marine park. Anchoring room is available to the north of the island.

Lesser known is that the Mele islanders are distinct from most of the rest of the ni-Vanuatu population, in that they are Polynesian rather than Melanesian.

Lelepa & Moso Islands

These islands form the northern and western edges of Havannah Harbour. There is apparently an anchorage on the north western side of Lelepa Island but I'm not sure that it would have any advantages over anchoring in Havannah Harbour.

Nguna Island

Nguna Island forms the north eastern edge of Undine Bay on the north coast of Efate. There are anchorages off its north western corner.

Emao Island

This island is off the north eastern corner of Efate. There is a reported anchorage just off its western shore.

Yacht Services and Repairs

See Port Vila.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

• Blue Lagoon
• Mele Cascades

Grocery & Supply Stores

See Port Vila.

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

See Vanuatu Internet.

WiFi coverage can only be expected in Port Vila but there is 3G coverage throughout Havannah Harbour.

Laundry

See Port Vila.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

See Port Vila.

Garbage Disposal

See Port Vila.

Transportation

List transportation (local and/or international.)

Routes/Passages To/From

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Efate on wikipedia

References & Publications

See Vanuatu References & Publications.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated: