cruiser079

35 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

I haven't heard of any visitors to Luganville being mugged by a taxi driver so I wouldn't worry about that. Don't try to get taxis 'as you go' - hire one for your whole visit. Plan your day and outline what you want to do when you are negotiating the price. Do this before you sit in the cab so the driver knows he doesn't have passengers until he comes up with a good price. Don't worry about the cost of waiting time - it would be negligible.

Really good advice. Thank you. 

Any idea how much you reckon it would cost for negotiation purposes? 

We probably need 2-3 taxis or a van because there'll be 12 of us.

Also I'm guessing you can just pay in Australian dollars yeah?

1 hour ago, Over from NZ said:

Been there a number of times. Pick up a cab at the port. Million dollar point is fun for snorkeling. Or they can take you to a Blue Hole which is also great fun. Champagne Bay nearby is a very nice beach. 

 

Hideaway Island in Port Vila was good. Google Irikiki Resort as another option for a day. For a small fee.. you get to use the resorts facilities including large pool.. kayaks, etc. 

thanks, any tips in how to get a cab? Do you just take cabs as you go or do you hire one driver for the whole day?

Some of the comments make it sound like it's dodgy but is it dodgy as in "you got to negotiate taxi rates and they might rip you off" dodgy or dodgy as in you might get mugged by the driver?

So I'm going on a South Pacific cruise in about 2 weeks. And they've changed the destination from New Caledonia to Vanuatu. We'll be stopping at Port Vila and Santo - I've been on a South Pacific cruise before but haven't actually been to either of those places. There's going to be about a dozen of us - ranging from 6 to 70 - so trying to get an idea of what to do that isn't going to bore the kids and won't stress out the oldies too much.

For Port Vila, there's this company online that seems to have an reputable online presence - who have a day tour to Blue Lagoon, Eden on the River and Hideaway Island - prices are reasonable adn there's good reviews so I think that is sorted.

I'm having some trouble trying to find info about Santo / Luganville though. It doesn't sound like it's a common destination? Even Viator doesn't seem to have any listed tours or anything.

Anyway, for anyone who has been there - just wonder what there is to do - and how do we go about organising it? Is everything within walkable distance and you don't actually need a tour - kind of like Mystery Island? Is it like Noumea where there's basically a double decker bus you can buy tickets for to take you around? Should I try to book something beforehand? Is this something where we can just get off the ship and there'll be lots of drivers and tour companies for you to negotiate a day trip with?

Thanks first time used this forum, I'll try that board

So I'm going on a South Pacific cruise in about 2 weeks. And they've changed the destination from New Caledonia to Vanuatu. We'll be stopping at Port Vila and Santo - I've been on a South Pacific cruise before but haven't actually been to either of those places. There's going to be about a dozen of us - ranging from 6 to 70 - so trying to get an idea of what to do that isn't going to bore the kids and won't stress out the oldies too much.

For Port Vila, there's this company online that seems to have an reputable online presence - who have a day tour to Blue Lagoon, Eden on the River and Hideaway Island - prices are reasonable adn there's good reviews so I think that is sorted.

I'm having some trouble trying to find info about Santo / Luganville though. It doesn't sound like it's a common destination? Even Viator doesn't seem to have any listed tours or anything.

Anyway, for anyone who has been there - just wonder what there is to do - and how do we go about organising it? Is everything within walkable distance and you don't actually need a tour - kind of like Mystery Island? Is it like Noumea where there's basically a double decker bus you can buy tickets for to take you around? Should I try to book something beforehand? Is this something where we can just get off the ship and there'll be lots of drivers and tour companies for you to negotiate a day trip with?