day trips

hi,

i was just wondering how many people book their day trips when they go on shore through local agencies. Or if you always prebook your trips.

A friend said suggested to hold off on booking the day trips and just book them when we get to the island.

im a worrier though, and dont want to not book if arriving on the island and finding tours etc will be too stressful!!

hi,

i was just wondering how many people book their day trips when they go on shore through local agencies. Or if you always prebook your trips.

A friend said suggested to hold off on booking the day trips and just book them when we get to the island.

 

im a worrier though, and dont want to not book if arriving on the island and finding tours etc will be too stressful!!

a lot of people book do their own thing when they arrive in port but if you do a ships tour and it runs late the ship will always wait for you but if you do your own thing and you're late you have to catch up with the ship

Austraveller

What islands are you going to? Others may be able to suggest a little more if they knew which cruise you are on. On some of the Islands eg Lifou, there isn't much in the way of tours to book when you get there.

Barry

hi barry,

we are going to noumea, lifou and vila if that helps :)

hi barry,

we are going to noumea, lifou and vila if that helps :)

At Lifou, they have small vans which take you to see a small village (including a chiefs hut) - very cheap, was about $10. So, when we were there we walked up to the church on the cliff tops and then did this small tour ( not especially exciting - but OK) - otherwise you could spend most of the time snorkelling close to where the ship drops you off. In Noumea , you can book a van in the cruise terminal which will take you to the same place as the CHOO - Choo train. Cheap - about $10. Once again nothing to get too excited about. Vila- we got a taxi to take us around for half a day including to the waterfalls. Quite inexpensive and a nice day. At Vila you will be knocked over by taxi drivers.

I got the overall impression - after 2 cruises - that the people of Vanuatu are "keen" on tourism -- but the people of New Caledonia couldn't care less.

Barry

hi barry,

we are going to noumea, lifou and vila if that helps :)

That would be a Pacific Dawn ex Brisvegas cruise, which means that you'll get to Noumea at 3pm. As it is late in the day it would probably be best to try and book any tour through P&O before leaving.

Lifou is more of a "do it yourself" type little island - I'm not sure they even have organised tours.

Vila would be best to book through P&O rather than queueing up to get a bus or cab into town, trying to find a TA, and then booking something.

If you get enough beach time on Lifou, maybe try the Ekasup Cultural Village for a good "potted tour" of island culture and history.

Again, best to book through P&O.

Try for a morning tour - that gives you lots of time to get back into town for the serious stuff - buying your duty free grog, and Vila is the place to get it. :D:p

Others will have different ideas on tours - just my ten cents worth.

Whatever you decide - you'll love it. :)

We are on the same cruise in June and there are 4 tours on the personaliser.

Melanesian Encounter:Gain an insight into the life of Melanesians in Hnathalo, the primary village of the country of Wetr, and visit the chief’s hut.

Cliffs of Jokin: Enjoy a scenic drive across the island of Lifou to the rugged north coast. See colourful flora and traditional homes from the window of your vehicle. The small village of Jokin, which offers spectacular views of its cliffs largely made up of layer upon layer of ancient, compressed coral stone.

Luecila Beach & Scenic Drive: Enjoy a 35-minute ride from Santal Bay to Luecila Beach, located on Lifou’s east coast. See varying landscapes along the way and drive through ‘We’ (pronounced whey), the administrative seat of the island.

Forest & Secret Grotto: Departing wharf-side, take a 10-minute transfer along roads fringed by tropical trees and palms before arriving at the forest. Enjoy a guided walk amongst the native flora to view the different plant species. The informative guide will provide an explanation on their medicinal uses to the Melanesian locals. Inside the Grottos are different formations of stalagmites and stalactites, which can be viewed by torch light.

All are $57 per adult.

click on my pic of pacific sun and on page 7 & 8 are some pics of the Cliffs of Jokin tour we did. scenery was stunning,village itself a bit rundown. They made us these lovely headwear and cut up coconuts to eat. This was 4 years ago so maybe changed now