Tender/Dock locations ??

We are cruising to several locations in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in Jan 2016 and attempt to find activities in the ports. Big problem is not knowing where in the port ships tender/dock.

Anybody know exactly where ships tender/dock in the following locations (as stated by RCCL)?

- Noumea

- Lifou

- Port-Vila

- Vanuatu (Champagne Bay)

- Vanuatu (Mystery Island)

- Mare

Thanks in advance

John & Karen

We are cruising to several locations in New Caledonia and Vanuatu in Jan 2016 and attempt to find activities in the ports. Big problem is not knowing where in the port ships tender/dock.

 

Anybody know exactly where ships tender/dock in the following locations (as stated by RCCL)?

 

- Noumea

- Lifou

- Port-Vila

- Vanuatu (Champagne Bay)

- Vanuatu (Mystery Island)

- Mare

 

Thanks in advance

 

John & Karen

Noumea...prob the container terminal. Depends on the size of ship, but most RCCL will go here. Free shuttle buses are supplied all day long, and go to and fro this container terminal to the main (smaller) port terminal. The smaller port terminal is situated in the city, approx 5 mins drive away. Very cheap tours available from the main terminal on a walk up basis, most $20 to $25pp. They will take aussie dollars here. To the right of the smaller main terminal is a shop called 'Casino'. Can't miss the sign....they also take aussie dollars, and there is an atm outside this shop if needed. Noumea is pricey, however it can be seen cheaply via tours mentioned before. Two blocks further into town from Casino, is Coconut Square. This is the centre of town, a park, and also where you can purchase local bus tickets at the info centre (also aussie dollars).

Lifou, Champagne Bay, Mare and Mystery Island are all tender, with tender rides being short/quick. Champagne Bay is by far the best beach in the Sth Pacific. You will be able to purchase local tours once there, to various places like the Blue Holes. Mare is a newish port, with very basic facilities. You really have no choice but to purchase the ships tour to the beach. Not much in town to occupy even a half day. Mystery Island is another beach day, but a great day. Nice walks around, markets, swimming etc. Reminds me of Gilligans Island. Lifou is also beach day, but loads of local things to see and do at minimal cost. All these islands take aussie dollars. Make sure you have plenty of small notes, as change will be given in their local currency.

Vila....ship docks here, but it is too far to walk into town esp in heat. Many local cars/shuttle busestaxis available at a cheap cost. If you are not doing a tour here, then return back to ship is easy, as locals in cars/taxis etc are on lookout for return fares anywhere in main street (shopping area). You will be asked many times if you wish to return to ship! This is the cheapest place by far to purchase goodies and duty free. Alcohol purchases will be delivered back to ship for you, common practice, hence you can shop in morning if you wish. Aussie dollars also accepted widely. So many choices of things to do here, and a place that is easy to return to.

Hope that helps.:)

...

 

Lifou, Champagne Bay, Mare and Mystery Island are all tender, with tender rides being short/quick. Champagne Bay is by far the best beach in the Sth Pacific. You will be able to purchase local tours once there, to various places like the Blue Holes.

 

Hope that helps.:)

Thanks,

I am trying to determine if I can get to a business that I think is located in Luganville. Dive shop called Aquamarine Santo. Address is "Main St, Luganville" or at least I think it is. Is Champagne bay the name of the village we tender to?

My contact says Champagne Bay to their shop in town is 45-50 min ride which is way to long for me to go alone.

Thanks

John

Champagne Bay does not have any village. It is an isolated beach. Let me say that again....it is a VERY isolated beach (ie no power, no shops, no phones, no main roads, no buses, just skinny dirt tracks for roads until you get closer to Luganville etc), located as you say a good, and rustic/bumpy hours drive from Luganville. Luganville is the main town for the island of Santo. Def not possible for you to get there from Champagne Bay and back. Far too risky. I def would not trust a lone trip....you may get stuck! Cell phone usage will also prob not work out there. There will be no transport at Champagne Bay, just locals with a few cars for closer tour spots. Perhaps the dive shop Aquamarine could offer advice. They may visit Champagne Bay for the day whilst ships are in port......but, I doubt it. Worth an enquiry. Some ships do dock at Luganville, and the dive shop does many dives in that immediate area, such as the SS Coolidge (amazing). Luganville itself is also small, with just the one main road.

These islands/ports are vastly different to the Caribbean, with all the tender ports being isolated/rustic/virtually untouched. However, they are unique, beautiful and interesting because of this. Noumea and Vila are more commercial. Noumea would be the closest akin to Caribbean ports, with Vila coming second. Vila has more to offer in my opinion. Btw, there are great dive spots around Noumea too, and some great dive companies that will pick you up at port and drop you back in time. Same goes for Vila.

Just adding. Here is one reputable dive tour operator in Noumea that I can recommend. They fit in with ship timetables too. There are many others.

http://www.aquanature.nc/en/accueileng.html

Just adding. Here is one reputable dive tour operator in Noumea that I can recommend. They fit in with ship timetables too. There are many others.

http://www.aquanature.nc/en/accueileng.html

Bobhsv,

Thanks.

I think I will do my scuba dives on couple of the first 3 stops (noumea, lifou and port-vila). Will enjoy the small island/beach life on the other stops.

I also checked the url for aquanature. No mention of scuba diving only snorkeling.

John