Australia Dollars accepted in Port Villa and Luganville?

[dstables]

We are sailing to Port Villa and Luganville on the Sun Princess in February will they accept Australia dollars for taxi cabs and day passes at resorts or do we need VT? If we need VT's where is the best place to convert Australia money into VT's? Also does anyone know if you need reservations at the Irrikki Island Resort for a day pass or do you just show up. I have tried emailing them three times but every time I just get an auto reply saying that they will contact me in a few days but I never do hear from them. And one last question does anyone know how much a cab will be from where the ship docks to where the ferry ride goes to Irrikki Island Resort. Thanks

[Aus Traveller]

On a couple of dozen visits to Vanuatu, we have only used AUD and there has been no question about its acceptance. :)

 

The cost of a taxi to where the ferry goes to Irririki would be AUD$15 although they will try to get you to pay more. The ferry goes from behind the open fruit/vege market at the start of the main street. I haven't heard of anyone booking the day pass into Irririki. You have to pay AUD$20 to enter the resort and this is deductible from any food/drink purchases. By the way, the cost of the taxi back to the ship should be AUD$10. The taxi prices are NOT per person.

Edited January 8, 2017 by Aus Traveller

[peter.kath@hotmail.com]

We are just back from a week in Lugunville and on the day the Pacific Eden was in the markets and the taxi drivers had all their prices in Aussie Dollars.

It is better to have $5 and $10 notes and your change with probably be given back in Vatu.

The are a couple of Western Union offices in the Main Street.

 

 

 

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[dstables]

On a couple of dozen visits to Vanuatu, we have only used AUD and there has been no question about its acceptance. :)

 

The cost of a taxi to where the ferry goes to Irririki would be AUD$15 although they will try to get you to pay more. The ferry goes from behind the open fruit/vege market at the start of the main street. I haven't heard of anyone booking the day pass into Irririki. You have to pay AUD$20 to enter the resort and this is deductible from any food/drink purchases. By the way, the cost of the taxi back to the ship should be AUD$10. The taxi prices are NOT per person.

 

Thanks exactly the information I was looking for!😊

[6666oz]

If we need VT's where is the best place to convert Australia money into VT's?

 

 

Goodies in the main street., just opposite the big yellow duty free shop.

[Tranquility Base]

Re getting to Iririki Island.

 

About 50m past the port gates are some steps used by the $5pp water taxis to & from town.

 

As they go right past Iririki you could ask if they could drop you there.

I don't know whether they are allowed to or not.

 

We have always come back from town via the water taxi.

[Tranquility Base]

We are just back from a week in Lugunville ...... {snip}

 

Any suggestion for the best place in town for a Tusker with a nice outlook ?

Wifi would be a bonus.

 

Thanks.

[SeaDays4Us]

We were in Port Vila in December and used the water taxis near where the ship docks to get over to the shopping area. When we arrived at the wharf, someone was handing out brochures for a day pass for Iririki. You leave from the same wharf.

We did not take up the offer, but it was from 8am to 5pm. Adults 1500VT ($A20 approx) Kids 3-12yrs 750VT and kids under 3 Free. You have use of kayaks, catamarans, pool etc. you redeem the total value on the day pass at food and drink outlets, spa or casino. Don't know if they accepted A$, but all the places we went did. Seemed like a great deal.

[By The Bay]

We were in Port Vila in December and used the water taxis near where the ship docks to get over to the shopping area. When we arrived at the wharf, someone was handing out brochures for a day pass for Iririki. You leave from the same wharf.

We did not take up the offer, but it was from 8am to 5pm. Adults 1500VT ($A20 approx) Kids 3-12yrs 750VT and kids under 3 Free. You have use of kayaks, catamarans, pool etc. you redeem the total value on the day pass at food and drink outlets, spa or casino. Don't know if they accepted A$, but all the places we went did. Seemed like a great deal.

That looks like a great way to spend the day when we are next in Vila.:)

[Vader1111]

Re getting to Iririki Island.

 

About 50m past the port gates are some steps used by the $5pp water taxis to & from town.

 

As they go right past Iririki you could ask if they could drop you there.

I don't know whether they are allowed to or not.

 

We have always come back from town via the water taxi.

Tha water taxis are more than happy to take you directly from the ship to Irririki Island. I did it a couple of years ago.

 

Cost was $5, but I didn't get change when all I had was a $10 note.

 

Entry to the island is $20, but this is deductible from any food and drinks you order while there.

 

The ferry back to town is free.

[peter.kath@hotmail.com]

Lugunville a couple of suggestions.

 

Aore Island, free ferry leaves BP Wharf at 8.30 11.30 returns at 11.00 2.30 and 4.00

A really lovely resort with excellent snorkelling at its jetty area.

 

Natangora Cafe Free WiFi, Great Burgers Cold Beer on the waterfront.

 

The Espiritu Hotel Free WiFi, Beautiful Pool Area, Good Priced Lunches.

 

A 200vt Taxi ride up the hill to the Deco Stop Lodge great views overlooking the ship and the Second Channel with a nice pool.

 

Enjoy your day.

 

 

 

 

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[Tranquility Base]

Lugunville a couple of suggestions........

Many thanks.

[6666oz]

Lugunville a couple of suggestions.

 

Aore Island, free ferry leaves BP Wharf at 8.30 11.30 returns at 11.00 2.30 and 4.00

A really lovely resort with excellent snorkelling at its jetty area.

 

Natangora Cafe Free WiFi, Great Burgers Cold Beer on the waterfront.

 

The Espiritu Hotel Free WiFi, Beautiful Pool Area, Good Priced Lunches.

 

A 200vt Taxi ride up the hill to the Deco Stop Lodge great views overlooking the ship and the Second Channel with a nice pool.

 

Enjoy your day.

 

 

 

 

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Can the ferry trip be done when visiting port via cruise ship ?

[peter.kath@hotmail.com]

Yes, walk though the port area turn left towards town, a couple of hundred metres. There is a sign on the road down to the water advertising Quadman and the Vanuatu Handicraft Markets.

It is only about a 10-15 min trip but really well worth it.

 

The only thing if your cruise is in February You might want to check if it open I did see that it was closing for renovations.

 

 

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[6666oz]

Yes, walk though the port area turn left towards town, a couple of hundred metres. There is a sign on the road down to the water advertising Quadman and the Vanuatu Handicraft Markets.

It is only about a 10-15 min trip but really well worth it.

 

The only thing if your cruise is in February You might want to check if it open I did see that it was closing for renovations.

 

 

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Cool thanks will check it out when we are there :cool:

[cheznandy]

Yes, walk though the port area turn left towards town, a couple of hundred metres. There is a sign on the road down to the water advertising Quadman and the Vanuatu Handicraft Markets.

It is only about a 10-15 min trip but really well worth it.

 

The only thing if your cruise is in February You might want to check if it open I did see that it was closing for renovations.

 

 

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Thanks for all your valuable info on Luganville:)

We are there again in September, last time took a taxi and went to Million$$ Point and to Nanda blue hole, this time looking for something different, although hubby is keen to go back to Million$$ point as the weather wasnt so good last time for snorkelling, although he lasted longer than I did out there, no one else on the beach went in!!

 

How much is the ferry over? Their website states it is free for their guests.

Edited January 10, 2017 by cheznandy

[peter.kath@hotmail.com]

The Aore Island ferry was free when we went.

 

Another idea if your happy to travel away from the port is Turtle Bay or Oyster Island Resorts you could go for lunch and a snorkel there too.

We used Tusty email btusty27@yahoo.com Phone 7755280 he could drop you off and pick you up when you wanted. We paid 2000vt each way . You could probably do Million Dollar Point on the same day.

 

My favorite place is Port Orly but that is easier to visit if you stop at Champagne Bay. But if not Sam who owns Lonnoc Village will take you for 8000vt for the whole day phone 5614970.

 

 

 

 

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[dstables]

The Aore Island ferry was free when we went.

 

Another idea if your happy to travel away from the port is Turtle Bay or Oyster Island Resorts you could go for lunch and a snorkel there too.

We used Tusty email btusty27@yahoo.com Phone 7755280 he could drop you off and pick you up when you wanted. We paid 2000vt each way . You could probably do Million Dollar Point on the same day.

 

My favorite place is Port Orly but that is easier to visit if you stop at Champagne Bay. But if not Sam who owns Lonnoc Village will take you for 8000vt for the whole day phone 5614970.

 

 

 

 

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We are hoping to go to Oyster Island Resort for the day. Do you know how much they charge for a day pass or do you just have to have lunch at their restaurant to stay for the day? Also did you use Tusty to get to the Resort? How long is the drive to the Resort? Thanks for your info!

[peter.kath@hotmail.com]

No charge for Oyster Island, we have found all the resorts are happy for visitors with an unspoken rule that you have lunch or at least a drink.

The only place I noticed a sign was at the Beachfront Resort that asked that to use their very nice pool that you spend a "reasonable amount".

 

Tusty has 3 taxis so he could take you, but any taxi would do. Just ask the price 2000vt each way is fair. Get them to drop you off and return to pick you up at an agreed time and don't pay until the end. It is about a 20 min trip.

 

You can hire kayaks at Oyster to go to the Matevula Blue Hole but if that is what you want to do check first because it was very muddy at the beginning of January.

 

 

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[dstables]

Tha water taxis are more than happy to take you directly from the ship to Irririki Island. I did it a couple of years ago.

 

Cost was $5, but I didn't get change when all I had was a $10 note.

 

Entry to the island is $20, but this is deductible from any food and drinks you order while there.

 

The ferry back to town is free.

 

The water taxi. Is it 5.00 per person one way?

[Aus Traveller]

The water taxi. Is it 5.00 per person one way?

Yes.