Marine Reserve Hideaway Island Mele Port-Vila • EnezGreen

The Marine Reserve of the small island of Hideaway

Hideaway Island is located a few hundred-metre off the coast of Efate Island and some ten kilometres from Port Vila. Close to this coral island are a very beautiful sea wall and a pass that make it a choice place to swim or indulge in water sports a short distance away from Port Vila. Among the tourist infrastructure on the island is a hotel, a restaurant as well as a quality dive centre which offers the services of instructors who will take you to scuba diving or snorkelling.

However, Hideaway Island is a highly frequented place and may not be the ideal place for those who want to enjoy the wild side of Vanuatu. On the other hand, if you are looking for some ancillary services during your stay, this is the place to visit. A shuttle provides a round-the-clock service to the coast.

In all cases, it should be noted that besides scuba diving, this place offers real opportunities for those who want to learn snorkelling or who are looking for a guide that will accompany them to the sea wall. The latter will also answer the multiple questions they will most probably have regarding the fauna or flora.

This excellent introduction for a first time in Vanuatu will help you get acquainted with the underwater landscape and build confidence. The place wonderfully lends itself to discovery with a beautiful coral landscape and abundant reef fauna. The visibility is excellent as this large bay is sheltered from the dominant winds.

The only underwater mailbox in the world

One of the highlights of the submarine life in Vanuatu is the underwater postbox located a few metres away from the shore of Hideaway Island, the only underwater post office in the world! Plastic-coated postcards are available locally and you can post them using this box located at three metres deep. The mail is collected once a day and it works!

You may also rent a kayak and go for an outing along the reef or across the kilometres-long bay. Some small sandy islets emerge at low tide and you can land on them to enjoy a calm swim.

Diving, key-features

A site remarkably preserved ★★

The few hundred meters between the island of Hideway Effate the coast of travel with a shuttle present at all times. The island enjoys an exceptional location for the practice of aquatic activities and especially underwater. The coral reefs of the bay are beautiful and well-preserved and allows single pass along the outer reef. The maritime area is placed in reserve which allows to meet a protected abundant wildlife.

A property of the marine environment Mele tribe ★

Hideaway Island Mele is also called island because it is the property of the tribe of Mele who rents a company operating for tourism. Many of the tribes are working on the island.

Snorkeling and scuba diving are ideal to admire the coral reefs and go to meet thousands of teeming fish in the reserve. It is also possible to hire a dinghy or kayak.

A good range of services

Several services are available but please note that some of them are not sustainable at all.

Renting a snorkeling equipment.

Going for a snorkeling tour with an instructor who pilots you along the reef and in the pass.

Booking a dive trip with certified instructors.

Booking a kayak or a sailing dinghy.

Buy waterproof postcards at the souvenirs shop.

Drop the postcards to your friends in the only underwater mailbox of the world!