Pele Island
Pele Island
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.5
97 reviews
Excellent
79
Very good
12
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Jenny H
Tauranga, New Zealand10 contributions
Dec 2019
You can get to this island on your own without going through a tour company. Go to the jetty nearby and approach the local there with their boats and they will tell you how much for a return trip. They will drop you and come back or stay and wait for you.
Take your own food and drinks and snorkelling gear. When you get to the island, talk to a local and you will be charged a small fee for being there. With this you get a table and chairs, including loungers, and your own beach front spot to hang out in. Sun screen and insect repellant also useful. You can wander around the island and go swimming and snorkelling - there are many tracks you are welcome to use. A great day out.
Take your own food and drinks and snorkelling gear. When you get to the island, talk to a local and you will be charged a small fee for being there. With this you get a table and chairs, including loungers, and your own beach front spot to hang out in. Sun screen and insect repellant also useful. You can wander around the island and go swimming and snorkelling - there are many tracks you are welcome to use. A great day out.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
Hobart, Australia62 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Did this trip with Petes Tours and Transfers. pickup at hotel on time. conditions on the boat ride were rough but added to the experience. Met the chief and had a really good chat about his and island life. lunch was basic (but nice) and a few hours snorkelling ( which was good but wouldnt say the best in Vanuatu as some advertise it ) Overall a very enjoyable experience
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiwilanders
Nelson, New Zealand277 contributions
Oct 2011
Having visited Vanuatu in 2010, and stayed at one ni-Van bungalow, we wanted to enjoy the same experience in 2011. We have made a conscious decision to inject as much of our meager holiday spend into the Ni-Van population. Our travel agent was recommended by Everygreen Tours, this relatively newish bungalow. It is on the island of Pele – on the north east coast in Undine Bay. Catch a long boat from Emua Wharf (about 20 mins or so). We had all these transfers pre-arranged via Evergreen. The owner of the Bungalow, Ennoch was very helpful, pleasant, friendly and obliging. The bungalow was small but enough room for our 4 large suitcases and day bags. No electricity at all (as we had expected), however Ennoch very kindly arranged for a re-charge of camera battery with one of the villagers who had solar power. Kerosene lamp was provided. A lovely sand floor dining area was very useful. Washing line was handy. 2 small rooms to the side of the bungalow was for toilet and shower. Toilet used bore water from a bucket as the flush system. Shower was rainwater in a bowl,
Must take – torch or head lamps. We also had mosquito coils, but don’t think they were necessary as there didn’t seem to be the problem that we had on Santo. Bottled water was advised, as us tourists can have delicate tummies!!
Breakfast and coffee was included in the hire price. We paid in advance in New Zealand, 10,500 per night for the 4 of us. Meals were beautifully presented and very filling. We were advised that we could buy the meals for 500 vatu for adults and 250 vatu for children, however the portions for the children were as large as the adults, so paid accordingly. See photos.
We had pre-booked (in NZ) a snorkeling safari. This was organised by Evergreen Tours in Port Vila. We walked to the southern part of the island, and met up with tourists who were on a day trip from Port Vila with Evergreen Tours. It was a fantastic day out. A great welcome by a local chief, with coconut on arrival. Longboats took us all to a pontoon on a reef about 1km off the shore. There was a large drop off into the ocean there – which gave a good variety of larger fish (saw some fantastic stingray). The tour guides, duck dived with bread to feed the smaller fish – quite spectactular. We were in the water for about ¾ hour. Back to Pele for a fantastic semi-Westernised bbq lunch – delicious. Followed by siesta (swimming, more snorkeling, kayaking, lounging in the loungers). Then onto a village tour. The guide, Maurice gave a really good insight into how life is on that particular island and some of the customs / traditions of their lifestyle. We would definitely recommend this tour – even if just going over to the island for the day from Port Vila.
Must take – torch or head lamps. We also had mosquito coils, but don’t think they were necessary as there didn’t seem to be the problem that we had on Santo. Bottled water was advised, as us tourists can have delicate tummies!!
Breakfast and coffee was included in the hire price. We paid in advance in New Zealand, 10,500 per night for the 4 of us. Meals were beautifully presented and very filling. We were advised that we could buy the meals for 500 vatu for adults and 250 vatu for children, however the portions for the children were as large as the adults, so paid accordingly. See photos.
We had pre-booked (in NZ) a snorkeling safari. This was organised by Evergreen Tours in Port Vila. We walked to the southern part of the island, and met up with tourists who were on a day trip from Port Vila with Evergreen Tours. It was a fantastic day out. A great welcome by a local chief, with coconut on arrival. Longboats took us all to a pontoon on a reef about 1km off the shore. There was a large drop off into the ocean there – which gave a good variety of larger fish (saw some fantastic stingray). The tour guides, duck dived with bread to feed the smaller fish – quite spectactular. We were in the water for about ¾ hour. Back to Pele for a fantastic semi-Westernised bbq lunch – delicious. Followed by siesta (swimming, more snorkeling, kayaking, lounging in the loungers). Then onto a village tour. The guide, Maurice gave a really good insight into how life is on that particular island and some of the customs / traditions of their lifestyle. We would definitely recommend this tour – even if just going over to the island for the day from Port Vila.
Written 26 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OWEN J
Brisbane, Australia19 contributions
Apr 2015 • Business
the island has had a breeze come past. the bungaloes are up and going again. to get there
Written 25 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VivienneO64
Christchurch, New Zealand60 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
Our P&O Cruise stopped at Port Vila where we had booked a day trip to Pele Island (there were many many tours to choose from). Going by what the other passengers said their tour destinations were like, our Pele Island one was by far the best!! Our tour guides, Maurice and Johnny, drove 11 of us for about an hour to the other side of the island, then we hopped onto a boat and went out to a paradise island about 20 minutes away. We were welcomed by the village chief of the day on the beach, given a flower necklace and drank out of coconuts. A delicious feast was put on for us and the men in the village played and sang to use whilst we ate. Magic. Then after a snorkel lesson it was onto the boat where we were taken out to the clear blue reef where there were tropical fish galore, huge clams, massive starfish, sea cucumbers. Stunning. Fed the fish bread. Back to the island for a kayak and relax to work on the tan. Then Maurice took us around his village where we met his aunties, neighbours. The most adorable children sang songs to us. This is a village of how people live today, not how they used to live in the past. It was great, fun, clean, excellent amenities, highlight of my whole cruise. Pure post card paradise. If you can't swim (like my husband), there is still heaps and heaps to do. Best tour guides - Evergreen Tours
Written 15 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sam H
Surfers Paradise, Australia143 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
If you are travelling to Vanuatu and miss out on visiting lovely Pele Island, kick yourself in advance!
And if you have visited Efate recently and didn't see Pele Island, kick yourself retrospectively!!
On my 5th trip to Vila over 30 years, I was fortunate to book a day tour of Pele Island through a P&O Xmas cruise, and would loved to have stayed a week. THIS is the real South Pacific!
In an era of staged village tours and events for the camera hungry tourists, Pele shines out as being the real deal...indigenous people living the village life unspoiled by the trappings of over-civilisation.
Our Pele guide Maurice from Evergreen Tours, Vanuatu, gave us an intimate glimpse of village-life, their mores and morals, their rules and traditions. These are wonderful people who opened their hearts and their homes to us and after a day of feasting, music, and snorkelling and siestas on the beautiful beaches, we left enriched by the pure gentility and happiness of the Pele people, who were our family for a day, Boxing Day 2013.
I intend to return there every time I visit Vanuatu in the future to see our new friends from this truly lovely island.
Catch our film production of images of Pele Island on Youtube under "Sam Hillard".
See you there!
And if you have visited Efate recently and didn't see Pele Island, kick yourself retrospectively!!
On my 5th trip to Vila over 30 years, I was fortunate to book a day tour of Pele Island through a P&O Xmas cruise, and would loved to have stayed a week. THIS is the real South Pacific!
In an era of staged village tours and events for the camera hungry tourists, Pele shines out as being the real deal...indigenous people living the village life unspoiled by the trappings of over-civilisation.
Our Pele guide Maurice from Evergreen Tours, Vanuatu, gave us an intimate glimpse of village-life, their mores and morals, their rules and traditions. These are wonderful people who opened their hearts and their homes to us and after a day of feasting, music, and snorkelling and siestas on the beautiful beaches, we left enriched by the pure gentility and happiness of the Pele people, who were our family for a day, Boxing Day 2013.
I intend to return there every time I visit Vanuatu in the future to see our new friends from this truly lovely island.
Catch our film production of images of Pele Island on Youtube under "Sam Hillard".
See you there!
Written 2 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyAnnable
194 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
I lovely little island where all the locals are happy to see you and interact with you. I stayed on pele island for 2 nights at a place called Enoch Bungalows where you pay 3500Vatu per person and have your accom and all meals. The food is some of the best you'll get too. The boat over is 500vatu per person and the bus to the ferry over is also 500vatu per person on local bus.
The island has beautiful beaches and a short kayak ride or boat trip from the coast gives you world class snorkelling.
Just a prefect spot away from the tourist hotspots of the cruises.
Stay at Enoch Bungalows if you stay and him and his family will make you feel at home. Loved this place.
The island has beautiful beaches and a short kayak ride or boat trip from the coast gives you world class snorkelling.
Just a prefect spot away from the tourist hotspots of the cruises.
Stay at Enoch Bungalows if you stay and him and his family will make you feel at home. Loved this place.
Written 3 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brooke M
36 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
We were in Vanuatu for a few weeks but wanted to show our kids (aged 9,12 and 14) a more authentic island experience. We found Simoa Bungalows on Pele island (they also have a Facebook page with Mark's contact phone number). I just rang and spoke to Mark and we worked out what nights to come. Mark and Miriam Strong have a wonderful, basic bungalow with a double bed in the front room and a double and single in the back room, a very functional western toilet with a bucket flush and a bucket shower. Everything was very clean and tidy and right on the most beautiful beach.
There is no power on the island but Mark brings down two solar powered lanterns at dusk (after the spectacular sunset over the water). There are mosquito nets but we didn't need them as there weren't any mozzies. We were cool and comfortable enough at night just with the ocean breeze.
The next day Boris (Mark and Miriam's son) walked us along the beach to his old school. We had some school supplies and magazines on Vanuatu that they loved. Some of the classes are still working in Unicef tents and welcome any donations.
The rest of the time was spent snorkelling straight off the sandy beach. We saw lobsters and a huge eel as well as colourful giant clams and many varieties of fish - fantastic. We also made good use of the hammock and the kids spent hours up the tree on the beach. Perfect and very relaxing.
Take some cards and games with you and some snack although Mark and Miriam cooked us three wonderful meals while we were there including fish, rice, yam, eggs (from the chooks roaming freely), plenty of fresh fruit and yummy pancakes with jam. They keep an urn stocked with boiling water for tea or instant coffee.
Also best to take your own water just to be sure. Also UHT milk if you prefer it over powdered milk. Other than that you only need swimmers, sunscreen, snorkel and a good book. We would go back in a heartbeat but for longer!! The Strongs are in the process of building another two room bungalow - it will be finished when its finished!
It was around $40 Australian dollars for beach-front accomodation and three meals a day per adult. Hard to beat and fantastic value and experience. The yellow "banana boats" go back and forth from Emua wharf (on Efarte) for 2000 vatu (around $25) one way.
There is no power on the island but Mark brings down two solar powered lanterns at dusk (after the spectacular sunset over the water). There are mosquito nets but we didn't need them as there weren't any mozzies. We were cool and comfortable enough at night just with the ocean breeze.
The next day Boris (Mark and Miriam's son) walked us along the beach to his old school. We had some school supplies and magazines on Vanuatu that they loved. Some of the classes are still working in Unicef tents and welcome any donations.
The rest of the time was spent snorkelling straight off the sandy beach. We saw lobsters and a huge eel as well as colourful giant clams and many varieties of fish - fantastic. We also made good use of the hammock and the kids spent hours up the tree on the beach. Perfect and very relaxing.
Take some cards and games with you and some snack although Mark and Miriam cooked us three wonderful meals while we were there including fish, rice, yam, eggs (from the chooks roaming freely), plenty of fresh fruit and yummy pancakes with jam. They keep an urn stocked with boiling water for tea or instant coffee.
Also best to take your own water just to be sure. Also UHT milk if you prefer it over powdered milk. Other than that you only need swimmers, sunscreen, snorkel and a good book. We would go back in a heartbeat but for longer!! The Strongs are in the process of building another two room bungalow - it will be finished when its finished!
It was around $40 Australian dollars for beach-front accomodation and three meals a day per adult. Hard to beat and fantastic value and experience. The yellow "banana boats" go back and forth from Emua wharf (on Efarte) for 2000 vatu (around $25) one way.
Written 16 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lavoon
Sydney, Australia54 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
We arrived in Port Vila via cruise ship and had picked the Pele Island Snorkeling trip as our day trip off the boat. We were picked up by Evergreen Tours in an air conditioned mini bus and Morris Louis introduced himself as our guide for the day. The day consisted of a 45 minute drive followed by a 30 minute boat ride. The view over to Pele island was amazing - crystal clear water and white coral sand beach, just like a postcard. After an island welcome (sea shell blown and we were all handed a frangipani for our hair) those who wanted to snorkel off shore were put into another small boat and we headed out to the reef edge to snorkel. The water was about 30 m visibility with pristine coral and plenty of tropical fish and some rather large red bass. We were all given some bread and used this to attract fish all around us. Spectacular!
Afterward we returned for a buffet lunch and more snorkeling or swimming at the beach . At the end of our stay we were taken through the village and received an informative talk on life on Pele Island.
We also met the village school children who sang to us. Morris, our guide, then explained how the village school did not receive any money from the government and that in order to help with education costs, visitors were asked to post over any exercise books, pens, pencils etc that they could spare.
I found it touching that we were not asked for money at any stage but rather to try and help in a more practical way and I intend to do so.
The tour took 6.5hours from pick up to set down back at the wharf. This was hands down one of the best things we did on the cruise.
I thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone who finds themselves in Port Vila.
Afterward we returned for a buffet lunch and more snorkeling or swimming at the beach . At the end of our stay we were taken through the village and received an informative talk on life on Pele Island.
We also met the village school children who sang to us. Morris, our guide, then explained how the village school did not receive any money from the government and that in order to help with education costs, visitors were asked to post over any exercise books, pens, pencils etc that they could spare.
I found it touching that we were not asked for money at any stage but rather to try and help in a more practical way and I intend to do so.
The tour took 6.5hours from pick up to set down back at the wharf. This was hands down one of the best things we did on the cruise.
I thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone who finds themselves in Port Vila.
Written 11 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cjh
Lennox Head, Australia25 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
We had a very personal tour guide, Maurice. Myself and two teenage kids wanted to visit an island away from the usual petrol, motorised or electronic activities. Fortunately we had the tour to ourselves. The day consisted of pickup from the resort in an air con mini bus , a 45 minute drive followed by a 30 minute boat ride. The view over to Pele island was straight out of a postcard, crystal clear water and white coral sand beach. after an island welcome we headed out to the reef edge to snorkel. The water was about 30 m visibility with pristine coral and plenty of tropical fish as well as a sea snake and some larger red bass. Afterward we returned for a buffet lunch and a siesta under the palm trees. Afterward we were taken through the village and an informative talk on life on Pele Island. The next few hours we spent snorkeling and swimming at the beach before the return journey. My two teenage children rated the day as the best thing we had done on our week at Vanuatu!
Written 10 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
what is the best way to get across to the island from the mainland and rough prices please
only 2 of us and just interested in heading over for a half day of snorkeling and exploring
thanks in advance
Written 18 October 2019
Hello, we are a family of 5 and hoping to rent a car while in Vanuatu. I would love to spend half a day snorking in Pele Island with the kids. I was wondering the best place to catch a ferry or banana boat over and what the cost would be. Can our accomodation pre book this, or do we just turn up and pay on the day?
Written 2 February 2019
Hello, in Emua you can get a boat to Pele Island. There is a little Wharf where you can catch a boat. If you share it with locals (up to 10people) then it is 500Vatu p/p. If you choose to take a private Boat just for yourself then it is more expensive. I'm sure you can book something in advance, but don't need to.
Written 26 March 2019
Hi Travellers! I see in the review above, AndyAnnable mentions that the ferry across to Pele Island cost 500Vatu and the local bus the same. Anyone got any info about where to get this ferry and bus? I would rather just do this myself on my own schedule and timetable rather that as a tour package so these transport options would really suit! Many thanks!
Written 1 August 2017
Hey Sorry! But we ended up going somewhere different so can't help this time but I'm sure you will love your trip. Have a great holiday!
Written 2 January 2018
marymelle2012
Ile-de-France, France
hello , im from new-calédonia;
I woulld know the price by night for a bungalow ? what sort of food you have ?
For drinks , have you some alcool and what sort ?
Thank you for an answer , see you soon
Written 4 March 2017
Hi, does anyone know if it is possible to go to Pele Island for a day and have lunch without taking a day tour?
Thanks,
Debbie
Written 24 February 2017
Hi,
We did this yesterday- our hotel booked Johns Authentic Tour company for us at really short notice. There isn't a shop/restaurant on the island (or at least not one we saw), so take your lunch with you - John was happy to stop at the local supermarket for us to stock up on supplies (we ate chicken & chips on the way + beer) and he bought us some bread to feed the fish. 6000VT for the drive, 5000vt for the banana boat - not exactly cheap (nothing is on Vanuatu), but can definitely be done. Great island for isolation (don't think we even saw another tourist) but the snorkeling spot we went to wasn't the best (just off the beach).
Hope that helps - Happy travels!!
Written 24 March 2017
Can anyone advise if there is a restaurant or good quality food available on Pele Island?
Written 28 December 2016
Hi Andy, Pele island is a village island off the main one, there is no infrastructure, no electricity, no roads. Everything comes in via the small boats they take you there in. The tours they run are one of their very basic means of income. And as the other reviewer said, the village puts on the meal for booked tourists. Ours was very basic but very tasty. It was a little cold because we didn't want o get out of the water in the amazing snorkelling spots they took us to.
Written 4 January 2017
Just come back from our wonderful holiday in Vanuatu. I followed some of the other travelers suggestion and spent 3 nights in Pele, 3 in Nguna and Moso. The accomodations where basic, but clean however the ospitality was 5 stars.
Please be aware that all the phone numbers mentioned on one of the Forum ( with the exception of Moso island) are not currant. However you can get them from the Port Vila information center, which has a list of all the Bungalow operating on all the islands. I suggest to book in advance and use the transport offered by the Bungalow's owner which are much cheaper. Another good way to explore the islands ( Lelepa does not have places to stay) on the west cost of Efate is to stay at Eco lodge which is run by locals and has a good snokling too. They have nice new Bungalows ( which can sleep 4 people and come with an outdoor kitchen/living area) for only $ 100 x night, if you decide to cook your food do your shopping at the market and supermarket ( Le Bon Marche') in Villa because the local supermarket doesn't sell fresh food. The Staff at Eco Lodge can arrange transport to the island at a 1/4 of the price charged by the Tour operators.
Some of the must do in Efate are:
* Melanesian Feast choose one run by locals in their villages, like Secret Garden and Ekasup
*Mele Cascade ( go there with local transport). Go there only if it has rained at least for 4 days prior to your visit.
When we went there was barely any water.
* Zip line. Just the view and the surrounding Summit garden are worth the fee.
* Spend a day in Iririki and Hideaway Island
* Do not miss the fire dance. it is held in different locations during the week. The tourism information office can tell you when and where
*Hire a car for a day and drive to Blu lagoon, Banana Bay,Eton beach and Havan Bayprivate beaches on the north part with stunning view on the northen island of Nguna, Pele and Emao
* Stay in one of the outer island ( Do not miss Lelepa the snorling there is very good, you'll be able to see also the Giant Clamp. Always ask the local where is the best place to snorkle
We found most tours we did were expensive and not a good value.
If you decide to use local transport we recommend Ebol ( 5627196 ) he his very patience, flexible and more important honest. Have a great holiday!!
Written 22 July 2016
Hi is it easy to get back into the boat from snorkelling? I'm worried I won't be able to get out of the water into the boat. Is there a ladder for easy access? I'm a bit older and heavier
Written 9 July 2016
Yes they give you a ladder, the kids and I did it quite easy as did a couple of older guests. :)
Written 26 July 2016
hi how do we contact SEnapapa beach bungalows to book?
thank you
Written 18 August 2015
Hi! My partner and I visiting Vanuatu at the end of July and would love to stay on Pele island. Would anyone recommend a place to stay? Thank you
Written 19 June 2015
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