Discover Epule

Take the Epule Linda Tour to the village

The Epule Linda Tour takes guests from the sea upriver by canoe to Epule village. This makes the journey on the water itself part of the excursion. The tour is owned by the community of Epule Village—a concrete consideration for travelers who also pay attention to local ownership when choosing an experience.

On arrival, local warriors welcome guests with a traditional dance, wearing traditional clothing and carrying spears. Guests are then led to a small hut. The experience includes a shared feast and entertainment by a local string band. Guests can also swim in the river. If you plan to take the tour on a particular date, check in advance whether it will be running then.

Shefa as a regional setting

The wider destination of Shefa includes the main island of Efate. Efate is accessible via Bauerfield International Airport and is connected to the surrounding islands by domestic flights and maritime services. If you include several places in Shefa in your trip, these connections can be part of your planning. Flight and boat schedules can change, so check the latest times before you travel.

A ferry runs from Mele Beach on Efate to Hideaway Island in five minutes. Travel time and ferry service may change, so check the connection before your visit. The Blue Lagoon on Efate is also easy to plan around: it is a 45-minute drive from downtown Port Vila, although road conditions can affect the journey.

Nature, beaches, and culture in Shefa

The landscapes of the wider destination of Shefa include a rugged coastline, gently rolling green countryside, fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls, secluded sandy coves, and lagoons on Efate. Mele Cascades is a waterfall amid lush tropical forest. Eton Beach offers a different experience: the area in front of the beach is protected by a reef and has calm, relatively shallow water. The beach is suitable for children and adults who are new to snorkeling; conditions may vary.

Cultural destinations in Shefa include Chief Roi Mata’s Domain. It comprises three sites dating from the early 17th century on Efate, Lelepa, and Artok. The area bears witness to the connection between oral tradition and archaeology, as well as the continuing influence of Roi Mata’s social reforms and conflict resolution. The historic sites offer a different focus from the welcome and shared meal on the Epule Linda Tour: here, the cultural heritage of an early period takes center stage, while the tour is shaped by the encounter with dance, music, and a communal feast.

In Port Vila, the National Museum of Vanuatu displays traditional objects such as masks, sculptures, and ancient tools, as well as exhibitions on Vanuatu’s colonial and postcolonial history. Exhibitions can change. Visitors can try kava at many bars in Port Vila; bar offerings and opening arrangements can also change. If a museum visit or a taste of kava is an essential part of your plans, check current exhibitions and offerings in advance.

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Explore more destinations: Port Vila, Mele Maat, Mele, Eton, Port Havannah, Sounaï

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