Mele: Waterfall and Marine Reserve Nearby
Accommodation in Mele
Mele offers a distinctive natural highlight in the form of Mele Cascades; nearby, you can also enjoy marine and other travel experiences. If you’re looking for hotels in Mele, it’s worth choosing your destination based on what you want your trip to focus on: a waterfall in tropical forest, a marine reserve, or cultural sites in the wider destination of Shefa. This lets you match your choice of location to the experiences you want to make time for.
Forest and Marine Reserve Nearby
Mele Cascades is a waterfall surrounded by tropical forest. Nearby, in Mele Bay, is Hideaway Island, a marine reserve. It is home to the underwater post office, considered the first of its kind in the world. The waterfall and reserve offer different highlights: a forest landscape nearby and marine nature in the surrounding area.
In the wider Port Vila/Efate area, admission to the Beach Bar Friday Fire Show is free; donations are welcome. Check whether the event is taking place before you visit.
Shefa as a Regional Setting
The wider destination of Shefa includes the main island of Efate. Efate is accessible via Bauerfield International Airport and connected to the surrounding islands by domestic flights and maritime links. If your trip includes these connections, check current schedules, as they may change. Efate also features a rugged coastline, gently rolling green hinterland, fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls, secluded sandy coves and lagoons.
Hideaway Island is a five-minute ferry ride from Mele Beach on Efate. Travel times and ferry operations may change; check the connection in advance. The Blue Lagoon is also on Efate: it’s a 45-minute drive from Port Vila city centre. Travel time may vary depending on road conditions.
Other destinations in Shefa include Eton Beach. A reef protects the area in front of the beach, where the water is calm and relatively shallow. The beach is suitable for children and adults who are new to snorkelling; conditions may vary.
Culture in Shefa
Chief Roi Mata’s Domain comprises three sites dating from the early 17th century on Efate, Lelepa and Artok. The World Heritage site bears witness to the connection between oral tradition and archaeology, as well as the continued influence of Roi Mata’s social reforms and conflict resolution. Alongside the individual sites, their cultural and historical context is also a key focus.
At the National Museum of Vanuatu in Port Vila, you can see traditional objects such as masks, sculptures and ancient tools, as well as exhibitions on Vanuatu’s colonial and postcolonial history. Exhibitions may change; if you’re interested in a particular topic, check what’s currently on offer in advance.
Discover more destinations: SounaĂŻ, Mele Maat, Epule, Eton, Port Havannah, Port Vila.
View the wider travel overview: Shefa.
