Discover Sounaï

Looking for a hotel in Sounaï and hoping to combine your trip with nature or cultural experiences? In the wider region, Moso Island is known for its rich marine life and is considered an excellent place for snorkelling; the broader destination of Shefa offers additional landscapes and cultural experiences.

Moso Island: snorkelling and day trips

In the wider region, Moso Island is known for its rich marine life and is considered an excellent place for snorkelling. Several private operators offer full-day tours to Moso Island. Depending on the tour, activities may include snorkelling, exploring deserted beaches or visiting a village. If you plan to spend a full day on the water and take a village walk, it is worth checking the itinerary for the specific tour.

According to its itinerary, the full-day tour by Moso Dream Eco Tours & Transfers travels by boat to the village of Sunae on Moso Island. It includes a village walk where guests can learn about the local culture. The programme also includes snorkelling from the boat to explore corals and see fish. While snorkelling from the beach, you may see giant clams and fish feeding. A coconut demonstration and mat weaving round out the tour programme.

A crossing or a full day trip

Visitors can request a banana boat from Gideon’s Landing to a village on Moso Island. According to the tourism office, the crossing takes about 15 minutes. This approximate travel time can help with planning your schedule; check the meeting point and specific connection when making your plans. This helps distinguish the crossing described here from full-day tours, whose itineraries may include several activities.

Shefa as the wider setting

Shefa Province 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. Timetables may change; check connections before travelling. Efate’s landscape ranges from a rugged coastline and gently rolling green inland terrain to fast-flowing rivers, waterfalls, secluded sandy coves and lagoons.

At Eton Beach on Efate, a reef protects the area offshore, where the water is calm and relatively shallow. The beach is suitable for children and adults who are new to snorkelling. Sea conditions vary. The Mele Cascades, a waterfall amid lush tropical forest, offer a different natural setting.

Culture and history in Shefa

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain comprises three sites dating from the early 17th century on Efate, Lelepa and Artok. The UNESCO World Heritage site bears witness to the connection between oral tradition and archaeology, as well as the continuing legacy of Roi Mata’s social reforms and conflict resolution.

In Port Vila, the National Museum of Vanuatu displays traditional objects such as masks, sculptures and ancient tools, along with exhibitions on Vanuatu’s colonial and postcolonial history. Exhibitions may change. Visitors can try kava at many bars in Port Vila; bar offerings and opening hours may also vary.

If you are also planning a trip to Moso Island, check its meeting point and itinerary when planning. The region’s nature and culture offer different considerations for your travel plans, without every activity necessarily being part of the programme at the destination you searched for.

Discover more destinations: Mele Maat, Epule, Port Vila, Port Havannah, Eton, Mele

Return to the broader travel overview: Shefa.