Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Bay of Islands
Off the northwestern tip of Vanua Balavu is the pretty
Bay of Islands
, known locally as Qil-
aqila, a collection of deep indented bays, islands and islets, secluded beaches and limestone
cave, with excellent snorkelling available in its brilliant turquoise lagoon. The bay makes an
exceptional anchorage for visiting
yachts
between May and October (for permission to an-
chor, contact the government station in Lomaloma on VHF channel 16). The islands them-
selves are mostly impenetrable - difficult to approach by boat and covered in a tangled mass
of shrubs and ironwood trees. However, there are a couple of walking tracks worth exploring,
as well as easy access to
Vale ni Bose
, “the Meeting Place of the Gods”. This huge cathedral
cave, over 40m high, is full of stalactites and has several windows letting in dashes of light -
note that at high tide you'll be wading chest-high in water.
ACCOMMODATION: VANUA BALAVU
Moana's Guest House
A 15min walk south of Lomaloma 889 5006,
moanasguest-
houses.com
.
The only official accommodation on Vanua Balavu offers two simple beachside
bures with mosquito nets, shared toilet, cold-water shower and solar power. You'll be well
fed with local vegetables and fish, although note there are also several small stores in Loma-
loma Village where you can buy snacks.
Moana's
can organize village visits, hiking trips and
boat trips to both Raviravi Lagoon and the Bay of Islands (bring snorkellin
g gea
r); a vehicle
for sightseeing costs F$50 for half a day. Rates (per person) include meals.
F$95
Vatu Vara and the private islands
To explore the Northern Lau islands
beyond Vanua Balavu
, you could try hitching a ride
on one of the yachts anchored in the Bay of Islands. Alternatively, with some persuasion and
around F$400 in cash, you could ask a boatman from Lomaloma Village to take you on a
day-trip. One of the most dramatic islands to visit is forest-covered
Vatu Vara
. Its 305m plat-
eau is the highest point in the Lau Group and can be seen from Vanua Balavu, 60km to the
