Efate

Located at 16.69° S and 168.36° E in the Pacific Ocean, Efate is an island in The Republic of Vanuatu (Shefa Province). It is also known as Île Vate. It is the most populous (approx. 50,000) island in Vanuatu; in terms of land area (899.5 km²) Efate is Vanuatu's third largest island. Most inhabitants of Efate live in Port Vila, the national capital. Its highest mountain is Mount McDonald with a height of 647 m.

During World War II, Efate served an important role as a United States military base .

Politics

Efate is governed by both the Port Vila Municipality and the Shefa Provincial Council, whose governance is the town limits of Port Vila only, and rural Efate and the outer Efate Islands, respectively.

Small Islands off Efate

North and west of Efate are small islands called Eratoka (Hat) Island, Lelepa, Nguna, Pele and Emao. Eratoka (Hat) Island is a small island that, when seen from a distance looks like a floppy hat. This is where the famous Chief Roi Mata, along with his 20 wives, were buried. Nguna, Pele and Emao are stratovolcanoes, which may form the rim of a volcanic caldera to their north.

Survivor

Efate was the location for the US ', the Australian Celebrity Survivor and the French Koh Lanta. Much of the Australian Survivor: Vanuatu was filmed approximately 30 minutes from Port Vila near Mangililu and Gideon’s Landing, the latter of which is now a commonly visited tourist attraction.

Tourism

The capital of Port Vila is the hub of tourism in Vanuatu receiving approximately 60 000 tourists annually by both air transport, cruise ships and the yachting community. Due to the British and French influence both types of cuisine are readily available in the capital. Budget eateries include the scattered Chinese eateries across Vila and the Mummas Market located downtown. Outside of Port Vila a more rustic destination awaits, with most people living a traditional lifestyle: cooking island food or 'aelan kakae', going to tend their gardens daily as subsistence agriculture is the dominant economy in Vanuatu and swimming at the beach.

Port Vila services the domestic carrier Air Vanuatu which services the outer islands of Vanuatu. Popular destinations such as Tanna and Santo can be reached daily from Port Vila, while more remote locations can be reached on a less regular basis.

Efate offers a range of tourism attractions and activities including Mele Cascades, Eton Beach, Tanalilui Road Markets, Round Island Tour, Buggy Fun Rental, Diving and Sunset Cruises.

References

External links

  • Languages of Efate - Bibliography of the island's indigenous languages
  • South Efate language Wikipedia entry.
Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
There are no tips nor hints for Efate yet. Maybe be you will be the first one to post useful information for fellow travellers? :)

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Sunset Bungalows Resort

starting $175

Tropicana Lagoon Resort

starting $129

Quest Apartments

starting $68

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu

starting $185

Mangoes Resort Vanuatu

starting $114

Vila Chaumieres Resort

starting $106

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Erromango

Erromango is the largest island in Tafea, the southernmost province of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
National Museum of Vanuatu

The National Museum of Vanuatu (or Nasonal Miusium blong Vanuatu) is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Teouma

Teouma is a major archaeological site on the island of Éfaté in V

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Lopevi

Lopevi (or Lopévi) is an uninhabited island in Malampa Province,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Ambrym

Ambrym is a volcanic island in Malampa Province in the archipelago of

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Kneiphof

Kneiphof (Lithuanian: Knypava; Polish: Knipawa) was a quarter of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Namiseom

Namisum is a tiny half-moon shaped island located in Chuncheon, South

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Santorini

Santorini (Greek: Σαντορίνη, pronounced ]), officially Thira (G

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Skye

Skye or the Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic An t-Eilean Sgitheanach

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Isla Contoy

Isla Contoy is a small island in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo,

See all similar places