Making the most of Mystery Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships cannot berth here, so passengers travel ashore by tender to this exceptionally small island.
Uninhabited Mystery Island is a tiny island reached by a 10nm boat journey from the large island of Aneityum in Tafea Province, Vanuatu. Its new jetty is intended to make movement easier for cruise-liner visitors arriving at Mystery Island.
Formerly called the New Hebrides Islands, Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands in the south-west Pacific Ocean, lying north of New Zealand and east of Australia.
This small South Pacific jewel sits at the southernmost end of the Vanuatu archipelago and has no permanent inhabitants. Once an Allied forces landing strip during WWII, Mystery Island now offers white sand, palm trees and quiet seclusion. Residents of Tanna cross the water by day to share their culture, warmth and wares. It suits couples, beach enthusiasts and anyone wishing to relax amid ocean scenery and truly escape.
Getting around
Nobody lives permanently on Mystery Island, but visitors are not entirely alone. Bring snorkelling equipment into the calm turquoise water to discover the surrounding coral reef and its plentiful marine life.
Food and shopping
There are no formal shops on Mystery Island. Instead, residents travel daily from Anaton to welcome visitors and sell locally handcrafted pieces, providing authentic mementoes made by skilled artisans and unlike anything waiting at home.
Money
The Vatu (VT) is the local currency and is valued at approximately 1 US cent or 0,7 Euro cents.
Neither tipping nor haggling or bargaining is expected in Vanuatu.
Staying connected
English, French and Bislama are the three official languages.