The Habitat Of A Rich Wild Life – The Island Of Vanuatu
Posted On November 27, 2009
The Vanuatu Island, officially the Republic of Vanuatu or the Republic de Vanuatu as it is called in French is an archipelago, a land that originated from volcano, in the South Pacific Ocean. This island nation is about 500 kilometers north east of New Caledonia.
This Nation Island was first inhabited by the Melanesian people. In the late 18th century, Europeans began settling here, followed by France in 1880s and the United Kingdom, claiming parts of this nation island of Vanuatu. They agreed on a joint framework in 1906 for managing the archipelago. After the struggle for independence that sparked off in the 1970s, the Island gained freedom and was declared a republic in 1980 and hence became the Republic de Vanuatu.
Best time to visit
The climate of Vanuatu Island is hot and rainy. In the north it is tropical while subtropical climate prevails in the south. While the rainy season is officially in the months of November to April, you can expect tropical shower at any time in a year.
The months from July to September are relatively cooler and drier as well. July is the season for hiking at Vanuatu Island and hence is also a peak time for tourists to visit the place.
How to reach
The Vanuatu Island is just little more than two hours by flight from Auckland, New Zealand. Those of you traveling to the Island from America, need to get on to a connecting flight at Fiji to get here. There are daily domestic flights in the Island and ferries too.
Tourist attractions in Vanuatu Island
There is a lot to see and do in the Island of Vanuatu. Once you step in this Nation Island, there is a lot to keep you busy, unless of course all you want to do is resign yourself at one of its beaches. A number of natural attractions here like the beaches with crystal clear water and the long stretches of white sand and the water falls are accompanied with other major source of tourist attractions and entertainment like a wide variety of wild life, excursions to places that are a little far from the Island, among others.
There are a number of outdoor activities that you could participate in and enjoy like horse-riding in club Hippique, scuba diving, parasailing from Nautilus, game fishing, playing Golf at Mele and cruising, especially the Coongoola Cruise Ride, among other activities that are common to island that are reputed tourist destinations.
Excursions in Vanuatu make for major tourist attractions in the island and are actually a good idea if you have that much time in your hands and if you are game for sudden unplanned trip once you reach your destination.
There are several places around that are worth visiting and that can be a better, in-depth introduction to the country. The Hideway Island is a good place for some recreation and relaxation. There is a nice snack bar on this Island. You can have some good time here while you are reading or drinking, and there also are opportunities for snorkeling.
The Mele Cascades attracts the tourists for its waterfall. There is also a jungle here that you can walk through. Another 
attraction of the Island of Vanuatu that you must go to is the Eton Beach that is good for surfing, fishing and snorkeling as well. There is a fresh water stream that meanders and pours into the salt water sea.
Ekasup village is something you don’t want to miss out on your excursions in the Vanuatu Island.
A must visit place that you should include in your itinerary for the Island of Vanuatu is the Lelepa Island. It truly deserves a day and in fact takes it away from you easily. There are caves you can walk to. Of course, snorkeling, fishing and playing with dolphins can certainly not be ruled out in any place in the Vanuatu Island. There are several outlets that rent the snorkeling gear here.
Vanuatu Island has a rich wild life and you can spot wild life like sea turtles, pteropodid bats, banks flying fox and other such animals here. If you are an animal lover, you must visit the Yasur Volcano on Tanna Island which is rich in flora, fauna and bushes. The Yasur volcano is an active volcano and a major tourist site of this Island.
There are several rain forests on the Island of Vanuatu that are the habitats of a large species of birds and animals. The island has about 80 species of birds, of which 30 are the native birds. Some of the mammals found here include the pteropodid bats and the microchiroptera. The island is also the habitat of salt water crocodile, a species that is endangered because of hunting and cyclones in this region.
Sea turtles such as Hawksbill turtle here too are an endangered species as they are killed for their meat, eggs and shells. The Vanua –Tail Natural Resource Monitors has been set- up here for the protection of the turtles and their eggs.
Dining and shopping too have ample scope in the Nation Island of Vanuatu. There are local markets as well as duty free shops from where you can purchase those popular Huka skirts as well as beach wear, shells and bags among a plethora of items and souvenirs.
There is a Museum and Cultural Center that has a lot of information about the history of the Nation Island of Vanuatu.
The Museum and Cultural Center: The museum contains lots about the interesting history of Vanuatu.
The Island of Vanuatu has everything that an international tourist destination should have. There are beaches and forests, scope for water sports as well as plenty to discover through exciting excursions. In simple words, this Nation Island promised the tourists a fun filled trip with memorable experiences to take away from here and linger on to for the rest of their lives.
