Last week I posted about our first port stop at the island of Efate, Vanuatu on our recent South Pacific Cruise. Today we take a look at our second port of call which was Mystery Island, Vanuatu.
Mystery Island is a tiny islet off the southern tip of the Vanuatu archipelago and is totally uninhabited. It’s surrounded by clear blue waters, sheltered by coral reefs and is the perfect spot for swimming and snorkelling. It was formerly used as an Allied forces landing strip during WWII.
No-one lives on Mystery Island as it’s considered taboo to do so. On the days when cruise-ships call into the island, the locals come across from nearby islands of Tanna and Anaton to spread their warmth, culture and wares. Mystery Island has no official shops, but locals greet guests with drinks and handcrafted goods for sale. Locals also entertain visitors with dancing and singing.
I thought Mystery Island was absolutely beautiful but personally much preferred Efate because it was inhabited, larger, and I was so interested in learning about the culture and seeing how locals lived. Mystery Island is very much all about tourists and so to me didn’t feel as authentically ‘Vanuatu’. It was typically very hot and humid and the sun is potent so we only stayed on the island for around 1/2 a day (many people did the same). Might sound daggy but if you go I’d suggest taking an umbrella so that you have your own portable shade. Much of the watching of the dancing and singing and browsing the wares for sale is done out in the sun.
I’ve included a couple of video’s I posted to Instagram, followed by some photographs taken on Mystery Island. The images with my MLP watermark were taken on my good DSLR camera and the ones without are phone snaps. See if you can see the difference!
Ciao for now,
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit, Johanna of Lifestyle Fifty, Lyndall of Seize the Day Project,
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age, and Deb of Debbish
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.
28 Comments
The water is so stunning again. I can see how you’d feel like Efate was better though, I think I’d feel the same about a normally uninhabited island.
The water colour is gorgeous and it’s so clear! It was a beautiful island but yep – I was more interested in learning about the people and how they live so Efate was much more interesting to me.
That water is so beautiful – the colours just stunning
I know! I was in awe of the water colour and how crystal clear it was. So beautiful. 🙂
That beach! I’ve never been to Vanuatu. Thank you for sharing your insights about some of its islands.
Umbrellas in the sun? I’m guilty of that, even in suburban Sydney.
SSG xxx
I haven’t done the umbrella in the sun thing BUT I would do it over there if I go again. The sun was harsh!!
I remember docking here on the cruise ship. It was, with Isle of Pines, one of my favourite ports. Your photos do it absolute justice.
Thanks so much Jo!
Oh Min, such beautiful photos – you’re very talented. And what a gorgeous place!
Thanks Deb! Gorgeous little island that’s for sure. 🙂
Lovely photos! The water looks so inviting! Great tip re the umbrella!
Thanks Ingrid! It was SO hot and humid there so yes the water was VERY inviting!
Beautiful photos as always. Love the shots of the kids and water especially. Great captures xx
Thanks Deb. The kids were gorgeous! The water is incredible. Beautiful place. xo
Wow, it looks beautiful Min! You’ve made me want to visit sooooo much!! I couldn’t tell the difference in the photos – I think phone cameras are marvellous these days 🙂 #TEamLovinLife
Thanks Jo! Phone cameras are pretty clever these days, that’s for sure. Nothing beats the sharpness and clarity of a DSLR though 🙂 xo
A tropical paradise, just like Lifou … I’ve never been to Mystery Island. Wonder why it’s called that, and why it’s taboo to stay/live there?
Yes it sure is a tropical paradise and guess what …. Lifou is next! In answer to your questions…a little research tells me that no one lives on Mystery Island because its traditional owners who live on the island next door believe it’s haunted after dark by ghosts. As for why the island is named Mystery Island, well it’s officially called ‘Inyeug’. The cruise-ship Fairstar’s owners (the Sitmar Line) re-named Inyeug as Mystery Island – as it was always a mystery whether they could land their passengers there due because of unpredictable seas. So there you go! I should have put this stuff into the post!
Gorgeous photos – I always love the aqua and blue of the ocean around those islands.
Thanks Leanne – yes the colours of the water around this area is amazing!!
If I didn’t know better, I would think some of those photos aren’t real. The sky with the clouds against that water??? Just truly gorgeous!!
Do you know why it’s called Mystery Island?
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It’s beautiful over there isn’t it? Mystery Island is officially called ‘Inyeug’.The cruise-ship ‘Fairstar’s’ owners (the Sitmar Line) re-named Inyeug as Mystery Island – as it was always a mystery whether they could land their passengers there due because of unpredictable seas.
That is just dreamy. Those photos are amazing.
Thanks Leanne! 🙂 xo
I love your photos of the picturesque Mystery Island, Min. The water is so beautiful and I love the children’s faces 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Thanks Lyndall. The kids were just gorgeous. 🙂 xo
The colour of the water is magical. I also love your photos of the little children. It looks like it would be a great place for a holiday. 🙂
It would be great for a holiday – as long as you kept cool! 😉 xo