The reef
Fish and coral.
Simon_sees from Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Graham Crumb — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jean Van Jean — CC BY 3.0 · Jean Van Jean — CC BY 3.0 · Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand — CC BY 2.0
Hideaway Island, locally called Mele, is a small green island in Mele Bay west of Port Vila, ringed by coral reef and clear turquoise water. Offshore is a marine reserve full of bright fish, and it has an underwater post office. The people of Mele village own the island and lease it to a small resort. The island was settled long ago by Polynesian seafarers. On 26 May 2003 the world's first underwater post office opened here, and visitors send waterproof postcards from a box under the sea. You cross by short boat from Mele Bay beach, then snorkel over the reef, seeing fish and coral close to shore. Colourful kayaks and palms line the sand. From the Mele hills above the bay you see the little island in the blue water. The island is about 8 km in a straight line north-west of Port Vila. You reach it by the resort boat, and an entry fee for the island and reserve is charged, which we could not confirm. Do not touch the coral, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Fish and coral.
Postcards from the sea.
Kayaks and palms.
Mele Bay, west of Port Vila, Efate
By short boat from Mele Bay beach.
Yes, from the underwater mailbox.