Ambae Island
Immortalised by James Michener as the magical island of Bali
Hai
Its' official name, Ambae was known as Aoba
prior to Vanuatu
Islands' independence in the year 1980. It covers 678 square meters
about 50 kilometers east of the Espiritu Santo island. The late American author by the name James
Michener who was stationed in Santo as a United States Navy lieutenant, in World War II, wrote of Bali
Hai as a great mystic isle of fascinating beauty in the Pulitzer Prize winning book "Tales of the South Pacific".
Visible from Santo island, Michener watched the island disappear in the morning
mist, which gave him the inspiration for a magical island paradise, he named Bali Hai. The book
evolved into a Broadway musical with "haunting ballad Bali Hai."
 |
The magical beauty of Ambae island inspired James
Michener's famous
prize-winning book and Broadway musical. |
Settlements on the island
The west and the east of the islands are densely populated, with a few villages in
between. It's an ideal destination for those who like hiking or walking holidays, with a few secluded beaches on
the south parts of Ambae.
How to get there
Being close to Vanuatu's largest island Espiritu Santo, it makes it an
easily accessible island. Transport to the island is available frequently from Santo's largest town of Luganville,
at a relatively modest cost.
Volcanoes
Ambae is actually shaped like an up turned canoe which has a volcano at the
island's center. The Lombenden (1,496 high) has erupted a number times, and most recently in the
year 2005 when the villages near the north coast region were evacuated. It's the largest of Vanuatu volcanoes.
It is possible to actually climb the Lombenden volcano from the Ambanga
village but it is a very rough going, and a guide will most certainly be required. The volcano is described as one
of the top ten most potentially dangerous volcanoes in the world.
 |
Ambae island
is home to Vanuatu's tallest volcano, which is considered
one of potentially most dangerous ones. (Image by Wikimedia) |
Tourist attractions
Ambae itself does attract some tourists, usually coming from Santo. There are
actually 3 airstrips on the island - Walaha, Redcliffe and
Longana airports. The local Vanair company, which serves domestic air routes in Vanuatu
islands, has flights from Vanuatu capital Port Vila and of course from Santo's
Luganville.
Activities
You can snorkel and swim from the beach and/or in the blue hole fresh water pools.
Kayaks and landing crafts are also available for viewing corals. For sightseers, you can get to tour the nearby
village, as well as several other tours.
Devil Rock which is near the Walaha Airstrip is one beautiful
spot and it is possible to go hiking along north coast coming from Walaha towards Saratamata near
the Longana Airstrip.
Holiday accommodation
There are some guesthouses on Ambae island, in Saratamata, Walaha and Nduindui,
which can accommodate visitors. These include Toa Palms Bungalows, Garden Private
Bungalows, and Tui Lodge. There's also a camping ground on the island.
|