Excursion Cultural village & blue lagoon tour at Port Vila

With its blend of cultural exchange, chocolate-making insights, and refreshing swim time at a lapis blue lagoon, this comprehensive excursion will open your eyes – and several other senses – to Vanuatu’s diverse cultural and natural assets.

Visits to a cultural community and a chocolate factory

The drive from the pier to Pepeyo Cultural Village takes just 30 minutes but carries you deep into the realm of Vanuatu’s rich traditions and identity as an island nation. During your 45-minute visit to this lively community, varied presentations will showcase the local ways of life – from utilitarian aspects like fishing and hunting to the more celebratory rituals of firewalking and musicmaking. Overall, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what it is like to be Vanuatuan.

Next up on the agenda is a visit to the ACTIV Center, where local handicrafts, artworks, and – above all –chocolate delicacies are presented. See works sculpted by artisans from all six provinces of Vanuatu. Visit a shop offering local vanilla, pepper, and other spices. And view the chocolate-making process underway in a full-scale factory where award-worthy products are produced and sold. The AELAN Chocolate brand sources its raw cocoa from co-ops around the islands; you’ll have the chance to savor a delicious taste or two of the finished products.

A swim in the blue lagoon

Despite the vibrance of what you’ve already seen, a short drive onward brings you to perhaps the most colorful stop of the day – the crystal blue waters of Efate’s only true Blue Lagoon. A large nature pool of gorgeous aquamarine, it fairly begs you to jump in for a swim. Or you could simply relax in the setting and watch the young locals who often swing crazily into the water for other visitors’ entertainment. Local fruit refreshments will be provided during your hour-long visit. Afterwards, the scenic drive back to the pier takes about 35 minutes.  

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Pepeyo Cultural Village, handicrafts center and chocolate factory, swimming at Blue Hole

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of activity at times over uneven and natural ground and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and numerous steep steps at the sites visited. This tour is recommended for active guests who are in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with back and/or neck problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests with a fear of heights, guests who suffer from vertigo, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear hat, lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, swimsuit, towel from the ship and bring sun protection, biodegradable sunscreen, insect repellent, bottled water, and local currency for purchases. Guests participating in swimming in the Blue Lagoon are required to where water/reef shoes. There are no changing facilities. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence may vary. Basic restrooms and changing rooms are included during the stop. Transportation, guides, venues, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions.