Hideaway Island

Hideaway is a small island in Mele Bay a few minutes by ferry from the Efate shore, surrounded by a marine reserve where the reef starts a short swim from the beach and the fish are used to people. Its best known feature is an underwater post box standing in about three metres of water, where waterproof postcards can be posted and stamped, run as part of the Vanuatu postal service.

Background

Also called Mele, the islet is a Polynesian outlier in Shefa Province. It belongs to the villagers of Mele, who lease it to the owners of Hideaway Island Resort. A 24hr boat service runs from the beach at Mele Bay, and the island offers rooms and water sports to visitors. The reserve on the seaward side holds plenty of tropical fish and other sea life. Its underwater post office, one of only a few in the world, opened on 26 May 2003 and works daily, giving letters a waterproof postmark.

Source: Wikipedia, "Mele (island)"

What you'll find

• The underwater post box - a working postal point in three metres of water.
• The marine reserve - protected reef starting a short swim from the beach.
• The reef fish - populations used to snorkellers and easy to see.
• The short ferry - the three minute crossing from the Efate shore.

When to go

April to October is the dry season with the best visibility. November to March is wet with cyclone risk. Weekends and cruise days are busiest.

Good to know

It is busy when cruise ships are in and the small beach fills quickly. A day fee applies on top of the ferry. The island is small and half a day covers it.

Nearby

Mele Cascades are inland, and Port Vila is east.

Key facts