Lamen Bay

Lamen Bay on the northwestern side of Epi is known for the dugongs that feed on the seagrass beds there, sometimes within a short swim of the beach, along with green turtles in the same water. There is an airstrip beside the bay, a few village guesthouses and very little else. Snorkelling out from the shore is how most people look for the animals, and no encounter is guaranteed.

What you actually see

• The dugongs - the animals feeding on the seagrass in the bay.
• The green turtles - present in the same water and more often seen.
• The seagrass beds - the feeding ground that draws both.
• The airstrip - the grass strip beside the bay, the island's main link.

When to go

April to October is the dry season with the clearest water. November to March is wet with cyclone risk. Dugong sightings are unpredictable in any month.

Honest expectations

Dugong sightings are not guaranteed and can go days without happening. Accommodation is very basic. Flights to Epi are small and cancelled or rescheduled frequently.

Nearby

Lamen Island is offshore, and Epi's east coast is across the island.