Mystery Island

Mystery Island, called Inyeug in the local language, is a small coral island off Aneityum at Vanuatu's southern end, uninhabited because Aneityum people hold that spirits occupy it at night, and it carries an airstrip running most of its length. Cruise ships anchor off and the population of Aneityum comes across to run stalls and activities for the day. The reef around it is shallow and clear.

What you actually see

• The airstrip - a runway taking up most of a very small island.
• The reef - shallow clear water snorkelled straight off the beach.
• The uninhabited status - an island nobody sleeps on, by custom.
• The cruise days - the whole of Aneityum crossing over to trade.

When to go

April to October is the dry season and calmest. Cruise ship days are when facilities operate; other days it is empty. November to March is wet with cyclone risk.

Honest expectations

On cruise days it is extremely crowded for a small island. On other days there is nothing there at all, including no facilities. Getting there independently means reaching Aneityum first, which is not simple.

Nearby

Aneityum is across the channel, and Tanna is north.