Aneityum

Anatom (more commonly spelled Aneityum, and sometimes also Kéamu) is the southernmost inhabited island of Vanuatu. It's origins are volcanic and the landscape mountainous. Rich volcanic soils and a slightly more temperate climate encouraged the growth of magnificent stands of sandalwood trees. The island contains 84 species or orchid, and some remaining sandalwood trees, which escaped logging in 1800's and 1900's.

Petroglyphs are found on rocks scattered around the island. They show representations of sun, moon, stars, people, birds, fish, and geometrical designs.

It has a current estimated population of 550. It is believed to have had a population of possibly as large as 12,000 prior to the arrival of the Europeans in 1793. Introduced diseases and blackbirding are believed to have been the major factors in the depopulation.

The island was the first centre of the Presbyterian church and the haunting remains of the once largest missionary church in the Southern Hemisphere now stand in ruins. Built by Rev. John Geddie, the first Presbyterian missionary to establish himself in Vanuatu, the stone church was designed to seat 1,000 people. During his mission the Reverend Geddie managed to convert around two thirds of the islands population (around 3,500 at that time).

The island is surrounded by coral reefs and beaches.

The modern Aneityum has few buildings and no cars apart from the few vehicles of the kauri replanting forestry project. It is ideal for the keen bush walker, with a 50km walking trail around the island. The flora of Aneityum is more like that of Australia than Vanuatu due to its southern latitude. Several waterfalls and hot springs can also be visited.

The island is surrounded by live coral reefs offering excellent snorkelling. Beautiful white sandy beaches stud the embayments, adding to it's natural charm.

The only airport is not on the island itself, but the much smaller nearby Inyeug Island. Vanair services the island twice weekly from Port Vila and Tanna.

Inyeug is periodically visited by several hundred tourists arriving on cruise ships, for it is the famous "Mystery Island" , reached by launch from cruise ships anchoring inside the magnificent turquoise waters between Inyeug and the mainland.

It is an exceptionally peaceful place to stay with two basic rooms and toilets outside. No meals are provided and food cannot be readily purchased so you need to provision in Tanna before arriving. Fresh water must be brought from Aneityum to Inyeug so anyone wishing to stay here must be well provisioned and must pre-book before going.

The main language of Anatom is called Aneityumese or Anejom. It is considered to constitute its own branch of the South Vanuatu languages.

Thank you Luc for providing this promotional video.

Places To Stay

Kenneth's Bungalows

Miko Guesthouse

Mystery Island Guest House

Vanuatu's hidden jewels on and around Aneityum:

For many years, tourists have discovered Aneityum via Cruise Liners dropping in for day tours of Mystery Island. Now you can enjoy all that Mystery Island AND Aneityum has to offer by accessing both islands via Port Vila and Tanna:

Mystery Island - offers visitors a 'Robinson Crusoe' style gettaway which can be customised to your every need. Activities and places to go include:

Reef Snorkeling - Mystery Island is an atoll with expanses of calm waters protected from the Pacific Ocean by the outer reef. Depths vary from very shallow - 0.5M to approximately 6M in some areas. The waters surrounding the island are a marine sanctuary and therefore there are no fishing activities inside the outer reef. Consequently there are myriads of fish and mollusc species to be viewed and photographed.
Beach Walking - Mystery Island is approximately 800 metres in length and approximately 70 metres wide. A leisurely stroll will see you walking around the island in about 1 hour and 40 minutes (depending on your level of relaxation, the number of photographs you stop to take, or the number of different views on offer that you wish to simply stop to enjoy and appreciate).
Mystery Island Markets - when Cruise Liners visit Mystery Island for Day Visits, the Market Place springs into life with Stalls offering many locally made trinkets and Lobsters cooked right before your eyes. There are activities such as live String Bands, fish feeding, sail canoe rides and guided snorkeling adventures around various locations inside the reef.

On the 'mainland' which is Aneityum itself, there are many experiences to be enjoyed both on land and on water:

Guided tours of Missionary John Geddes artifacts and ruins (circa 1840).
Guided Photographic Tour of the island's 84 species of Orchids
Reef Fishing - Aneityum has excellent reefs lurking outside the Marine Park
Game Fishing - the open waters around Aneityum attracts many species of pelagic fish including Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel, Mahi Mahi (Mai Mai), Yellow Fin Tuna and Marlin.
Guided Tour of ancient Petroglyphs (rock carvings)
Witness pumice stone rising to the surface from an active underwater volcano (occurs intermittently)
Visit Blow Holes along the rocky coastline