Erromango
Erromango is the largest island in Tafea, the southernmost province of Vanuatu. Its highest point is Mount Santop, at 886 m. Its largest villages are Port Narvin and Dillons Bay (Upongkor). The total area of Erromango is 888 square km. Erromango is largely unpopulated and undeveloped.
It was formerly known as Martyr's Island by the Presbyterian missionaries in the 19th century, because of the alleged risk of missionary activity there.
Formerly it was known as a source of sandalwood in the 19th century, and much of it was depleted. It is also home to the kauri and tamanu trees. There has been extensive logging, but most of the area is recovering, and efforts are underway to try to make the industry sustainable. With European Union support, there is a protected Happy Lands Kauri Reserve.
Erromango was one of the more important sources of workers for the blackbirding crews. At one time the population of Erromango exceeded 10,000, today it is approximately 1500.
Historically there have been four languages of Erromango, Sie, Sorung, Ura, and Utaha (Ifo), but Sorung and Utaha are now extinct, and there are very few speakers of Ura. They constitute the Erromanga languages branch of South Vanuatu languages.
Erromango is close to Efate and airfares are relatively cheap. It's a good place for trekking and bush walking, with some challenging walks through wonderful scenery. Explore nearby Suvu Beach, a white-sand beach with hand drawings in the caves. The Kauri forests are the best known attraction so with plenty of forest - birdwatching is good. A visit to "Erro" will take at least five days. Erromango is not the easiest island to visit but it is quite possibly the most unspoilt.
Commercial accommodation on Erromango is limited with only one bungalow and one guesthouse at Upongkor village (Dillon's Bay). Elsewhere, accommodation can be arranged in the villages or camping is not impossible.
There are two airstrips on Erromango, one in the Northwest (Dillon's Bay) and another in the Southeast (Ipota). Air Vanuatu flies to Erromango twice a week; on Tuesdays (Dillon's Bay only) and Saturdays (Dillon's Bay and Ipota).
There's only one road on Erromango, from Upongkor to the Dillon's Bay Airstrip, so most transport around Erromango is by speedboat or walking. A speedboat charter from Dillon's Bay to Pongkil Bay is about 5000 Vatu and to South River about 10,000 Vatu.
It was formerly known as Martyr's Island by the Presbyterian missionaries in the 19th century, because of the alleged risk of missionary activity there.
Formerly it was known as a source of sandalwood in the 19th century, and much of it was depleted. It is also home to the kauri and tamanu trees. There has been extensive logging, but most of the area is recovering, and efforts are underway to try to make the industry sustainable. With European Union support, there is a protected Happy Lands Kauri Reserve.
Erromango was one of the more important sources of workers for the blackbirding crews. At one time the population of Erromango exceeded 10,000, today it is approximately 1500.
Historically there have been four languages of Erromango, Sie, Sorung, Ura, and Utaha (Ifo), but Sorung and Utaha are now extinct, and there are very few speakers of Ura. They constitute the Erromanga languages branch of South Vanuatu languages.
Erromango is close to Efate and airfares are relatively cheap. It's a good place for trekking and bush walking, with some challenging walks through wonderful scenery. Explore nearby Suvu Beach, a white-sand beach with hand drawings in the caves. The Kauri forests are the best known attraction so with plenty of forest - birdwatching is good. A visit to "Erro" will take at least five days. Erromango is not the easiest island to visit but it is quite possibly the most unspoilt.
Commercial accommodation on Erromango is limited with only one bungalow and one guesthouse at Upongkor village (Dillon's Bay). Elsewhere, accommodation can be arranged in the villages or camping is not impossible.
There are two airstrips on Erromango, one in the Northwest (Dillon's Bay) and another in the Southeast (Ipota). Air Vanuatu flies to Erromango twice a week; on Tuesdays (Dillon's Bay only) and Saturdays (Dillon's Bay and Ipota).
There's only one road on Erromango, from Upongkor to the Dillon's Bay Airstrip, so most transport around Erromango is by speedboat or walking. A speedboat charter from Dillon's Bay to Pongkil Bay is about 5000 Vatu and to South River about 10,000 Vatu.
Thank you to Luc for providing this promotional video on You Tube
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Owners | Chief William & Martha Mete |
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| Address | Unpongkor Postal Agency (Dillons Bay) Erromango. | ||
| Phone | (678) 68792 (678) 68993 - Public Phone | ||
Total Beds |
Metesons offers 2 rooms accommodating up to 6 single beds. | ||
Restaurant |
At this time, all meals are set menus, however there are plans to provide menu options in the future. | ||
Facilities |
- There is a separate eating house and shared toilet and shower facilities. - Solar power provides lighting in both sleeping rooms. - Generator powered electricity provides refrigeration. - There are two general stores in the village of Unpongkor. | ||
Dillon's Bay (Unpongkor) offers a wide array of activities: Swimming / Canoeing / Snorkelling Dillons Bay offers safe swimming havens in both the river and beach areas. There are traditional outrigger canoes available for hire with guided tours of the area also offered. Snorkelling gear is available for use either in the river, or along the coast where there are coral reefs and many fish species.Bushwalking Erromango is known for its mountainous terrain, so for the adventurous, there age guided tours to historical sites dating to the 1820s which are marked by Monuments and Kauri Forest walks to view 1,000 year old Kauri trees. All hiking trips offer many photographic opportunities with many species of Orchids (both ground and tree), Wild Horses grazing, Butterflies and Flying Foxes.The Kauri Hike - up to three guides provide two options to view these magnificent trees.
Coastal Bush Walk - from Dillons Bay to Suvu Beach where there are reef views and opportunites to explore them along the way. Snorkelling off Suvu Beach has to be experienced at least once in your lifetime - there are many species of fish for viewing and photographing. Again, Lunch is provided. Cave of Skulls - travel by motorised boat, then outrigger canoe to commence an 'adventure' walk to the entrances of two caves. These caves contain the remains of Chief Mete's ancestors and date back to pre-intervention of the white man (1700s). National Kauri Reserve - Located at the south end of Erromange at Ponyelongi (Happiland), this area is a National Government initiative to provide a heritage area to preserve ancient Kauri trees. Group tours are conducted to view this amazing area.. Hunting Bow Hunters have a unique opportunity to undertake guided tours to hunt wild pigs, which are considered vermin on the island. The mountainous terrain and reclusive prey provides a challenge to even the most experienced hunter! There is also an offer to use traditional bows made from Namaru wood (Acacia-spirobis).Souki (Elizabeth) Bay Chief Mete can arrange a 2 day/1 night excursion to Souki Bay, where there is a Hunting Lodge consisting of 6 rooms. You will be taken on a 1 hr motorboat ride. The Lodge offers night fishing and Lobster hunting and you can also visit 'young' kauri trees. Your stop for lunch will see you eating lobster caught the previous night. A bushwalk or truck ride then takes you to view mysterious volcanic red soil sites. On your return trip to Dillons Bay you can enjoy another boat ride trolling for Tuna, Wahoo and Barracuda.Yachts Dillons Bay has a long association with the yachting community, who visit before sailing on to Efate or Tanna. Located at 169° 91' 016"E 18° 49' 074" S, the people of Dillons Bay offer an 'Island Night Celebration' with traditional dancing, local string band entertainment and a bunya feast (meals cooked in leaf under hot stones). These can be arranged by contacting Chief William of any member of the Mete family. (minimum 3 days notice required).Handicrafts There are plans for sandalwood carvings including birds, fish and Clubs (Nul Nuls) as well as necklaces of nuts and shells to be made available. The size of the island and the scattered population will offer many diverse styles from different areas of the island.Supplies You should consider taking the following items on your trip to Erromango: |
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