Erakor Island: Exploring Vanuatu by kayak

This article may contain affiliate links

Erakor Island in Vanuatu is one of Port Vila’s best resort islands

Usually on a Friday morning, I would be at my desk at 80 Strand looking over my calendar and thanking God I have only three meetings instead of six. And then there’s email – the neverending battle with wave after wave of email. 

But yesterday was no ordinary Friday morning. Instead of sitting at an office desk, I was lounging in a kayak in the Pacific Ocean heading over to explore the tiny island of Erakor Island barefoot.

Erakor Island is about 500 to 600m off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu’s main island and home to its capital, Port Vila.

Currently home to a smattering of lodgings, some private residences and a resort, Erakor Island is the epitome of a tropical island paradise: crystal clear waters, sandy beaches and precious, golden silence. Here’s a look at what we got up to.

Erakor Island is located in Vanuatu, an archipelago in the South Pacific. Vanuatu is home to an array of idyllic islands, fearsome volcanoes and underwater wrecks as well as stunning beaches and authentic villages.

It is the first stop on our round-the-word trip, an ambitious journey eastward across the Pacific taking in the seldom visited islands of Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and French Polynesia.

Erakor Island is one of Port Vila’s fantastic resort islands. Day trippers can visit by the using the 24-hour ferry that leaves from the end of the road past Nasama Resort.

On the island it’s possible to swim and snorkel at the shallow white-sand beach. we chose to kayak across the small bay and then around the island. On the island it’s acceptable for day trippers to use the resort’s Aqua Restaurant.


Lonely Planet South Pacific includes a comprehensive guide to the country, including Erakor Island. It’s ideal for those who want to both explore the top sights and take the road less travelled.

Atlas & BOots

You might also like: