Aquana Beach Resort in Vanuatu

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Updated: January 6, 2021

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Review of Aquana Beach Resort in Vanuatu

Aquana Beach Resort – Adorable, tropical, and oh-so family-friendly.

The one and two-bedroom bungalows are roomy, with large TVs, Melanesian crafts on the walls, extended patios under thatched roofs, and air-con in the living rooms (but not the bedrooms, which have overhead fans). They are all similar inside, with only the views differing: either facing the sea (with views mostly blocked by trees) or overlooking the back of these bungalows. And there is such a tropical feel with abundant sloping palms, a cute bay of white sand and calm water, mangrove islands just offshore to explore, and hammocks everywhere. The pool is undersized however, and always jam-packed with delighted children. Add in extras like boat trips to the resort’s uninhabited island, themed nights with traditional music shows, and free use of snorkeling gear and kayaks, and this is one of Vanuatu’s best resorts. And a daily shuttle bus to Port Vila helps counteract the isolation.

Aquana Beach Resort – The Basics

  • Location: Along Eratap Peninsula on the main island of Efate. At the end of a rough road about 25 minutes from Port Vila and another 10 minutes from the airport. An approximately 15-minute walk to Eratap village.
  • Guests: Overwhelmingly caters to families, so adults without children may be affected by the noise.
  • Beach: 2 slivers of white sands face the calm water, part of a lagoon that’s incredibly shallow.
  • Views: There are 2 rows of bungalows. Some face the sea, with views mostly blocked by trees, and the second row faces the back of the first row.
  • Wi-Fi: Available free to all guests throughout the resort
  • Parking: Plenty of free and secure parking at the lobby area.
  • Nice Perks: 1 free daily shuttle bus service in to Port Vila provides a change of scene and the chance to stock up on supplies.
  • How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
  • Phone: (678) 35532
  • Email: info@aquana.com.au
  • Website: aquana.com.au

Aquana Beach Resort – Amenities

  • Pool: Too small for everyone, but very popular with children. Lounge chairs alongside for those who can’t get in.
  • Spa: The adorable Ocean Day Spa offers massages and facials in a unique setting, perched at the end of the jetty.
  • Fitness Center: Not expected or provided at this family-style resort.
  • Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not expected or provided.
  • Activities: Free rental of kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. Also, volleyball, cultural tours of the local village, boat trips, and a DVD library.

Aquana Beach Resort – Food and Drink

  • Restaurant: The Waterfront Restaurant & Bar is attractively perched above the lagoon and faces alluring islets. Focuses on the freshest possible ingredients, including local lobsters, and offers a menu for the younger ones.
  • Lounge/Bar: The bar at the restaurant facing the sea is more scenic and tranquil than the one near the pool, which provides decent happy hours and a congenial setting with traditional crafts.
  • Breakfast: A full continental buffet breakfast is included.
  • Room Service: Available from 7 am to 9 pm.

Aquana Beach Resort – Rooms

  • Room Types: Beachfront Bungalow (1 or 2 bedrooms) • Deluxe Bungalow (1 or 2 bedrooms) • Garden Bungalows (2 bedrooms)
  • Smoking Rooms: No smoking allowed in any rooms, but anywhere outside is fine.
  • Best Room: The Beachfront Bungalows offer superior ocean views, although these are usually obstructed by trees. With 1 or 2 bedrooms, they are spacious and modern, but also with a subtle traditional décor, and feature extended patios.
  • For families: 1-bedroom bungalows fit in 2 extra singles; those with 2 bedrooms can sleep up to 6. And management will bend over backwards to accommodate any sized families.

Aquana Beach Resort – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

    There is nothing anywhere nearby, so take the resort shuttle bus into Port Vila for lunch at these places – all along the main street:

  • Jill’s Cafe – Popular casual café. Specializes in Tex-Mex food, as well as wraps, salads, and coffee. Great Wi-Fi.
  • The Rossi Restaurant – Stylish Italian-style bistro, with a garden setting, sea views, and a tiny playground.
  • Nambawan Café – Pleasingly cheap considering the perfect waterfront position. Juices, baguettes, pizzas, and moonlight movies.

Nearby Market or Grocery

    Only basic supplies are available at the lobby, so come prepared or stock up on visits to Port Vila.

Local Transport

    There is no public transport anywhere near the resort, but 1 free daily shuttle bus service is provided to/from Port Vila.

Aquana Beach Resort – The Hotel

Resort is extremely welcoming and family-friendly.

The resort is very welcoming, with a firm focus on families, but quite isolated – about 25 minutes from Port Vila.

The colourful poolside bar is very popular.

The poolside bar is a colorful and convivial place to meet other guests.

The lobby has plush furniture and delightful traditional decor.

The poolside bar extends to the lobby area, with plush sofas and traditional crafts.

Waterside Restaurant offers breakfast and other meals.

The Waterside Restaurant serves breakfast for guests, and a wide range of other meals throughout the day and evening.

The Waterside Restaurant's bar is very quiet.

The second bar, part of the Waterside Restaurant, is quieter than the one alongside the pool.

Waterside Restaurant offers fantastic views of the lagoon.

The Waterside Restaurant is aptly named, with terrific views of islets across the lagoon.

Ocean Day Spa has a fantastic location.

The delightful Ocean Day Spa is perched at the end of the jetty.

The resort offers plenty of free water activities.

A special hut provides a range of water activities, many for free.

Kayaking and snorkelling gear is free to rent at the resort.

Gear for kayaking and snorkeling is provided at no cost.

Kayaking to explore the lagoon and uninhabited islets is very popular.

Kayaks are available for exploration of the extensive lagoon and uninhabited islets nearby.

The resort features a large coastline with plenty of narrow sandy strips.

Not all the coastline at the resort is a beach, but there is still plenty of sand.

Boat trips to uninhabited islands are popular.

Boat trips can be organized to explore local islands – all are uninhabited, and one is owned by the resort.

Shallow and clear waters are ideal for snorkelling.

The water all around is shallow, calm, and clear – perfect for snorkeling.

The smallish pool has a wooden deck around it.

The pool is smallish and surrounded by wooden decking.

Children keep the pool busy and noisy.

The pool is always busy with children, and, therefore, quite noisy.

Resort offers free nanny service for families with young kids.

One attraction for families is the free nanny service, with local ladies entertaining the children.

Bungalow patios are spacious and feature furniture and a hammock.

The patio in front of each bungalow is spacious, with plenty of room for wicker furniture and a hammock.

Bungalow lounges feature traditional decor.

The extended lounge area in each bungalow is lined with traditional arts and crafts.

Bungalows feature plush but garish sofas.

The sofas are plush and comfortable.

Small windows make the bungalow bedrooms dark.

All bedrooms in the row of bungalows facing the sea have small windows, so they are dark inside.

Bungalow bathrooms are very spacious.

The bathrooms are all spacious.

The bungalows are located across tropical gardens.

The bungalows are dotted among tropical gardens.

Jill’s Café is famous for its Mexican food and free Wi-Fi.

Jill’s Café in the town center is popular for Mexican food and Wi-Fi.

Shakes, pies and burgers are good at Nambawan Café.

Nambawan Café is great for shakes, pies, and burgers.

Rossi Restaurant in the capital offers good sea views.

The Rossi Restaurant is at the end of the seaside path in the capital.

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