Vanuatu: Hideaway Island, Blue Lagoon & Eden on the River Day Trip

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Snorkeling bright reefs blue lagoon swims eden river cascades lunch

You’ll swim in Vanuatu’s electric blue lagoon, snorkel among coral gardens at Hideaway Island (yes, you can send an underwater postcard), and relax by Eden on the River’s gentle cascades with lunch included. With pickup from your hotel or port and a local guide who knows every shortcut, it feels less like a tour — more like tagging along with friends who grew up here.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or cruise port in Port Vila, entry fees for Eton Blue Lagoon, Hideaway Island (with snorkeling gear), and Eden on the River; plus lunch by the riverbank before heading back in comfort with your local driver-guide looking after all logistics along the way.

Traveler reviews

4.59★★★★★★★★★★

74 verified traveler reviews

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fromUS$ 92 See dates & prices ›

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Vanuatu's natural attractions

Snorkel at Hideaway Island
Send postcard from underwater post office
Swim in Eaton Blue Lagoon
Visit Eden on the River waterfall
Swim at Eden on the River
Shop duty free at Fung Kuei
Return to wharf markets

★★★★★★★★★★

4.59

(74 reviews)

The Experience

We were already dripping from the lagoon when our guide, Joseph, waved us back to the van — still laughing about how I’d managed to lose a flip-flop in that fluorescent blue water. Eton Blue Lagoon really is that color. Kids from the village were leaping off ropes nearby and one of them showed me how to get the mud off my feet with a handful of leaves. It’s funny, I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly in Vanuatu. The air here smells like salt and something sweet — maybe mangoes? Hard to tell but it sticks with you.

Next was Hideaway Island. You hear “crystal clear” all the time but honestly, I could see tiny fish darting around my toes before I even put my mask on. Joseph told us about the underwater post office — he grinned when he handed me a waterproof postcard. I probably wrote too much (my handwriting looked even worse underwater) but it’s not every day you can send mail from beneath the surface. The coral felt rough under my fingers and there was this weird hush when you ducked below, just your own breath and distant splashes.

Eden on the River was greener than anywhere else we’d seen near Port Vila. There’s a waterfall that isn’t huge but has this gentle sound — not roaring, more like someone pouring water from a jug over stones. We ate lunch by the riverbank (chicken curry, if you’re curious), and I remember watching sunlight flicker through palm leaves while Joseph told us about his family’s garden up in the hills. I’m not sure why that stuck with me more than any postcard or photo.

On the way back we stopped at Fung Kuei for duty-free shopping — mostly cruise ship folks were excited for that bit. By then I was tired in a good way, skin salty and hair tangled from swimming all day. If you’re wondering about logistics: yes, they picked us up right at our hotel and had everything sorted (even an extra towel for me after my flip-flop incident). Sometimes tours feel rushed or awkward but this one just… flowed.