Lelepa Island (Vanuatu, Royal Caribbean)

Lelepa Island is one of the Vanuatu Islands (South Pacific Ocean) and located in close proximity to Efate Island. The small isle has length 5 km (3 mi / north-south), total land area of just 1,6 km2 ( / 0,6 mi2 / 160 hectares / 395 acres) and highest elevation point 202 m (663 ft). The island's population is under 500.

Lelepa 's larger settlement (Natapao) is on the southern coast. The other settlement (Lelo) is on the northern coast. Until 2020, the island's facilities included only school, kindergarten, and two Protestant churches (Presbyterian, Seventh-day Adventists).

The three islands (lLelepa, Efate, Moso) form the so-called Havannah Harbour. Lelepa's main tourist attraction is the Fels Cave (located on the southwestern side). The cave is popular for its ancient wall drawings (the oldest are ~2000-years-old) of birds, fish, anthropomorphic deities (including Roi Mata /13th-century chief).

The island features unspoiled rain forest and palm-fringed, white-sand beaches. It is also a well-known snorkeling destination. Lelepa is easily accessed from Port Vila (Efate Island), with total travel time ~1 hour (30 min driving plus 10-min boating). Besides snorkeling, day tours to Lelepa also include beach BBQs.

Perfect Day at Lelepa (Royal Caribbean)

In mid-October 2019, Vanuatu's Prime Minister (Charlot Salwai) and RCI-Royal Caribbean International (Michael Bayley, RCI's President, and CEO) announced plans for developing a private island resort named "Perfect Day at Lelepa". The Royal Caribbean's Vanuatu island resort property was designed as the world's first carbon-neutral private cruise port destination. As the project's principal designer was contracted Cox Architecture (Australia). RCI's Vanuatu island resort was originally scheduled for completion in 2021. However, due to the COVID crisis, the project was delayed and the resort's inauguration is currently planned for either 2023 or 2024.

"Perfect Day at Lelepa" is an exclusive destination to be visited only by RCG-Royal Caribbean Group-owned ships (including from the RCG brands Celebrity and Silversea). Lelepa is one of RCI's "Perfect Day Island Collection" - the third of the company's privately developed land destinations in the regions of the Caribbean (CocoCay Bahamas), Asia, and Australia. RCG's "Island Collection" project's total budget is USD 200 million.

Like the other Royal Caribbean private islands, Lelepa will be developed to offer pristine beaches, swimming pools, lagoon-type bays, cabanas and over-water bungalows (for rent), a great variety of food and beverages, shopping options, live DJ performances, indigenous entertainment, unique tours and excursions.

Lelepa Island cruise terminal