Science works well as a co-curriculum subject (e.g. in conjunction with French or Business Studies) but it can also be the primary reason for a Vanuatu Study Tour. We recommend that this be undertaken with cultural and environmental aspects.

Both Marine Science and Earth Science studies are rich and rewarding. Volcanic activity is an obvious place to start. Earthquakes occur daily, although most are not even felt. Seismologists believe that regular small activity is far healthier than large stubborn plates as those under Japan and San Francisco. On the main island of Efate there's plenty of evidence of volcanic activity like black sand beaches and the extinct volcano on Nguna island to the north (also a Marine Sanctuary here) but an overnight visit to the accessible active volcano, Mt Yasur, on Tanna is highly recommended. Mt Yasur has been erupting many times every hour for the last 800 years and is known as the 'Lighthouse of the Pacific'.

One of the great things about studying Marine Science for students is that it involves swimming and snorkelling! Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary is only 15 minutes from Port Vila and there are some excellent spots in Port Vila Harbour (a couple of dugongs have recently taken up residence). A visit to a turtle sanctuary on Moso island is included in the itinerary (students can name, tag and release a 12 month old turtle). This is where the environment and traditional culture comes into play. Local villages see creatures like dugongs and turtles as 'gudfala kai-kai' (good food) - they have little knowledge of endangered species - a turtle not only feeds a lot of people, the shell is an ideal bath for pikininis and basket for carrying fruit.

After the movie Finding Nemo fishing rights to areas containing rare tropical fish were purchased for very little by unscrupulous entrepreneurs addressing the increased demand in the aquarium market. At present it appears that a licence will be granted to a Chinese company to build a fish processing plant in conjunction with long-line fishing (hundreds or thousands of baited hooks on a single line) for tuna, swordfish etc that inevitably means a by-catch of endangered species like turtles and albatrosses.

Climate/climate change (changing temperatures, sea level, cyclones etc) and inland river eco-systems can also be incorporated into a science-based itinerary.

Email us for more information or for details on an obligation-free Expression of Interest afternoon/evening.

For a comprehensive list of what to see and do, plus some history and quirky personal observations on Vanuatu, visit Vanuatu A to Z.