November 30, 2025
Mystery Island is our first Port that was actually an uninhabited island. No one lives here, all that is really there is a landing strip ( from WW2) and a few shack type buildings. The land is owned by people who live on nearby islands, but they believe this island is haunted at night! During the day, if a cruise ship is in port, they will come over and offer massages, umbrella & chair rentals, lobster & coconuts and local crafts.
No one sure where name Mystery Island came from - one theory is Japanese couldn't see air strip from sea and thus couldn't tell where planes were coming and going too in WW2. Queen Elizabeth visited Mystery Island back when cruising by on her beloved Yacht. We loved our relaxing day there ! Easy tender ride from our ship - we could go back and forth for lunch. Beautiful beach and water. Just had a lazy relaxing chill day catching up with friends.
Vanuatu is also know for being a land with cannibalism. Below is a left over cooking pot also on Mystery Island, haunting!!
Since Janette Emerich is generous enough to share her drone photos with all of us on board the Ship, I have to share them with you all. This beauty is why I said we felt like we were in a screen saver the whole day in Rangiroa! I love the height perspective in the photos it really captures so much more. Blue Lagoon below:
The water in Rangiroa is so spectacular, I wanted to spend more time drift snorkeling and checking out the area called " The Aquarium ". So today I went back out for a 3 hour session to do 3 drift passes in Tiputa pass and then spent an hour in an area with wonderful healthy corals and tons of fish, earning it the nickname " The Aquarium ".
Today felt like we were inside a Computer Screen Saver! You know how everybody has one of those amazing beach shots on their home screens ? I am guessing we were in the place where most of them are filmed! Rangiroa is the 2nd largest atoll in the world, and its lagoon feels like its own ocean, it's huge! It is famous worldwide for "drift" diving and snorkeling, due to its fast moving current, crystal clear water and excellent visibility. We joined a group of 44 Residents in an all day adventure.