Rockwater Resort

We just recently had 5 nights in a rock suite at this amazing resort on Tanna Island. The accommodation is quite unique in that the owners John and Silvana let the natural landscape of the block determine what the resort would look like. Staying in a suite embedded into the rock is just a brilliant concept. It was so comfortable and the views were amazing. The attention to the landscaping of the paths is brilliant as each path takes you down a passageway that apart from amazing vistas that adjoins the foreshore, the tracks take you into the tropical garden with so many yummy things growing that their kitchen team uses each meal. The attention to detail on all amenities is so very obvious. The resort pool is super also. The restaurant staff are incredibly efficient and friendly, it’s like after one meal you are talking to a ‘mate’ and not a resort employee. It must be a great place to work as a lot of the employees have been with John and Silvana for many years. Tanna Island is remote and in many ways undeveloped to our ‘western ways’ and this means that not all food and alcohol items are available each day…..it is what it is….but you will be well watered and fed. We found the choice of food and alcohol to be excellent. The food that comes out of the kitchen is excellent in that whatever is fresh and available the team does an amazing job and you’re counting off until the next ‘feeding time’. The resort is well placed only about 15 minutes from the airport and all of the Island’s activities can be arranged from the resort. The transport and tours are conducted by local people and are all fascinating in their own way. Of course most people go to Tanna to see the active volcano at night but there is also a super snorkeling trip to the Blue Cave and you can do a tour to a traditional village and to a very beautiful and old banyan tree. Going to the volcano fulfilled a long held dream for us and it didn’t disappoint. It was spectacular and the local guides paid a lot of attention to safety. You are picked up at the resort and dropped off at the resort after your outing. The roads are rough but the island is so lush and beautiful and the drives are fascinating in themselves. One important thing is that you should read Rockwater’s website before you go. John and Silvana have put a lot of effort into providing the best possible information and their FAQs are very comprehensive, some of the best we’ve seen on a website. They are also great to talk to before you go so you can chat to them on the phone. We knew exactly what we needed to wear and take to the volcano and lots about the island. Tanna is more difficult to get to than just flying into Port Vila, but with the amazing attractions here and to have somewhere amazing to stay with these great hosts and staff, it makes the decision to come to Tanna Island a very easy one. Gotta go back!

A delightful stay. Hosts John & Silvana are very caring people, who's first thoughts are for the welfare and enjoyment of their guests. Their welcome on arrival is second to none! The accommodation is unique with a heavy emphasis on the resort fitting into the environment. The staff are lovely and are always with a smile. The view over the ocean is sublime, supported by superb architecture and garden landscaping that reminded us of our time in Santorini. The food is nothing short of amazing! As for the unmissable tour, you have to do the volcano, it's a bucket list trip. You only have yourself to blame if you don't enjoy yourself at Rockwater Resort Ian & Janine

What an utterly unique and stunning establishment. Photos don’t do it justice. When we swam out a bit and looked back at the resort and we instantly appreciated that the buildings are carved into the limestone and coral and are a feature of the slope not the other way round. John and Silvana are amazing hosts. If you are only slightly interested in engineering, please go for a walk around the resort, it would have made a fascinating documentary I think. I am somewhat of a disaster zone and Silvana was always kind and non judgemental about my daily wounds. They are a good double act. Food wise. Every morning fruit is picked from the grounds, pawpaw, manifold, lime, dragonfruit and pineapple - all delicious. Toast with condiments and a hot breakfast available, the sausage is banging. Also baked beans. Lunch and dinner is changed daily depending on what’s good at the market. The reef on the property is spectacular. Just keep an eye on those tidal times. Rooms are beautiful. Others have posted better photos than mine. We loved this place and will definitely be back. Thank you John and Silvana. You are missed.

We had an amazing stay at Rockwater Resort in December 2023. The rooms & facilities are truly something special and extraordinary, in perfect harmony with the nature the resort is settled in. Most amazing bathroom we’ve ever had in a hotel (check out the pictures on their website), super comfortable beds, and delicious food. But above all, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful - especially Lina and Mary, thank you so much! The owners John and Silvana have built a paradise here and are perfect hosts - John even took us snorkeling in the most wonderful house reef and they are happy to organize tours to the various sites on Tanna island. In short, if you plan to go to Tanna - this should be your place! And if you are not sure yet, Rockwater is reason enough to go. Beware of Air Vanuatu and book early - we had lot‘s of issues booking island trips from Efate / Port Villa due to cancelled flights etc. Other guests / tourists had the same issues, which also explained why we were the only guests at the resort for most of our stay.

We had a fantastic time at Rockwater Resort in January. The resort is very conveniently located, about 15-20 min from the airport. The reef is very beautiful and accessible from the hotel. The snorkeling experience was magic as the area is protected. Our hosts, Silvana and John were very friendly and helped over and above with flights rebooking. The food was good. The gardens are stunning, with an amazing view on the ocean. It is a great base location to travel to the various landmarks of the island easily. The bedrooms are very unique in their design, which we really enjoyed.

Jo Salisbury Jo Salisbury -Edit5/5 a day ago on Google Vacation | Couple We recently enjoyed 7 nights at Rockwater in late November and we will say it was most awsome resort we have ever been to by far we cant believe the attention to detail from John, Silvana and the staff absolutely nothing was to much trouble ,we just asked where was the best place to snorkel and John instantly showed us the best way to get into the water which was a awsome adventure in itself then took us out to some of his favorite places there was plenty of fish and coral around we are seasoned snorkelers and we were not disappointed,even just walking around the resort is amazing that all this could be achieved,it is absolutely stunning we did enjoy every meal especially having breakfast and watching the dolphins swim past and we also enjoyed having dinner with John and Silvana on a few occasions, we would absolutely recommend this resort to anyone even the road from the airport is a adventure with the bumpy road so thanks again Rockwater we will certainly be back and hopefully soon cheers Wayne and Jo Rooms: All rooms in this resort have to be seen to be believed Nearby activities: The snorkeling is great and there is a volcano tour which my wife went on and said it was great Walkability: It is a privilege to walk around the grounds Food & drinks: we enjoyed every single meal and very reasonably priced

We got stuck on Tanna due to the tropical low. I hastily booked another hotel near the airport in Tanna without reading the reviews. It was horrible, the worst thing was that my husband dislocated his finger there and they didn't help at all. Then John rescued us and whisked us away to Rockwater Resort. If i could give Rockwater 10 out of 5 I would! The first thing they did was help with my hubby's finger and made us feel so welcome. They rang Air Vanuatu for us to confirm our new flights, they welcomed us and made us a cup of coffee. They have brand new snorkelling equipment free of charge and a fairly easy access point for the amazing snorkelling right out the front. The other resort wanted to charge us 10,000 vatu for the blue cave, it's only 7,500 vatu here as they don't take commission. The rooms are incredible, the food is incredible and the same price as the other resorts. I like the fact there is only 4 things on the menu that changes every day, it really reflects their commitment to sustainability and not wasting food/using food that is available that day from the markets. It is expensive but it's totally worth every cent and it's such better value compared to the other places especially when you consider the savings in the tour costs. I only regret we didn't come here from the start. The staff are amazing and love working there. We don't ever stay in fancy places like this but I would totally come back in a heart beat.

Staying at this resort was a real treat - and one that we are so glad that we did. We were initially staying at one of the other resorts closer to the airport and weren't happy with a number of things so made the decision to move to Rockwater Resort. We really wish we had stayed here from the beginning. The accommodation price was notably higher than the other resort, but worth every cent and more. I'm struggling to know where to start as to why. The views, the hosts, the staff, the food, the reef on your doorstep. They would be the key things - plus the value for money for the extras like trips and meals which were much cheaper than the other resort and the meals were SO much better. The work that the owners have done in restoring the reef is commendable. Don't pay for a snorkelling trip, just take in the beauty of the reef that is literally on your doorstep. If you want to see Clownfish ('Nemos'), then there are villages of them in the reef at this resort. The variety of fish and corals were something to behold and I would return to Tanna here to simply stay at Rockwater Resort, spend time in the water, soak up the views and enjoy the fine dining.

Rockwater resort was stunning!! From the arrival welcome to the departure and everything in between. The rooms were clean and very comfortable, the food was great, the owners and staff were friendly and very hospitable! The gardens and architecture were original, beautiful and very creative. Talk about beautiful!! I highly recommend this gorgeous resort.