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Underwater Post Office

Never thought about visiting the island nation of Vanuatu? Then here's a good reason for you to consider: they have the first (and only?) underwater post office in the world! We bet you never thought it was possible to post mail underwater, have you?

The Vanuatu Post came up with this idea to increase awareness of the richness and diversity of Vanuatu's underwater world. And if you never had the chance of finding nemo in real life, then that's yet another reason to think about Vanuatu for holidays, where you can do snorkeling and see the great aquatic life there is there.

vanuatu underwater post office

But, don't think it's easy to get there! This special post office is 50 meters offshore and is 3 meters deep underwater - you'll need to scuba dive to actually get there. And make sure to check their schedule, as their are "open" only one hour per day! :)

Since its start in 2003, they have received over 100.000 visitors so it surely seems to be working well. Waterproof postcards are available and they use a special embossed cancellation stamp that can be used underwater. Postcards can be sent anywhere in the world, so it's perfect!



Posted by on 8 Aug, 2010
Tags: ,




43 comments so far

abbyaguas, Philippines
Well, that's so cool. I hope I can get a postcard from that island, dropped in the Underwater Post Office. XD
Posted by abbyaguas on 8 Aug, 2010


Willemijn, Netherlands
Does it have a P.O.BOX ? :-)
Posted by Willemijn on 8 Aug, 2010


Venia, Germany
wow! nice idea!
Posted by Venia on 8 Aug, 2010


Dubbis, Finland
Pretty amazing! Sounds wonderful and funny at the same time. xD
Posted by Dubbis on 8 Aug, 2010


scrutiny, Hong Kong
Does is receive incoming mail? How cool would it be to receive a cars like that... Perfect for those who live in a tropical climate whose postcards are routinely ruined by rain!
Posted by scrutiny on 8 Aug, 2010


Aparna_s24, India
I happened to check more about this country online and I saw that they also have volcano post - post box near the fiery rim of Mt.Yasur's crate! Awesome!
Posted by Aparna_s24 on 8 Aug, 2010


lucymonty, United Kingdom
How cool!!! Would be amazing to receive a waterproof card from there :-D
Posted by lucymonty on 8 Aug, 2010


mor_lefay, Greece
Really cool!!! Now I want to go there and send waterproof postcards to all my friends!! It is really nice idea!!
Posted by mor_lefay on 8 Aug, 2010


JulieMary, Venezuela
:O Amazing!
Posted by JulieMary on 8 Aug, 2010


emeraldmist, United States of America
OHHH!!!! Vanuatu is now at the top on my dream destinations list! How cool would that be to go there and mail postcards underwater! Genius!
Posted by emeraldmist on 8 Aug, 2010


mattyboy3y, Italy
Oh! Why don't You start a project in Vanuatu like You did with Tuvalu's Schools?
Posted by mattyboy3y on 8 Aug, 2010


anagahan, Macedonia
this is soo thrilling!!! lucky people who have received a postcard cancelled here! :)
Posted by anagahan on 8 Aug, 2010


Den-A-Noc, Czech Republic
And no one said who just found it? I've seen it before, and added to his profile earlier this ad! In addition, I conducted a debate with Paulo!

И никто не сказал кто это нашел? Я это раньше видел и добавил себе на профиль раньше этого объявления! К тому же у меня ведутся дебаты с Пауло!
Posted by Den-A-Noc on 8 Aug, 2010


paix, Australia
This is so cool. Thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by paix on 9 Aug, 2010


monadaniela, New Zealand
Oh, I remember visiting Vanuatu...it is a great place...I would like to go there again someday. That underwater post box is so cool
Posted by monadaniela on 9 Aug, 2010


wwwera, Israel
Hm, Paulo, I think it is worth to brew with this office another project like Tuvalu project. Sure lots of people want to get a waterproof card with a waterproof stamp from far Vanuatu!
Can I help anyhow, perhaps?
Posted by wwwera on 9 Aug, 2010


eliseliselise3, Australia
What a fantastic blog post topic!!! I am fortunate enough to actually be venturing to Vanuatu later on in the year with my darling family, we're even staying within close proximity to this wondrous submerged nautical postoffice!! :D I'm so excited!!
Posted by eliseliselise3 on 9 Aug, 2010


Mama_Bear, United States of America
I want to go too! How wonderful that would is for postcard addicts like us!
Posted by Mama_Bear on 9 Aug, 2010


chankljp, United Kingdom
I will love to receive a postcard from that post office!
Posted by chankljp on 9 Aug, 2010


magabygc, Venezuela
Really cool!!
Posted by magabygc on 9 Aug, 2010


dollart, Finland
Now i wish i could do scuba diving...
Posted by dollart on 9 Aug, 2010


peridotlake1, United States of America
Interesting idea. I wonder who thought of making it.
Posted by peridotlake1 on 9 Aug, 2010


heyjude, United States of America
OoooooooH how great! I taught ni-Vanuatu students on another S. Pacific Island but never got to their country. Yes! let's do a special project like with Tuvalu!!!
Posted by heyjude on 9 Aug, 2010


Gossamer, United States of America
My new goal in life is to send and receive a postcard from there.
Posted by Gossamer on 9 Aug, 2010


indianfriendszone, India
WONDERS OF POST OFFICE :)
i wish i can get such waterproof postcard and stamps ...
it would be gr8 to visit such place too.
Posted by indianfriendszone on 10 Aug, 2010


Dodd, Taiwan
It's cool. In my country, Taiwan, we only have under water mail box. Although you can post a letter under water, but you cann't buy stamps there. :p
Posted by Dodd on 10 Aug, 2010


JessicaKeating, United Kingdom
That is mad!
Posted by JessicaKeating on 10 Aug, 2010


9teen87, United States of America
Great tourist idea! makes me want to learn to scuba dive :)
Posted by 9teen87 on 10 Aug, 2010


Cheryll, Suriname
I wonder if the Tuvalu project cards went well,Who received an earth day card from Tuvalu ??
Never received one...........
Posted by Cheryll on 10 Aug, 2010


Vandom, Germany
This sounds so cool, really...if I ever go there, I am going to see that post office, for sure...I mean, I am a certified scuba diver...so that should be possible, hehe...that is really fun...that should be amazing cards from there, really...something special!
Posted by Vandom on 10 Aug, 2010


CoConutPalm, Iran
There must have been special cards too!
Posted by CoConutPalm on 11 Aug, 2010


CaresseSurLocean, United States of America
Ha, I would love to receive a postcard from the underwater post office! :-) What an unsual place it must be, it sounds fantastic. Now I know there are people as crazy as me!
Posted by CaresseSurLocean on 11 Aug, 2010


FairyFoot, United Kingdom
Sadly, there has been earthquakes today and earlier this week near Port Vila, Vanuatu. One had a magnitude of 7.3 with over a dozen aftershocks (looking at an earthquake page, several states in the US have had mild tremors.... and Greece had a 4.4)
Posted by FairyFoot on 12 Aug, 2010


sybones, Singapore
The underwater post office is an amazing idea! Sorry to hear about the quakes though :(
Posted by sybones on 12 Aug, 2010


nisnoopy3, Malaysia
I would love to get a postmarked from this underwater post office in Vanuatu. :) Yea, sorry about the earthquakes too. >.< I've heard of this underwater post office years ago in newspaper. Glad to know it is brought up again in Postcrossing. :) Thanks for sharing this great news with all of us! :D
Posted by nisnoopy3 on 13 Aug, 2010


pcbuyer, United Kingdom
What a great idea and a great place. I hope that any damage due to the quakes is minimal and no-one was hurt.
If anyone wants to get one of the cards from Vanuatu, you can purchase the cards from the link in the above article. There is a small selection to choose from and the Post Office will send the card to, with the stamp mentioned.
Great article.
Posted by pcbuyer on 13 Aug, 2010


HM, Netherlands
official sent from underwaterpostoffice:
http://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/AU-33981
Posted by HM on 15 Aug, 2010


levince, Malaysia
we have one underwater post office in Malaysia too..located in sabah http://www.mataking.com/con-post.php
Posted by levince on 17 Aug, 2010


StojakSiblings, Germany
so funky!!!!!!!
Posted by StojakSiblings on 17 Aug, 2010


Poohmaa, Germany
Wow! That is soo cool! I would love love love to get a waterproof postcard posted at the underwater post office.
Posted by Poohmaa on 27 Aug, 2010


SxnY, Taiwan
WOOOOW~~so cool~
Posted by SxnY on 6 Sep, 2010


icdamoon, United States of America
awesome things happen in this world and this is extra special!
Posted by icdamoon on 10 Sep, 2010


HefelBerry, United States of America
Did anybody notice that is said that there were over 100.000 postcards sent? That means only over 100 postcards were sent ;?
Posted by HefelBerry on 18 Oct, 2010



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