Trade.Information

Company Name: Underwater Post Office

Company Type: Underwater Post Stamps and Postcards

Company Profile

Vanuatu Post has created the world’s only Underwater Post Office. Situated within a marine sanctuary, off Hideaway Island near Port Vila in Vanuatu, the Post Office can receive mail delivered in person if you are a visiting diver or snorkeller or sent via the Main Post Office to ensure all mail items receive the special cancellation from this unique underwater paradise.

About Company

Vanuatu Post’s Underwater Post Office, submerged at Hideaway Island near Port Vila, has received fame all over the world. Communications have been received from the filmmakers of “Finding Nemo”, television networks from New Zealand, Australia and Japan have visited and it is now a must-see for tourists who visit Port Vila, especially those who arrive on the many cruise ships. They are not disappointed. The Post Office is only 50 metres offshore and at only three metres below the surface is very accessible to young and old alike, and hundreds have participated in posting one of the special waterproof postcards that are available. These cards are collected regularly by one of Vanuatu Post’s four trained scuba divers and “cancelled” underwater with an embossing cachet. Mail that requires a normal Underwater Post Office date stamp is cancelled in the Main Post Office. “The demand has been incredible”, said Ian Hollins, Vanuatu Post’s Chief Executive. “ We have had to reprint the original postcards and have commissioned two more designs. Visitors are excited by the prospect of visiting the site and sending a memento home to friends that is different to anything else they have come across”. Ian continues “we have had such a positive response that already we have three other unique ideas in the pipeline in a campaign we have called Xtreme Post. This involves internationally unique postal locations that will capture the imagination of collectors and visitors alike. The second issue in this series after the Underwater Post Office will be released later in the year so watch this space!”. Vanuatu Post released the Underwater Post Office stamp issue on 30 January, 2004 and this issue, including a miniature sheet, follows the initial launch stamp that was released in September, 2003. This new release features actual scenes of the Underwater Post Office.