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Vanuatu Travel Guide (2024) – Everything You Need To Know

Vanuatu – a pacific island paradise! The archipelago of Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands. Travellers come here seeking gorgeous landscapes, fantastic diving & snorkelling, rainforests, volcanoes, lagoons, stunning beaches and warm hospitality.

Our Vanuatu travel guide will cover everything you need to know about this lush island nation.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

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Table of Contents

How to get around in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has many islands on which you can stay, and our Vanuatu travel guide includes all options for transport.

The main island, Efate, has small local minivans that pick up and drop off around the island. Look for a ‘B’ fixed on the number plate and flag the driver down on the side of the road.

Tell him where you’re going and ask if he’s going that way. One of the quirks of this transport system is that there is no set bus route. The drop-off points are usually in the order of the people who got on, going directly to each person’s destination.

These trips cost 150vt (USD 1.30) per person. It’s best to have a small change to pay the driver.

Transport options from Port Vila airport to your accommodation

This Vanuatu Travel Guide will also help you with getting from the airport:

Once you arrive at the airport in Port Vila, there are two ways to do this:

Take a private taxi – Exit the arrivals hall and find a taxi driver just outside. The standard rate quoted from the airport to your accommodation on the main island is 3500vt (USD 30). You may be able to talk your way into a better price, but that all depends on how good your negotiating skills are.

You can book a private transfer here if you’d like to arrange a transfer before your arrival.

Take local transport – This is precisely what we did and it’s very easy and much more affordable. Exit the arrivals hall at the airport and wait just outside for one of the small local minivans with a ‘B’ on its number plate.

Flag the driver down when he comes past and tell him the address/road you’re going to. It’s worth just double-checking the price with him. Depending on your accommodation’s distance, he may charge you more than the standard 150vt. 

Our accommodation at the beautiful Nasama Resort  was about 4km past the centre of Port Vila, located on Pango Road. We paid our driver 200vt each from the airport to our accommodation; he was happy. We were dropped off directly before our resort; it was super easy.

The local minivans are very frequent on the main island of Efate, so it doesn’t take much effort to get around using public transport.

Car hire Options – Vanuatu Travel Guide

Yes, you can also hire a car on the main island. Discover Cars offers the cheapest prices. As a rough guide, prices start from around USD 70 per day.

The island is relatively easy to drive around – but mind the potholes!

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road in Vanuatu. Renting a car can save you time exploring different beaches and reaching the islands’ highlights.

Vanuatu Travel Guide: Where to stay in Vanuatu?

Efate (main island) – There are many options for accommodation in Efate. Most travellers will book a resort with access to the beach and facilities such as a pool and restaurants and base themselves there.

We booked a beach-view studio apartment at Nasama Resort for our stay in Vanuatu, and it was perfect.

A great feature of the apartment is that it was entirely self-contained, so we had our kitchen to cook meals. It was nice to cook breakfast and enjoy it with a coffee on our patio overlooking the beach each morning.

Alternatively, there is an on-site restaurant at the resort for those who don’t wish to cater for themselves.

Cafe Vila offers a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu in a very comfortable setting.

Our studio also included a flatscreen TV with A/C and a ceiling fan.

The location of our apartment was literally on the doorstep of a beautiful little beach with turquoise blue waters and an infinity pool, too. 

We want to return to Nasama Resort on our next visit to Vanuatu – we didn’t want to leave! 

CLICK HERE to check prices and availability for Nasama Resort . Let’s get back to our Vanuatu Travel Guide.

Booking.com is an easy-to-use search engine. It offers the best selection of accommodation available all over the world. We find they offer the lowest prices and no fees. Our Tip: Search by price, and filter by best reviews.

Budget accommodation in Port Vila

If you’re looking for budget yet decent accommodation in the centre of Port Vila, I’d recommend Room with a View . Check out the  Moorings Hotel  if you’ve got a little more in the budget; rooms from USD 80 per night.

RELATED POST:  How to Visit Every Country in the Pacific – The Ultimate Guide

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Where to Eat in our Vanuatu Travel Guide?

Aside from the delicious and affordable market food, there are a few great places to eat in Port Vila – I’ve mentioned them below:

L’Houstelet – a French restaurant that has been open for over 45 years. If you’re looking for some well-cooked French-style cuisine, don’t look further than this restaurant, located directly across from the main supermarket in the centre of Port Vila. We enjoyed a delicious beef fillet with pepper sauce here, which is highly recommended.

Cafe Vila – This restaurant is part of the Nasama Resort ; however, everybody is welcome to dine here and enjoy their fresh menu. The fresh fish here is delicious. It’s less than a 10-minute drive from town; take a local minivan for 150 vt per person.

Chill Restaurant and Bar –  Great views and fantastic food at this restaurant in the centre of Port Vila. It’s a little pricey but a memorable dining experience.

Central Markets

Don’t miss out on eating some of the best food on the island. Our Vanuatu Travel Guide would be incomplete if we didn’t talk about the cuisine. Located at the rear of the fresh central markets, you can find ‘mamas’ cooking home-cooked dishes.

Several different stalls are set up here, and you can choose who to dine with. Just sit at the comfortable tables – there are menus and prices. 

I ate a coconut fish curry, served with rice and tropical salad – the price was 500vt ($4.25).

It was delicious and a very generous portion. I’d highly recommend eating here for lunch during your stay. 

You’ll also see ladies selling ‘ready meals’ in the markets for takeaway. The food is home-cooked and wholesome.

Different options were chicken with vegetables (sweet potatoes, yams and green water spinach), dried fish, and the national dish in Vanuatu, laplap. 

Try the local food! – The Best Recommendation in our Vanuatu Travel Guide

Laplap is prepared by grating breadfruit, bananas and taro and making a vegetable paste. Coconut cream is added, and meat such as chicken, beef or pork is added.

It is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an underground oven. We purchased some chicken laplap from the markets to eat for lunch, later on, the price was 200vt.

The dish tastes like mashed vegetables and bananas with coconut cream added. It was tasty, yet a little bland. The serving size was huge, and we struggled to eat the entire meal.

RELATED POST – 7 Tips – How to find the best food when travelling

We love self-catering when we travel

Eating out for every meal can be costly, so if you choose to book an apartment as we did, having access to a full kitchen is priceless. We cooked quite a few meals during our stay here.

Our portable coffee machine was our saviour! It’s hard to find a good coffee on the island, and if you do, you’ll be paying at least $5 for one. We always travel with our espresso machine and a bag of freshly ground coffee.

Things to do in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has some of the world’s best beaches and diving/snorkelling. Most guesthouses and hotels can organise daily excursions. However, I’d recommend saving yourself a lot of money and booking activities online.

Viator is one of our favourite sites for booking food tours, day tours, and attraction tickets. It’s so easy to just browse the tours on Viator , pay online, and immediately receive your tour voucher.

Vanuatu Travel Guide – The cost

How much does stuff cost from the supermarket?

**Index of prices** Price shown in VUV/USD

• 1.5L bottle of water 150vt / $1.30
• Small NZ butter 220vt / $1.85
• Canned tomatoes 160vt / $1.35
• Baguette 60vt / $0.50
• eggs (each) 40vt / 0.33c
• 1 x small bottle Tusker beer 225vt / $1.90
• Tinned tuna 100vt / $0.85c
• 2min noodles 50vt / $0.42c
• UHT milk 1L 150vt / $1.30
• Bag spaghetti 500g from 150vt /   $1.30
• Bottle of wine 870vt / $7.40

Cost of fresh produce from the fresh markets

• Bunch of 12 small bananas 200vt / $1.70
• Small punnet of baby tomatoes 200vt / $1.70
• Pineapple 100-250vt / $0.84c – $2.10
• Eggplant (x3) 200vt / $1.70
• Avocado from 60-200vt / $1.70
• Potatoes/sweet potatoes (sml bag) 200vt / $1.70

We picked up a few groceries at Au Bon Marche, a larger supermarket that is located next to the fresh central markets in Port Vila. It’s convenient to visit both at the same time.

After shopping for food, we caught a local bus to our resort from the front of the markets for 150vt per person. 

Popular Activities & Day Trips in Vanuatu

Vanuatu travel guide for the best beaches.

What would our Vanuatu travel guide be without telling you about the best beaches to visit while you’re here?

Eton Beach – This is arguably the nicest beach on the main island of Efate. Expect white sand, palm trees and turquoise blue waters – just like you’ve seen in those travel magazines. The nearby reef cradles a natural pool where you can relax and watch small tropical fish swim around you.

Paradise Cove Beach – This beach is conveniently located near Port Vila. Bring your snorkel and enjoy fantastic swimming and snorkelling while you’re here. This is a beautiful beach in a lush setting.

Hideaway Beach – A popular place to come and enjoy a lazy day of swimming, snorkelling and relaxing. Unfortunately, we noticed that the coral reef has suffered heavily due to the number of visitors trampling over it. Yet, it was still teeming with beautiful tropical fish and underwater life. There is a beach restaurant where you can enjoy lunch or a cold beer. You can also hire snorkelling gear at reception for a fee.

Hideaway Island is also home to the world’s only underwater post office, so kids (and adults) can get a kick out of swimming underwater to send that postcard from paradise!

Note: You must pay an entrance fee of 1250vt or AUD 17 for adults.

Champagne Beach – A famous beach located on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. The beach is renowned for its shimmering crystal-clear waters and powdery white sands. See the bubbly water rising in the lagoon, caused by volcanic gas forcing the water to fizz through the rocks at low tide. This island receives many visitors on cruise boats from Australia.

Bokissa beach – Powder white sands, turquoise water and swaying palm trees. To the south of Espiritu Santo, Bokissa Island is an ideal place to escape and relax in paradise. Perfect for swimming, snorkelling and enjoying the warm tropical breezes of Vanuatu.

Other islands in Vanuatu worth visiting

Tanna Island is one of the most popular islands to visit in Vanuatu.

The biggest drawcard for visitors is to visit Mt Yasur Volcano. You can reserve simple accommodation in bungalows or a treehouse for incredible views of the volcano.

Accommodation options in Tanna:

• Castle Tree House & Bungalows –  Set in White Sands, Castle Tree House And Bungalow provides a garden. Featuring a shared kitchen, this property also welcomes guests with a restaurant, a water park and a terrace.
• Friendly Beach – Friendly Beach offers luxurious beachfront accommodation in a remote location. Each beachfront has a large terrace with a hammock and lounge seat, providing views across the Pacific Ocean.
• Rocky Ridge Bungalows – Set in Tanna Island, Rocky Ridge Bungalows offers accommodation with a balcony. This is an affordable accommodation for those travellers on a budget.

There are daily flights to Tanna with Air Vanuatu. Check availability, and the cheapest flights can be found on Skyscanner .

Espiritu Santo Island is famous for its fantastic beaches, range of basic or luxury accommodations, hiking, relaxing and scuba diving and snorkelling.

Accommodation options in Espiritu Santo:

Santo Seaside Villas – A great option with breakfast included in the rate. Clean and comfortable rooms and the staff are super friendly.

Beachfront Resort – A great mid-range option. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, a restaurant and a bar on this property. Free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast.

Turtle Bay Lodge – This is a beautiful property with excellent reviews, including breakfast and a waterfront location. If you’ve got the budget to stay here, with prices starting at around $100 per night, then book it!

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Things to remember about travel in Vanuatu

• To visit many island beaches, hot springs, blue holes and caves, you’ll have to pay the landowners (in the form of entrance fees), so ensure you have some local currency or AUD.
• Bring your snorkelling gear to save on hire fees.
• Tap water is OK to drink
• English and French are widely spoken here.
• Use local (shared) transport and boats to get around to keep costs down.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

And that’s our Vanuatu Travel Guide. Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments. 

Love to eat when you travel? After reading our Vanuatu travel guide, check out our post about   5 Foods you cannot miss in Vanuatu .

For more stories from our crazy adventure to visit every country in the world , read more about the time we got  stranded in the Pacific – cancelled flights, lost luggage, and coronavirus.

Travelling this way, too? Have you decided on the question regarding Suitcase vs Backpack – Which should you choose?  

Don’t miss our Ultimate Packing List for Travellers !

Want to visit a gorgeous island destination that isn’t so well known? Check out our page dedicated to the tiny nation of Palau .

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Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

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🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

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💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

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✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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Visiting Vanuatu: Things To Know Before You Go

16 nov 2023 29 jan 2020 | dan.

It may be more low-key than some of its glitzy South Pacific neighbours, but humble Vanuatu offers adventure and chillax in equal plenty.

In this post, we’ve pulled together the pre-trip considerations and important things to know for visiting Vanuatu and exploring this unassumingly awesome corner of the South Pacific.

Why visit Vanuatu?

Beach lover? How about some pristine white sand and crystal clear water, pretty much to yourself? Adventure mad? Canyoning, trekking and kayaking awaits, along with the roiling, steaming heights of Mt Yasur volcano. For scuba junkies, Vanuatu is home to one of the world’s best shipwreck dives, along with fantastic reef and WWII relic dive sites.

Vanuatu’s culture is a story 2,500 years in the making, and the opportunities to experience and immerse in the vibrant traditions of the ni-Vanuatu people are many.

We decided to focus our first Vanuatu odyssey on just one of its 83 islands, and we’re glad we did. While it was the world class scuba diving in Vanuatu that first drew us in, we were blown away by how much there was to do on the island of Espiritu Santo alone.

Here’s a video we put together of our favourite highlights on Santo as a taster:

This may well be your biggest challenge once you decide to visit Vanuatu: what will you do with the time you have?

In the meantime, let’s get started with the things you need to know before visiting Vanuatu.

Where should you go in Vanuatu?

The Republic of Vanuatu is made up of 83 separate islands scattered over a distance of some 1,300 kilometres. That’s a lot of isle-and-ocean to navigate.

That said, only 65 or so of the islands are actually inhabited, and most tourists really only make it to a handful of them. With just ten days for our first Vanuatu visit, we opted to spend all our time on just one island – Espiritu Santo. At a glance though, these are some of the more popular islands for a trip to Vanuatu:

• Efate is Vanuatu’s main island and home to the capital, Port Vila. Most visitors start (and stay) here as it offers a good sampler of the archipelago, with waterfalls and beaches, cultural experiences, island day trips, nice snorkelling and diving, and the biggest concentration of shopping and dining.
• Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu’s biggest island and an adventure hub, with jungle trekking, river kayaking, pristine beaches, beautiful blue holes, and great reef and wreck scuba diving sites, including the world’s largest accessible shipwreck, the SS Coolidge. You can visit villages for cultural tours here too. Luganville is its main town.
• Tanna Island offers yet more diving and rainforest adventures, coffee plantations, upscale resorts, and a Vanuatu showpiece: the very accessible, very active Mt Yasur volcano.
• Pentecost Island is famous for the heart-in-mouth rite of passage naghol – a forerunner of bungee, where men leap from wooden towers with vines attached to their legs. It takes place between May and July.
• Maleluka Island is for cultural discovery, a place to learn about ancient islander traditions, including a not-so-distant cannibal past.

Do you need a visa for Vanuatu?

If you’re a citizen of a Commonwealth or EU country, or the US, you don’t need a visa to visit Vanuatu; you just need a passport with at least six months’ validity and an onward ticket. You get a 30-day stay on arrival, and this can be extended up to four months once you’re there.

There are a number of countries, however, that do require a visa for visiting Vanuatu – check out this link for more info.

How do you travel to Vanuatu?

There are two international airports in Vanuatu: Bauerfield International Airport near Port Vila on the main island of Efate, and Pekoa International Airport near Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo.

Most international flights land at Port Vila, with domestic transfers to the other islands from there. You can reach Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, direct from Sydney and Brisbane in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, Nadi in Fiji and Noumea in New Caledonia. There’s also a direct flight from Brisbane to the island of Espiritu Santo.

We took a 3.5 hour flight from Sydney to Port Vila, then a 50-minute domestic flight to Santo.

Airport taxes

There’s an international departure tax of VT2,500 (around USD$20) and an Air Vanuatu domestic departure tax of VT400 (appx USD$3.50). These are included in your airfare.

There’s also a separate domestic departure fee of VT200 (USD$1.70) for any flight out of the domestic airports at Port Vila, Santo, Emae, Epi and Tongoa. This is paid at the airport. We saw signs for it at the domestic airport in Port Vila, but it turns out you don’t need to pay this fee if you’re in transit.

Airport services

There’s very little going on at the international airports in Port Vila and Santo. The domestic airports are right next door.

We had an early morning flight out of Santo and there was a little café there serving food and coffee.

On our way home, we had a five hour layover in Port Vila. Given the very limited food choices at the airport, we decided to take a taxi into town to check out the markets and have something to eat (try the waterside Nambawan Café – a great spot to while away the time with nice meals and drinks).

We negotiated with our cabbie to come back and collect us a few hours later – total cost was VT3,000 (around USD$25). There were buses running into town from the airport which would be much cheaper, but less certain on the return.

How do you get between Vanuatu’s islands?

Getting between Vanuatu’s islands requires planning and time, so it pays to be realistic about how much you can see with the time you have.

Air is by far the quickest way to get around the Vanuatu archipelago, though we’re generally talking small prop planes that book up quickly, so don’t leave planning to the last minute.

There are some charter companies flying the domestic routes, but Air Vanuatu is the main player on the domestic run between the islands (it has 24 internal destinations bookable online).

While it’s the fastest mode of transport, it’s worth noting that Vanuatu’s domestic flight program is notoriously unreliable (for a range of reasons), so give yourself plenty of time if you’re connecting with other flights or activities.

We worked out pretty quickly that time moves at a different pace in Vanuatu, and there’s no point stressing about slow moving check-ins and delayed flights. The locals definitely aren’t.

Boat is another way to travel between the islands but you will need (lots of) time and patience. For example, the two passenger ferries plying the route between Port Vila and Santo (a 50-minute flight) take around 24 hours. More if they decide to stop in at other ports on the way.

To be honest, the more we read about travelling between the islands by boat, unless your travels are open-ended, and you don’t mind very basic conditions, unpredictable schedules and potentially rough seas, take a plane.

What about getting around once you’re on an island?

Getting around once you’re on an island is easy. On Santo, we made regular use of the taxis doing the main run to and from town. Taxis (usually little tin boxes with a sign on their roof) charged a flat fee of VT200 (around USD$1.70) for both of us – we made a point of checking this whenever we got in though. Apparently it’s more like VT500 (USD$4.30) in Port Vila.

If they’ve got room, taxis will stop even if they already have passengers, so we often found we were sharing with others, which was a nice way to get chatting with the locals.

Mini-buses are also common and can be flagged down anywhere – they have a B at the start of the number plate. On Santo, the fare was VT100 (about USD$0.85) per person for a short trip in town and from VT200 if travelling out of town (apparently it’s around VT150 in Port Vila).

On a couple of occasions, we unintentionally hitched when people stopped to offer us a lift while we were walking. We’ve read that in these cases, the ride is usually free unless the driver has to go out of their way to drop you off. In our case, they did go out of their way, so we negotiated a fare, which was the same as a taxi trip. Ask before you get in if you’re unsure.

We love the freedom that comes with hiring a car and Vanuatu was no exception, especially with Santo’s famous East Coast Road to explore.

Car hire certainly isn’t the only option for exploring the East Coast Road – you can hire a local to take you in their car, or join a guided tour taking in some of the key destinations. For us though, hiring a car was the perfect opportunity to explore this stunning coastal region at our own pace over a couple of days.

There are a couple of car hire companies in both Port Vila on Efate, and Luganville on Santo. We hired a zippy little SUV for two days for around VT18,000 (around USD$155). Vanuatu car hire isn’t a cheap option, and there are additional fees, like parking at Champagne Beach (VT2,000) and petrol, which all adds up. Still, we loved being able to stop where and when we wanted.

Public and private land in Vanuatu Land in Vanuatu is either public land owned by the Government, or ‘kastom’ land which is privately owned by ni-Van traditional owners. Visiting ‘kastom’ land requires permission from the land owners (you’ll often see ‘tabu’ signs at the entry to properties – it’s the origin of our word ‘taboo’ and means what it suggests – don’t go in without invitation). There are specific places that can be visited by tourists, and these are managed by their kastom owners. You’ll often find there’s a local payment for visiting these places, which goes directly to the community. At first we were a bit dubious about handing over cash to random people at the entrance to certain places, but we soon discovered this is normal and there’s a trust system at work. If you pay someone an entry fee, just ask their name so if you’re later asked by someone else, you can tell them who you paid. If you want to get off the regular tourist trail, tour operators have often negotiated with kastom owners to access special places you won’t otherwise get to see.

What language do the people of Vanuatu speak?

The people of Vanuatu are called ni-Vanuatu (ni-Van for short), and while there are more than 100 local languages across the archipelago, the three official Vanuatu languages are Bislama, English and French.

Bislama is a form of pidgin English specific to the ni-Van and it’s the language you’ll hear most often, though just about everyone we met spoke English.

If you want to try a couple of Bislama words and phrases, good morning is  ‘gudmoning’, how are you is ‘olsem wanem?’ and thank you is ‘tangkyu tumas’.

When is the best time to visit Vanuatu?

Vanuatu is in the tropics so it gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Still, the best time to visit is said to be between April and October . This is winter/spring, when temps are in the low to mid 20s.

The wet season, from around November to March, is hot and humid. Temps are in the high 20s to low 30s. In true tropical fashion, downpours are heavy but brief. This is also cyclone season in the Pacific though, so if you’re planning a trip to Vanuatu at this time of year, keep an eye on the weather reports.

Peak season in Vanuatu is from June to August and mid-December to the end of January. The New Zealand and Australian school holidays are particularly busy, so check ahead as prices go up during these periods.

Our Vanuatu visit was in late October and while the daytime temps were in the high 20s, lovely cool southerlies would pick up each afternoon to cool the air, and we had occasional overnight rains. Most days started overcast, clearing in the afternoons to deliver stunning blue skies.

As scuba divers, sea temps are always an important consideration for us too (we’re no fans of chilly diving). Vanuatu’s waters range from around 22 to 28 degrees throughout the year, and averaged around 26 degrees for our dives in October, which suited us just fine.

Money matters

Vanuatu’s currency is the ni-Vanuatu vatu . You may see it written up as VUV or VT. It comes in coins and notes.

• Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 100.
• Notes are in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 5000 & 10000.

It’s good to have low denominations to hand for getting around and making local purchases.

We found most restaurants in town accepted credit cards, as did the supermarkets and our accommodation. Outside of the main towns and resorts though, have cash handy.

ATMs and banks

There are banks in Port Vila and Luganville, and easily accessible ATMs in both towns. You’ll also find ATMs at the airports, and money changers.

We made a point of getting money out from the ATM at the airport in Santo when we arrived, so we wouldn’t have to fuss once we got to our accommodation.  

Is Vanuatu expensive?

While we’ve definitely been to more expensive destinations, we wouldn’t describe Vanuatu as a budget holiday. We found restaurant meals, car hire, entry fees and experiences to be similarly priced to Australia.

If you’re visiting lots of local sites in a day, entry fees can add up. These fees go directly to the community though and are an important contribution we can make as tourists.

Staying in a mid-range hotel bungalow with brekkie included, eating out some nights and buying other meals from the supermarket, using local transport and paying various entry fees, we spent an average of USD$155 per day for the two of us. Car hire, tours and scuba diving were extra.

There are lots of ways to save dollars while in Vanauatu; read on for suggestions about saving when it comes to accommodation, eating and drinking.

What is Vanuatu accommodation like?

You might be thinking Vanuatu is a luxury South Pacific holiday destination, but the country actually caters to range of budgets when it comes to accommodation.

Yes, there are some stunning waters-edge resorts and boutique stays, with the accompanying price tags. But there are also regular hotels, self-catering holiday rentals, hostels and simple beach shacks. You can also experience local life and culture with a stay in a traditional ni-Van village .

We even met a guy who was travelling with a tent and seeking permission from landowners to camp where he could.

We were keen on spreading our tourist dollar around, so on Santo we stayed at a hotel within walking distance of Luganville with a basic kitchenette. That way we could try different eateries, as well as pick up stuff from the local market and supermarket.

Vanuatu food and drink

Many ni-Van grow their own food or source it locally – be sure to visit a local market for a sense of Vanuatu food, and the sheer diversity and colour of the fruits and veg grown here (the markets in Port Vila and Luganville are on every day).

Poulet fish is a tasty white fish that turns up often on menus. Randomly, and unbeknown to us before our visit, Vanuatu beef is also considered top notch. Unsurprising, when you see the country’s chilled out cows grazing beneath palm trees on the coconut plantations.

Speaking of coconuts, you’ll also find coconut crab – the world’s largest land-based invertebrate – a prized entry on some menus. However, it can take more than 40 years for these giants to reach full size, and they’re now an endangered species . Please don’t buy it.  

Everything not grown or sourced locally has to be shipped in and the prices reflect it: we found the cost of food and drink in the restaurants and supermarkets to be similar to home.

We balanced our budget by eating out some nights and picking up items from the market and supermarket on others.

The Market Meal Booths at the market in Luganville are said to be a cheap and easy way to eat local. We didn’t get to try them alas as the markets were in the process of moving to a new location and the booths didn’t appear to be open.

When it comes to booze, it’s way cheaper to buy from the supermarket than at restaurants – literally half the price in the case of beer. We made a point of enjoying some supermarket-bought local craft beers on our balcony in the evenings rather than buying them in restaurants.

Is there wifi?

Wifi was available at our hotel free of charge, and this is apparently the norm, though some places do charge extra. We also found various cafes and restaurants had wifi for customers.

On the whole though, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the internet was generally patchy and slow. We took the cue and enjoyed a semi-digital detox instead.

How do I organise tours?

While we tend to travel independently, there are certain activities and experiences in Vanuatu that can only be done on an organised tour. With the kastom land ownership, tours also give you a chance to get off the tourist trail to see and experience parts of the islands and village life and culture that you wouldn’t otherwise get to.  

There are plenty of great tours and activities on offer around Vanuatu, from cultural shows in local villages and kayaking adventures , to volcano hikes and the epic Millennium Cave tour on Santo (check out our video above for scenes from this fantastic daytrip).

It’s very easy to organise tours – either direct with tour agencies in the main towns, or via your accommodation. This site is also a great starting point for checking out the huge range of tour options across Vanuatu.

What health risks should you be aware of?

Like any destination, there are health matters you should be aware of before you travel to Vanuatu, and vaccinations that you should check are up to date. You should always have travel insurance.

Malaria is present in Vanuatu so discuss your options with your doctor before you go, along with any vaccinations you may need. Pack repellent with DEET, and long sleeves and pants.

DEET is also useful for other bitey insects, like ticks. I (Dan) was bitten by a tick while on a trek in the jungle on Santo. As it was on my back and we weren’t sure about removing it safely, we visited a local medical clinic in Luganville to get it dealt with. It was a simple and straightforward process and the cost was similar to what we would pay to visit a doctor in Australia.

Can you drink the tap water? According to SmartTraveller , it’s safe to drink the tap water in Port Vila and Luganville, but outside these areas you should boil the water first or drink bottled water. If you’re staying in a resort, check with them whether the tap water is ok. To avoid single use plastic, we suggest packing a steripen, or take a water bottle with a built-in purification system.

Where can I buy souvenirs?

The ni-Van make beautiful handicrafts, artworks, jewellery and clothes – buying from locals at the markets ensures your dollars are going direct to the community.

On Santo, check out the Luganville Women’s Handicraft shed off Main Street by the water, and Mama Handicraft back on Main Street.

In Port Vila, head to the Haos Blong Handikraft market by the waterfront near Numbawan Cafe.

There are some things to watch out for and know: Haggling isn’t a thing in Vanuatu. If you’re travelling via (or to) Australia as part of your Vanuatu trip, be aware that quarantine laws are extremely strict. There’s information available at the handicraft markets in Port Vila and Luganville that tells you what to look for when buying souvenirs.

You’ll also see shells and shell products. As with anywhere, avoid buying these if you can; they belong in the sea.

Packing essentials for visiting Vanuatu

Here are some key take-outs from our trip to help you pack for a perfect Vanuatu adventure:

• As a tropical destination, light and airy clothes are a must.
• Long pants and sleeves are good for evenings when mosquitos come out to bite.
• DEET repellent is also critical for keeping bitey beasties at bay.
• Sunscreen is vital, especially this close to the equator; if you’re swimming in the sea, aim for a reef-friendly sunscreen.
• Wear a hat and sunnies when you’re out during the day.
• With reefs to explore, dugongs to spot and blue holes to delve into, don’t forget to pack your snorkel and mask (and an underwater camera).
• Reef shoes are great for beach, sea and river adventures.
• Pack Plug Type I – the two and three-pin plugs used in Australia and New Zealand. Bring a global adaptor too, just in case.
• Bring a water bottle with built-in purifier , a steripen or water purification tablets, particularly if you’re staying outside of Port Vila and Luganville or a resort.

Got a question we haven’t answered here? Ask away below and we’ll see if we can help. Happy Vanuatu trip planning!

2 thoughts on “Visiting Vanuatu: Things To Know Before You Go”

Am interested to visit your country this year October up to December Christmas holidays

Thanks David, I hope you make it to Vanuatu at some point – be sure to check health and entry requirements before you travel given the current COVID situation.

All the best, John and Danielle

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Vanuatu Travel Guide

Last Updated: January 30, 2023

The archipelago of Vanuatu is made up of 83 islands that offer fantastic tropical views, vivid landscapes, lush rainforests, world-class diving, lots of fish, and unforgettable Pacific hospitality.

A lot of people visit Vanuatu when they are in New Zealand since the flight time is short and there are the most connections.

Prices in Vanuatu are lower than other Pacific islands as it’s not yet a “hotspot” to visit. But just because tons of people don’t come here doesn’t mean it isn’t paradise. In fact, it’s probably even more of a paradise because of the fewer people!

Come here for friendly locals, lush jungles, unspoiled beaches, and great seafood. It’s a beautiful place to disconnect and relax.

This travel guide to Vanuatu helps you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this tropical paradise!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Vanuatu

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Vanuatu

1. Go diving

There is amazing diving in Vanuatu, with underwater tunnels, caves, and grottoes to explore. There are tons of turtles, sharks, and rays in the waters here, there are pristine soft and hard corals, the water is warm, and the visibility is out of this world. If you’re lucky you might also see dolphins on the way to or from your dive. Don’t miss the SS “President Coolidge” wreck, which sank after running into mines during World War II. Single-tank dives cost around 8,500 VUV but many places only do two-tank trips.

2. See Mount Yasur

This is the world’s most accessible active volcano (and, indeed, one of the world’s most active volcanoes), where visitors can get up close to the caldera and watch it erupt (they’re small eruptions, nothing to worry about). Access is via a short rutted road that can be either driven in a 4WD or hiked (most people go by car). You can even camp around the volcano if you’re feeling extra daring. The hike to the top takes under an hour. Ask your accommodation to help you book a tour if you want to go by car.

3. Take a village tour

The tours of the tribal villages are educational and shed light on the people who call Vanuatu home. Ekasup Cultural Village is the best-known tour but there are options on all of the three main islands and on some of the other islands too. Some take you via minivan while others are done by bike. Prices vary but expect to spend at least 4,000 VUV for a day tour.

4. Explore Port Vila

Here, you can see evidence of the shared colonial influence of France and Britain. The food seems to be French-influenced while the language is a Pidgin English called Bislama. Along the main street, you can find duty-free stores and local shops selling artisanal crafts and there are some decent restaurants and bars here too. If you’re in town for a while, pay a visit to the National Museum, head to the outdoor market, head to the Summit to explore the Secret (botanic) Gardens, and go snorkeling just off the coast at Hideaway Island (1,250 VUV entry).

5. Visit Mystery Island

This tiny island is just 1 kilometer long (0.6 miles) and 200 meters (656 feet) wide. It’s largely uninhabited, save for travelers who fly or cruise here to explore its golden beaches, hike its remote jungles, and snorkel in its crystalline waters. As well as snorkeling it’s great for other water sports like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. You can take a few boat tours that operate here but they’re mostly limited to glass-bottomed boats and deep-sea fishing. If you’d rather stay on dry land, check out the beach markets or go get a massage. Flights from Port Vila take around 3 hours as you have to go via Tanna.

Other Things to See and Do in Vanuatu

1. hike to the mele cascades.

These waterfalls are some of the most famous in the whole country. They are easy to get to and the surrounding area has lots of hiking opportunities. They’re just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Port Vila and the hike to them takes 2-3 hours. Admission is 2,000 VUV so pack a lunch and make an afternoon of it to get your money’s worth.

2. Visit Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is half an hour’s drive north of Port Vila. Mata was a 12th-century ruler who was poisoned by his brother. The area of northwest Efate and the islands of Lelepa and Artok represent the Chief’s historic area of influence. The region has several archeological sites you can visit. You can see where the chief lived, where he is buried, and where he was killed. Don’t miss the National Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the region’s history and culture before heading off to the Northwest of Efate to check out the domain.

3. Explore the islands

Rent a kayak or sailboat, or head out on an organized boat tour around the islands. Kayaking tours take you to a small coral island, which is stunningly beautiful. A full-day kayak or SUP rental is around 3,000 VUV while a guided tour costs 6,000 VUV. Boat tours start at 7,500 VUV.

4. Enjoy some water sports

Whether it’s kitesurfing, surfing, or parasailing, you can find something on the beach to keep you active or get your heart pounding. Prices vary depending on the activity so ask your accommodation to help you book lessons or gear or tours. Erakor Point, Port Resolution, and Pango Point are some popular spots for surfing.

5. Soak in the hot springs

In the northeast of Efate about an hour’s drive from Port Vila are the Nasinu Hot Springs. A local family runs the thermal springs and they are relatively basic and undeveloped (don’t expect any modern or fancy facilities). There are thermal pools and a mud bath, both of which claim to offer healing properties. There’s a restaurant nearby too.

6. Go fishing

Fishing is a popular pastime (and job) in Vanuatu and there are many competitions held throughout the year. A lot of companies offer deep-sea fishing trips for swordfish, marlin, Dorado, and Wahoo. Prices vary depending on how long you go for but expect to pay at least 100,000 VUV for a charter (they’re best shared between a group to split the cost).

7. Visit the underwater post office

Just 49 meters (160 feet) off the coast of Mele is a fully-functional underwater post office. What started as a funny idea over drinks by the local Postmaster eventually became a reality in 2003. You can only access the post office by diving to the ocean floor — and the post box is only open at certain hours. On land, you can purchase an embossed waterproof postcard that you can drop off in the underwater post box. To this day, it’s one of the only places in the world you can send mail underwater!

8. Watch naghol

Vanuatu travel costs.

Accommodation – Hostels with dorms are in short supply so budget-conscious travelers should look for affordable guesthouses. Expect prices to start artounf 3,000 VUV per night. Most include free Wi-Fi and free breakfast. Those that don’t offer breakfast usually have kitchens.

Airbnb is available around the islands with private rooms starting at 2,100 VUV per night, however, most prices average triple that. For an entire home or apartment, prices start at 3,000 VUV per night.

For those traveling with a tent, wild camping is prohibited and there are no campgrounds here. To pitch your tent, you need permission from the landowner. For that reason, camping isn’t recommended here.

Food – Vanuatuan cuisine is based heavily on fish, root vegetables like yam and taro, coconuts, and fresh fruit. Mangoes, plantain, pineapples, and papayas are all readily available. Be sure to try lap lap , (baked yam pudding) and simboro (a steamed roll wrapped in banana leaf). Tuna, Red Emperor, Parrotfish, Cod, and lobster are all common seafood staples.

Be sure to try kava , a traditional psychoactive non-alcoholic drink that’s extremely popular. It used to be consumed only at ceremonies and festivals but is now a common drink for all social situations. It has a mild narcotic effect and is quite relaxing, so it’s usually consumed at dusk.

For a meal of traditional cuisine, expect to pay 1,500 VUV. For a pizza, prices start at 1,300 VUV while Thai or Vietnamese food (which can only be found around Port Vila) costs around 1,700-2,000 VUV.

A three-course meal of traditional cuisine costs 3,250 VUV. A cappuccino costs 385 VUV, a beer costs 450 VUV, and a bottle of water costs 100 VUV.

For a week’s worth of basic groceries including staples like fish, seasonal produce, and rice, expect to pay at least 10,000 VUV. Eliminating expensive imported products such as cheese, chicken and beef can help you to keep these costs down.

Backpacking Vanuatu Suggested Budgets

On a backpacker budget of 11,000 VUV per day, you can stay in a budget guesthouse or a private room on Airbnb, cook most of your meals and have the occasional meal out, limit your drinking, do cheap activities like hiking and snorkeling, and use local transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of 26,000 VUV per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb apartment, eat out for all your meals, go diving, take some taxis to get around, enjoy a few drinks, and do some water sports like kayaking.

On a “luxury” budget of 48,000 VUV per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car to get around, visit other islands, take guided tours, eat out at any restaurant you want, and enjoy all the water sports and excursions that you want! This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in XX.

Vanuatu Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Vanuatu may not be as expensive as other nearby islands but it’s not super cheap either. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to save money in Vanuatu:

• Bring your own snorkeling gear – If you’re going to snorkel more than once or twice, bring your own gear. Rental prices can add up and the budget rental gear here is usually in poor condition.
• Avoid the resorts – The resorts here overcharge for everything. Avoid them!
• Cook your own meals – Stay somewhere with a kitchen to save money on food costs. It won’t be as glamorous as eating out, but it cuts your food costs significantly.
• Stay somewhere with free breakfast – Many budget hotels include free breakfast. Stay at one of them to lower your daily food expenses.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and lower your single-use plastic consumption. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a filter so you can ensure your water is clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Vanuatu

There are virtually no hostels in Vanuatu so budget travelers need to rely on affordable guesthouses and hotels as their main accommodation choice. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started and save money:

• Bluepango (Port Vila)
• Travellers Budget Motel (Port Vila)
• Retreat Seaside (Port Vila)
• Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows (Tanna)

How to Get Around Vanuatu

Ferry – Ferries are available between the main islands, though they don’t operate often (some only go once per week) and they can take several hours. Expect to pay between 5,000-10,000 VUV for a one-way ferry ride. There are also some smaller boats that operate called banana boats. Head to the port to find out the most recent timetable and fares.

For destinations further afield, such as Luganville, the 25-hour ferry costs around 10,000 VUV.

Bus – The bus system here has no fixed routes but you can usually catch one along one of the main roads. There aren’t always bus stops, particularly outside of the towns, so simply wave down a bus, hop on, and tell them when to stop. There are buses around Efate and along the east coast of Espiritu Santo. Expect to pay around 150 VUV for short journeys and 200-500 VUV for longer ones.

Taxi – Taxis in Vanuatu charge around 100 VUV per kilometer, although it can be more if the road conditions are bad! If you’re traveling from the airport to downtown Port Vila, it’s a flat fee of 1,400 VUV.

Flying – Efate, Santo, and Tanna can be reached via relatively affordable flights. Expect to pay around 16,000 VUV for the one-hour flight from Efate to Santo. The one-hour flight from Efate to Tanna costs about the same.

For the smaller islands, most of the airports have grass landing strips and are little more than fields. Some don’t even have electricity and most have no other facilities there. Expect smaller planes and more expensive flights.

Car rental – If you want to explore the main island by car, rentals start at 6,500 VUV per day. An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn’t required to rent a car here. Drivers typically need to be 23 years old and have had their license for at least one year.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Vanuatu is hard. There isn’t a lot of traffic here so expect long waits. However, the locals are friendly and usually don’t mind picking people up. Hitchwiki is your best resource for additional information.

When to Go to Vanuatu

April to October is the most popular time to visit Vanuatu. This is when temperatures are a comfortable 18-28°C (65-82°F).

November to March is the wet season, however, showers are usually brief and there is still plenty of sunshine. There are fewer crowds and slightly cheaper prices during this period as well.

May-June and September-October are the shoulder season and offer the best balance of price and weather.

The water in Vanuatu is a mild 22-28°C (72-82°F) all year round so you can really enjoy this island paradise any time.

How to Stay Safe in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is very safe and violent crime against visitors is rare. Petty theft is the most common issue, so keep your valuables secured and out of sight to avoid trouble. Always lock your accommodation and keep any valuables stored in a safe if possible. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity so as long as you take precautions you should be fine.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here

November-April is cyclone season. Be prepared for potential flooding and landslides. Earthquakes are also common in this region of the world, so always make sure you’re familiar with your accommodation’s emergency exits. While unlikely, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Since the country has more conservative social values, avoid wearing clothing that is too revealing.

Tropical diseases like Dengue fever and malaria are possible (especially in the rainy season). Make sure you have a vaccination for Dengue and seek medical advice about your options for malaria before arriving.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Vanuatu Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Vanuatu Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on South Pacific travel and continue planning your trip:

Learning How to Scuba Dive in Fiji

How to Backpack the Yasawa Islands

Trapped in Paradise: A Trip to Fiji

The 20 Best Tropical Islands in the World

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

The Best Things To See and Do in Vanuatu

Living up to its nickname as ‘the isles of smiles’, Vanuatu is sure to put a grin on any visitor’s face. From exploring untouched jungle and pristine tropical beaches to standing on the edge of a lava-spurting volcano, these are the top things to do in this South Pacific paradise.

With its blue lagoons, shipwrecks and spectacular beaches, it is a surprise more people haven’t visited Vanuatu. Each year, the South Pacific nation is named as one of the least visited countries in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. But the Republic of Vanuatu, a Y-shaped archipelago of 83 islands, should be at the top of every bucket list. The country is home to incredible active volcanoes, thriving coral reefs, ancient tribes and lush, tropical jungles. The people of Vanuatu, known as Ni-Van, are also some of the happiest, friendliest people in the world. It is no mistake that the country is nicknamed ‘the isles of smiles’. Do not miss these gems when planning a trip to Vanuatu.

Stand on the edge of an active volcano

Mount Yasur on Tanna Island is said to be the most accessible active volcano in the world. It is possible to reach the 361m (1,184ft) summit on foot, but many people choose to save their legs and drive up in a 4WD vehicle. But all are left weak in the knees when they stand on the edge of the crater rim and listen to the ground rumbling beneath them while watching the lava fireworks below. The glowing crater is a particularly spectacular sight at night, when the burning embers are bright against the dark sky. The journey to the volcano is a sight in itself. Visitors are driven across a plain of black, steaming ash, formed over years from eruptions raining down from the volcano.

An image of the South Pacific is incomplete without picturing the azure blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, and with more than 2,500km (1,553mi) of coastline, it is no surprise that Vanuatu is home to some stunning beaches. The palm-tree fringed Champagne Beach on Espiritu Santo has soft white sand that feels like flour beneath your toes. In the south, Tanna Island has spectacular black sand beaches at the foot of active volcano Mount Yasur. Just be aware that most beaches are owned and maintained by locals and charge a small entry fee that goes toward supporting their village, so remember to have cash handy.

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Rope swing into crystal-clear blue holes

Beautiful beaches are not the only idyllic swimming spots in Vanuatu. The country has several deep, turquoise blue holes hidden in the jungle. Matevulu blue hole on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island, is surrounded by lush greenery and impressive trees dotted with rope swings. The water comes from underground limestone caves, which naturally filters the water clean of all impurities. Because of its purity, the water is a breathtaking shade of blue, and so clear it is possible to see every leaf and stick on the sandy bottom. Malo Island to the south of Espiritu Santo also has a blue hole filled with tropical fish – a perfect place for a dip.

Learn to speak pidgin

Vanuatu is the most linguistically diverse country on the planet, with more than 100 recognised languages . But one of the most commonly spoken languages is Bislama – a form of pidgin English. Bislama is a Creole language that evolved from Ni-Van’s interactions with European traders. It began as a simplified form of phonetic English. For English-speakers, the language is often easier to understand when said out loud. Or if you missed it the first time, say: “ Mi no savee ”, meaning “I don’t understand”.

Watch a kastom dance

Kastom is the lifeblood of Vanuatu and once governed every aspect of traditional Melanesian life. It is a Bislama word used to refer to traditional culture and covers everything from religion and economics to art and even magic. In cultures where language is unwritten, traditions of the kastom way of life are passed on orally, either through stories or, often, in the form of dance. Kastom trails and traditional villages can be found across Vanuatu and offer visitors a glimpse into the past and Vanuatu’s rich cultural heritage. Over the decades it has been faithfully passed down from generation to generation and is still an integral part of modern Ni-Van life. “Vanuatu has a mysterious and mystical heart,” says Lea Faccarello, of the Vanuatu Tourism office. “Spiritualism and kastom are still alive and well here, with sculpted tam-tams adorning almost every village.”

See the original bungee jumpers at Pentecost island

Kiwi AJ Hackett is often credited with being the father of bungee jumping , but long before he popularised the sport, the Ni-Van on Pentecost island were hurling themselves off giant structures with only a vine tied around their ankle. The original adrenaline junkies made the terrifying leaps of faith as part of a unique kastom ritual at the time of the annual yam harvest. Men and boys as young as seven jump would from a 20-30m (66-98ft)-high tower, which would take weeks to build using wood and vines from the jungle. The tradition remains strong, and the Pentecost Island ‘land divers’ still perform the ritual – known as Nagol or N’gol – every Saturday between April and June.

Visit the island where people worship Prince Philip

Yes, strange as it sounds, there is a village on Tanna Island where Prince Philip is worshipped as a god. Yaohnanen is one of several ‘cargo cults’ in Vanuatu, the name given to unusual religions that started in tribal and isolated societies after they had had an encounter with a more technologically advanced society. Prince Philip’s run as deity started in 1974 when the Queen and Duke made a visit to Vanuatu, and a warrior named Chief Jack Naiva became convinced that Prince Philip was the descendant of a Tanna spiritual ancestor. Although the chief died in 2009, the village still worships the Duke and hopes that he will one day return to their island.

Drinking kava is a centuries-old tradition in South Pacific cultures. In Vanuatu it is an integral part of kastom rituals, exchanged as a gift at important gatherings like births, deaths and marriages. Kava is a tropical evergreen plant that is a distant relative of the pepper plant. The drink is made from either drying out the plant’s roots and grinding them into a powder or paste, or chewing the root into a pulp and spitting it out. This is then mixed with water to make a drink. “With 80 of the 118 species of kava growing in Vanuatu, kava use is a way of life in both historical and contemporary ceremonies,” Lea says. “The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative, anesthetic and euphoria properties, and is drunk daily by a shell at kava bars, or Nakamals as they are called in Vanuatu.”

Scuba dive among WWII shipwrecks

Vanuatu is a scuba diver ’s dream because of the huge numbers of accessible shipwrecks in the country’s waters. During World War II, Vanuatu was the site of the biggest US base in the South Pacific. The ships sunk during the war are now home to thriving coral and diverse marine life. The most famous shipwreck in Vanuatu is the USS President Coolidge scuttled off the coast of Espiritu Santo. The enormous ship is over 180m (591ft) long, and divers have been exploring the 30-60m (98-196ft)-depth wreck since the 1980s. Lea says: “Considered by many divers to be the best wreck dive in the world, the SS Coolidge is still very much intact with reminders of her glorious days as a cruise liner and the remnants of her days as a troop ship.” Efate Island is also home to two accessible wrecks – the Bonzer and Semele Federesen.

Search for dugongs

Vanuatu is home to a whole host of interesting creatures, including a rare species of bird that incubates their eggs by burying them in hot volcanic sand. But none are more interesting than dugongs , or sea cows. These giant mammals are endangered in many parts of the world, but their population numbers are high in Vanuatu. Called kowfis (cow fish) in Bislama, they are so named because they are the only marine mammal that is herbivorous – they graze on seagrass. Lea says: “Vanuatu is one of the few places where you can swim with dugongs in their natural seagrass habitat. Traditionally hunted for their meat, conservation efforts have stepped up in recent years.” Although some travellers report sightings near Port Vila, these are rare. “The best places to spot them are the outer islands, especially the seagrass meadows off Malakula, and Lamen Bay on Epi.”

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Places to Stay

The best luxury resorts in vanuatu.

The Best Hotels to Book in Vanuatu

Food & Drink

How a south pacific tv show aims to change the way islanders eat.

Guides & Tips

How the south pacific island nation vanuatu is affected by climate change.

From Wrecks to Coral Walls: The Best Scuba Diving Sites in The South Pacific Paradise of Vanuatu

See & Do

The best things to see and do on efate island, vanuatu.

The Best Things To Do on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Read An Extract of Vanuatuan Writer Marcel Melthérorong's Debut Novel

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Must-see attractions in Vanuatu

Mele Cascades

This popular and photogenic swimming spot is 10km from Port Vila. A series of clear aquamarine pools terrace up the hillside, culminating in an impressive…

Millennium Cave

Trek and trudge through the jungle, across creeks, along bamboo bridges and through cascades to this massive cave, 20m wide and 50m high, about 15km from…

National Museum of Vanuatu

This excellent museum, in a soaring traditional building opposite the parliament, has a well-displayed collection of traditional artefacts such as tamtam …

Espiritu Santo

At the end of the sealed road you come to Port Olry, a small francophone fishing village with a stunning curve of white-sand beach and eye-watering…

Peering down into the rumbling, exploding lava storm of Mt Yasur is a sight you won't soon forget. The active volcano is so accessible that 4WD vehicles…

Mt Benbow & Mt Marum

The guided climb up these twin volcanoes is reasonably demanding and the view is often obscured by low cloud and volcanic smoke and ash. But on a clear…

Million Dollar Point

Million Dollar Point, where hundreds of tonnes of US military equipment was dumped, now shows its coral-encrusted machinery to snorkellers and divers. At…

Iririki Island

Iririki is the green, bungalow-laden island right across from Port Vila’s waterfront; it was closed following Cyclone Pam in 2015 but is expected to…

Port Resolution

Tanna’s best anchorage is this beautiful bay with magnificent cliffs and easy access to east Tanna's best beaches. The Ireupuow village has a basic shop,…

Hideaway Island

Just 100m or so offshore from Mele Beach, Hideaway Island isn't all that hidden but it's one of Vila's favourite spots for snorkelling, diving or just…

Loru Conservation Area

Covering 220 hectares, Loru Conservation Area contains one of the last patches of lowland forest remaining on Santo’s east coast. There are several…

Chief Roi Mata Burial Site

Chief Roi Mata's domain and burial site became Vanuatu's first World Heritage site in 2008. Roi Mata was a powerful 17th-century chief who, as legend has…

Ekasup Cultural Village

Futuna islanders talk about and demonstrate their traditional lifestyle at their kastom village. If you're not heading out to other islands, this is an…

Aore Island

Across the Segond Channel, Aore island is easily reached on the free resort ferry. There's not much regular transport on the island so you're limited to…

Champagne Beach

Champagne Beach is a pretty horseshoe of soft white sand and turquoise water that gets rave (slightly overhyped) reviews and regular cruise-ship visitors…

Erakor Island

Erakor is one of Vila's excellent resort islands. Day trippers can swim and snorkel at the shallow white-sand beach, kayak around the island or dine in…

Vila Outdoor Market

Vila’s colourful waterfront covered market (also known as the Mama's Market) is open round the clock from Monday morning to noon on Saturday with women…

Take the winding road up to the Summit to visit these botanic gardens offering wonderful views over Mele Bay. There's a plant distillery producing…

Ringi Te Suh Marine Conservation Area

Take a guided tour by outrigger canoe to this marine sanctuary, a 100-hectare reef protected by the villagers of Pellonk (the name itself means ‘leave it…

John Frum Village

At Namakara, this is one of the biggest John Frum villages on Tanna. Dances are held on Friday nights, when songs of praise are sung to the tunes of…

Secret Garden

The beautiful botanic gardens here help bring some of Vanuatu's island flora and its cultural uses to life. There's a kastom magic show (adult/child 1500…

Hole of the Moon Cave

Down south, at Sanasom, is magnificent Hole of the Moon Cave and Malangauliuli, a cave with spectacular petroglyphs. Chief Jonah is kastom owner of the…

Lonnoc Beach

In a beautiful coastal setting just off the East Coast Rd, this beach is all white sand and turquoise water, with views of Elephant Island. Drop into…

Matanawora WWII Relics

Two US WWII fighter planes lie in the shallows near Baofatu. They ran out of fuel coming in to land at Quoin Hill. If he's around, Erik will take you out…

Malampa Handicrafts Centre

Behind the market in Lakatoro, this small handicrafts centre and store stocks locally made baskets, hats, mats, jewellery and coconut soaps and oils. Stop…

Taka Kastom Village

This cultural village near Takara welcomes visitors (it's on most round-island tours). A traditional buffet meal is 700VT per person and you can see music…

Valeva Cave

Turn off the Ring Rd to fragrant Siviri village (signposted), from where you can explore Valeva Cave in a kayak (1000VT). It has chambers, tunnels and an…

Tanna Coffee Factory

Watch the roaster at work and learn the story of Tanna coffee over a strong brew (350VT) at this welcoming coffee-roasting factory and cafe.

Ransuck Cultural Village

Community members from Pentecost take you through a lush garden and show you how their beautiful mats are made. Near the airport.

Lakatoro Cultural Centre

On Lakatoro's upper ridge this small cultural centre has some fascinating exhibits such as local carvings, photos and a library.

Leweton Cultural Village

Listen to women making water music and see other traditions from the Banks Islands. Located near the airport; book in advance.

Giant Banyan

Jungle trails take you past villages to a giant banyan as big as a soccer field. It’s near Lowrapik Tuan.

Kauri Reserve

Guided walks from Dillons Bay include trips to the kauri reserve to see ancient 40m-high trees.

Luganville Market

Villagers come from all over to sell their produce here. It’s near the Sarakata Bridge.

Waterfall Falls

Near Waterfall Village (Vanua), this impressive waterfall has a refreshing swimming hole.

Lelepa island has spectacular Feles Cave, cave drawings and fishing adventures.

Marine Reserve

There's a marine reserve in the bay near Nambwarangiut village.

Marine Sanctuary

At the northern end of the beach below Port Resolution.

Coffee beans are hulled at this factory near Lenakel.

Londot Land-Dive Site

Naghol (land-diving) site in Londot village.

More destinations you need to see

Vanuatu Travel Guide – An Adventurer’s Paradise

Vanuatu is the adventurer’s paradise we’ve been searching for. It is a country where you can climb two active volcanoes in one day, swim in the world clearest bluest lagoons, scuba dive incredible coral reefs, then board a cargo ship overnight to a remote island. Of course, there is the option to relax in a natural geothermal hot spring and enjoy a secluded beach all to yourself with a fresh coconut in hand after all the exploring too.

The culture in Vanuatu is diverse. There are over 100 languages spoken, sometimes more than 10 dialects on one island. There are 7 main religions, with many people following more than one. Cannibalism only ended a few decades ago, and many locals still believe in various forms of Black Magic.

There are a total of 83 islands, spread over 900 kilometers. From the Torres Islands in the far north to Angehowhat in the far south. Each island has its own culture, so you can just begin to imagine what a diverse country Vanuatu is.

To see all the islands would take many months. I recommend spending five to ten days on each island. This will give you sufficient time to properly understand the local culture and have the chance to meet the local people.

Table of Contents

Vanuatu fact file.

Population: 250,000

Currency: Vatu. Check exchange rates here.

Languages ; Bislama, English, French, Regional Dialects

International Airports; Port Vila, Luganville

Visa Requirements; for most countries only a departure flight is required. If you don’t want to book a departure flight just yet, you can rent one here for a minimal fee.

Domestic airlines ; Air Vanuatu , Bel Airways , Unity Airlines, Air Taxi Vanuatu

Phone services; Digicel, TVL

Where is Vanuatu Located? 

Vanuatu is a series of 83 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is located about 500km North East of New Caledonia, and 1,900km East of Australia. Vanuatu stretches from approximately the latitude of Mackay to Port Douglas in Australia, all of which is referred to as the tropics.

Air Vanuatu connects Vanuatu directly with its neighboring islands including; Fiji, New Caledonia, Soloman Islands, and Papua New Guinea.

Best Time to Visit Vanuatu 

The best time to visit Vanuatu is a personal opinion. Are you keen to see a certain festival such as the Naghol Land Diving, do you want to travel the off-season when prices are lower and there are fewer tourists around, or just after beautiful blue skies?

Vanuatu has a distinct wet season and dry season.

• The wet season (monsoon season) runs from November to March. It doesn’t rain all day but the humidity is incredibly high with the ambient temperature above 30 degrees. This can be uncomfortable for some.
• The dry season runs from April to October. There is much less rain and the ambient temperature ranges from 18 degrees to 28 degrees.

In my opinion, the best time to visit Vanuatu is the end of the wet season (February to March). I don’t mind the rain or the humidity in exchange for being one of the only tourists around. Heck, I even got the entire Blue Lagoon in Santo to myself! You can’t complain about that.

Vanuatu Island Guide

With 83 islands, there is plenty to see when you travel Vanuatu. Each island has it’s own unique culture, landscape, and attractions. Here is a quick overview of some of the most popular islands.

Espiritu Santo

Highlights: blue lagoons, diving SS Coolidge, Champagne Beach

Santo Espiritu is commonly referred to as Santo by the locals. This is the largest of Vanuatu’s 83 islands. The east coast is well connected by sealed roads from Luganville in the south to Port Olry (pronounced Port Lory) in the north. You can take a hire car along sealed roads.

Other parts of the island such as the interior, north coast and west coast are unsealed and only accessible by 4WD.

The most popular attractions in Santo Espiritu is to visit one of Vanuatu’s Blue Lagoons . There are actually three popular Blue Lagoons here including the Riri Blue Hole, Nanda Blue Hole, and Matevulu Blue Hole. As the name suggests, the water here is incredibly blue and crystal clear (apart from Matevulu which has recently turned green).

Other popular things to do in Santo include hiking to the  Millenium Cave, and SCUBA diving the SS Coolridge, and checking out the old war relics at Million Dollar Point.

Of course, your time on Santo would not be complete without enjoying one of the amazing beaches such as Champagne Beach, Port Olry, and my favorite Lonnoc Beach.

Airports: Luganville

Stay in Espiritu Santo: Lonnoc Beach Bungalows – Lonnoc Beach

Highlights: Small Nambas, Big Nambas, Dugongs

Malekula is the second largest island in Vanuatu, but perhaps the most culturally diverse. There are regular flights and boats from Santo and Port Vila to Malekula.

A flight is less than one hour, while a boat takes four to eight hours from Santo, and overnight from Port Vila.

Popular attractions in Malekula include; Small Nambas Cultural Tour, Big Nambas Cultural Tour, Cannibal sites, Botko Waterfall, Losinwei Waterfall, South West Bay, and the Maskelynes. Malekula is one of the top islands to spot dugongs in the wild, though they can still be quite difficult to find.

Read my detailed guide to travel in north Malekula where I visited small islands like Uripiv without electricity, roads or mobile phone coverage.

Airports in Malekula; Nosrup, Lamap

Stay in Malekula: Nabelchel Guesthouse – Norsup

Highlights: volcanoes, hot springs

Ambrym is home to two active volcanoes each with lava lakes. Lava lakes are a very rare occurrence, there are only five locations where you can find these.

Unlike Tanna where you can drive to the top of the volcano, the volcanoes in Ambrym   are more adventurous requiring two to three days of hiking.

A hike to the volcanoes can be arranged departing Craig’s Cove with options to return to Craig’s Cove or hike overland to Olal in the north or Ulei in the east.

The island has two domestic airports including Craig’s Cove and Ulei. Access to the south is via a road in terrible condition, while Olal and Rano in the north as accessed by speedboat.

Airports in Ambrym: Craig’s Cove, Ulei

Stay in Ambrym: Sam’s Guesthouse – Craig’s Cove

Highlights: Naghol Land Diving

Pentecost is one of the easternmost islands in Vanuatu. It is said that it always rains on Pentecost whether wet or dry season.

Pentecost is home of the Naghol land diving festival . Naghol runs every Saturday between April and June, marking the start of the Yam harvest season. Read more about my trip to see Naghol on Pentecost here.

Pentecost’s west coast is accessible by a terrible condition road only passable by 4WD. The east coast has no road and can only be traveled by boat. It is suggested the government will build a road on Pentecost’s east coast, but no one knows when this will happen.

Airports in Naghol: Lonorore, Sara

Stay in Pentecost: Noda Guesthouse – Waterfall Village

Efate is commonly referred to as Port Vila and is Vanuatu’s most populated island. Life in Port Vila is very different from the outer islands. The island is accessible by sealed road, has phone coverage and stable power supply.

For good snorkeling near Port Vila snorkeling head to Hideaway Island. The bay is protected by a marine reserve which means no fishing. If you stay at the Hideaway Island Resort you will get free use of snorkels, kayaks, paddleboards, free boat transfer to the mainland and avoid the 1250 vatu island entry fee.

For good surfing head to Pango beach. It is one of the only surfing spots you will find in all of Vanuatu. Water is otherwise quite flat throughout the country.

Efate is visited by many Australian tourists with direct flights from Sydney and Brisbane. There are plenty of hotels available from dorm rooms to fancy 5-star hotels.

While a trip to Port Vila s an easy way to visit Vanuatu, you will not get a view into the traditional way of life here.

Airports: Port Vila

Stay in Efate: Hideaway Island Resort – Port Vila

Additional Islands in Vanuatu

Have you been to any other islands in Vanuatu and would like to contribute content? I am open to accepting guest content on islands such as; Tanna, Banks Islands, Maewo, etc…

Getting Around Vanuatu

International flights to vanuatu.

There are a number of international flights to Vanuatu, most departing from either Australia, New Zealand, or the other South Pacific Islands.

• Air Vanuatu is the national airline with flights to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea
• Virgin Australia and Qantas both operate flights to Vanuatu. Flights from Brisbane are direct, while Sydney and Melbourne require a stopover
• Air New Zealand operates direct flights from Auckland to Vanuatu

Domestic Flights in Vanuatu

Most people arrive in Vanuatu by plane into Santo Espiritu or Port Vila. Domestic flights provide travel routes to most of the larger islands.

• Air Vanuatu is the largest domestic flight provider covering the most islands with the most frequent schedules. Their website is fairly good with lots of domestic flights and direct booking available.
• Bel Airways also has regular flights between many of the outer islands and Port Vila. Their website contains minimal information and actually looks inactive. To check flight schedules and prices you will need to call them directly to tell you route and date.
• Unity Airlines and Air Taxi Vanuatu have chartered flight services. There are many flights between the outer islands and Port Vila which you can try to board. Call them directly to inquire for more information.

It is common for domestic flights to arrive and depart early in Vanuatu. Domestic flights require check-in two hours before the scheduled departure and it is suggested to arrive up to three hours early. I have almost missed a flight from Malekula to Ambrym because of this, so take this warning quite seriously!

Domestic flights in Vanuatu have a standard 200 vatu airport tax. This is paid after check-in, and before departure.

The standard weight allowance for a domestic flight is 10kg check-in, and 5kg carry on . Excess baggage may be rejected, or have an additional charge. If you book your domestic flights in conjunction with an international Air Vanuatu flight, your baggage allowance can be increased to 23kg,

Boats in Vanuatu

Boats are a cheaper way of traveling around Vanuatu. However, use cargo boats and ferries with caution. Schedules change on an hourly basis, and can quite often be canceled due to poor weather. Be sure to follow up on your boat schedule daily to be sure of its arrival and departure.

Vanuatu Cargo , Vanuatu Ferry , and Big Sista are the largest and most comfortable boat options to travel Vanuatu.

There are small cargo boats that service the outer islands from Port Vila and Santo Espiritu. Some cargo lines include; Makila, Tinawan, Freedom, Regim and Young Bloodz.

These smaller cargo boats are much more basic than the larger boat services. Expect the main cabin to be outdoors, without seats or any sleeping provisions. Toilets are terrible, best not to have to use them. There will be no food or drinks available onboard, so come prepared. Read my full review on taking a cargo boat in Vanuatu.

The best way to check cargo boat schedules and prices is by going directly to the port and asking for the manager. If the manager is not around, talk to the locals there, but beware of getting conflicting information from different people. They are not trying to trick you, may not actually know the latest schedules either.

Traveling by Road in Vanuatu

Apart from Efate and Santo’s east coast, roads in Vanuatu are typically unsealed, poor quality and only passable by 4WD. Travel is slow, usually no faster than 30km/hr.

The cheapest way to travel is by catching a passing vehicle. You can flag down a vehicle by waving at them or whistling. A standard fare starts from 200 vatu and increases with distance. It is easy to catch vehicles on a weekday. Catching vehicles on a weekend can involve a long wait, up to a few hours, as these are church days, not working days.

If you need to get somewhere in a hurry, you can generally charter a vehicle from your guesthouse. A standard fare starts from 2000 vatu and increases with distance.

Drinking in Vanuatu

Drinking kava at a Nakamal is common for many people in Vanuatu. It is more common in rural areas, where it is used as a way to relax after a day of work.

Beer is consumed and available in many places. In rural areas is it common to find that all shops are completely sold out of Tusker over the weekend, with only wine available. Beer is generally warm, not cold, as most people do not have their own refrigerators and rely on a communal one.

There are bars and nightclubs in Port Vila, some smaller hotel bars in Santo, and generally no bars or nightclubs on the outer islands.

Vanuatu Travel Videos

Here are a few travel videos I made while in Vanuatu. Give them a like, a comment, and be sure to subscribe to the channel!

12 Amazing Things to do in Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s Incredible Blue Lagoons (Santo & Efate)

Guide to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s Unspoken Paradise

Naghol Land Diving, Vanuatu’s Craziest Tradition

Taking a Cargo Boat in Vanuatu

Ambrym Volcano Hike; Marum and Benbow (2 Days, 1 Night)

Guide to Malekula Island, Vanuatu

Uripiv Island, life without electricity, roads or internet

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Lose Yourself in Island Magic With This Vanuatu Travel Guide

If the less trodden corners of the world are what you seek, then Vanuatu will deliver. 

As far as island paradises go, Vanuatu strikes the ultimate balance between raw, untouched and under-developed adventure, private islands and resort luxury. 

Your base for this archipelago of contrasts starts in Port Vila. In this modern hub, you’ll get a feel for Vanuatu’s colonial past with hints of British and French influence that extend into fine dining restaurants and old mansions. If luxury is what you look for in South Pacific travel, Vanuatu’s top resorts are on the outskirts of Port Vila, straddling the borders of lagoons and teetering on the edge of isolated beaches. 

Each of Vanuatu’s islands brings something different to the table. No matter where you choose, one thing is for sure, with Vanuatu travel, you are in for an adventure. Live a life of luxury in Santo, where private luxury resorts act as a base for scuba diving junkies. In Tanna, you’ll find yourself on Vanuatu’s ultimate volcano tour, where bubbling magma shoots like fireworks into the sky. No matter where you go, you’ll be immersed in the many cultures of the ni-Vanuatu people. 

There’s a groundedness and distinct unpretentiousness to Vanuatu travel. A humble balance between tourist infrastructure and just letting things flow with the island way of life, brought together by the warm and welcoming nature of the people. This guide will introduce what is possible in Vanuatu.

Post Contents

Vanuatu: the Best Time to Visit

Espiritu santo, efate island adventures, surfing in vanuatu, iririki island holidays, tanna’s mount yasur, taxis and buses, poulet fish, john frum day, land diving nagol festival, lamap arts and cultural festival, things to know before you go to vanuatu, looking to travel to vanuatu.

The most popular time to visit Vanuatu is between April and October, when the temperatures sit at a comfortable 20-28 degrees Celsius. This is when most travellers choose to visit the island. 

Vanuatu’s rainy season is from November to March. The temperatures at this time are very much the same, and the rain only lasts for an hour or two every day, so this could still be a pleasant time to explore. However, this is also the prime typhoon season. 

For the best Vanuatu travel deals, you can visit in the transition periods between the seasons, around March and April or October and November. These are the shoulder seasons for Vanuatu when the weather and the prices are at their most favourable. 

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Places to Visit in Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s capital is the exception to the rule of otherwise small islands, Ni-Vanuatu villages and vast natural vistas. Port Vila is a thriving port town that acts as a gateway to Vanuatu’s rural experience. 

Port Vila opens the door to the culture of the archipelago through information centres and museums. The city itself is sandwiched between lagoons and dreamy South Pacific beaches, balanced out on Port Vila tours to the market that welcome you into local life. 

If nature is what you are here for, the city is just moments from one of Vanuatu’s most impressive and accessible waterfalls, Mere Cascades, where you can cool down in icy blue pools. 

Lose yourself in luxury in Espiritu Santo – Vanuatu’s largest island. Coconut trees, jungle and simple villages chime to the continuous sound of cicadas, only to be interrupted by fine powdered sand beaches that line up diligently next to crystalline teal-coloured waters. 

Santo, as it is known to locals, is the most exclusive island of the archipelago; however, it can also be one of the most exhilarating!

Santo is home to some of the best diving experiences in the South Pacific, as you’ll see on this 7-day Vanuatu island hopping tour . Far below the surface, between the coral reefs and tropical fish are WWII machinery and the best wreck diving in the world at SS President Coolidge. If you prefer to stay above the water, Millennium Cave is Vanuatu’s ultimate challenge as you scramble over boulders to be rewarded with a cooling river swim. 

Hot springs, ziplining, and archaeological ruins of a 12th-century chief are just some of Vanuatu’s points of interest on Efate. Outside of the bustling Port Vila, Efate is low-key, local and naturally immersive.

You’ll find all that you came to Vanuatu for on this island as you are quickly introduced to the simplicity of life here – Vanuatu travel is for those who love to go off the beaten track!

Efate is surrounded by smaller islands that will steep you in the balmy atmosphere of remote island life. Grabbing a snorkel is essential when exploring the lagoons – they are filled with vibrantly colourful sea life unlike anywhere else in the world. When you are not underwater, kicking back between the palm trees is the best way to fill your day.

Rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after destinations among the surfing community, Vanuatu is home to the breaks, barrels and hollow waves that surfers grab their boards for. 

Often overlooked for famous neighbours such as Fiji, choosing to go surfing while on a Vanuatu island holiday promises the best conditions for catching waves. Among those that are good for beginners are Forari Bay, Black Sand Beach and Epao that offer long intervals to catch waves for the first time. 

For those looking to take on a challenge with more experienced waves, Breakas, Devil’s Point and the bays around Tanna are reserved strictly for more advanced surfers. 

Vanuatu’s luxury experience peaks on Iririki Island. This private plush island is dominated by the heavenly resort of the same name. Remote and exclusive, Iririki Island sits just moments from Port Vila, yet feels worlds away. 

The island resort offers an escape into heavenly luxury with its private beach, water sports like kayaking and snorkelling, several swimming pools and bicycle hire, all of which are included in an Iririki island holiday package . Take time to kick back and enjoy island life just moments from the city!

Yasur is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is Tanna island’s highest point. Bubbling, spitting, and shooting molten lava from its peak, Yasur volcano is safe to visit most of the time – a unique opportunity to witness the superpower of nature up close. 

Finding yourself on Tanna, a volcano tour will take you hiking to see the volcano shoot magma high into the sky. Your hike will follow old lava rivers and a landscape carved by ash. The tours typically go around sunrise or sunset to add to the magic as you look out over Tanna island from Mount Yasur. 

This is truly unlike anything you have seen before as you watch the glowing embers peek out from beneath the surface and gas pockets steam.

How to Get Around Vanuatu’s Destinations

The easiest way to get between the islands of Vanuatu is to fly. When booked in advance, you can get some great deals for domestic flights with Air Vanuatu. Flying between Vanuatu’s most accessible islands, Efate and Tanna, will take around an hour. 

If you plan to stay on the main island of Efate, hiring a car will cost US$75 a day. This is the best way to see all that the island has to offer in your own time. When hiring a car, you will need to present your international driver’s license. 

Islands such as Efate and Tanna have taxi and bus services that operate throughout the day. To catch a bus, keep an eye out for one going the direction you want to go; stop and hail it by raising your hand. Taxis operate in a very similar way to buses. You’ll even find that taxis will take you with others already inside – this is a great way to meet locals!

If you wish to travel between islands, it’s best to plan ahead with one of our Local Designers in Vanuatu. The ferry services in Vanuatu operate as little as once a week between islands, depending on which island you wish to travel to. 

Where to Stay on Your Getaway in Vanuatu

As Vanuatu’s most popular and largest island, Efate has a selection of towns to stay in, including Port Vila. Vanuatu’s down-to-Earth approach to tourism is evident wherever you go in the archipelago. Efate holiday choices start in Port Vila, where low-key nightlife and wholesome activities will be perfectly suited to families and couples. 

If you are still looking for calm and quiet, Erakor and Eratap are just a short distance from the city, where lagoons and beachfront resorts connect to the city through minibus services.

The stunning, rugged island of Tanna is home to just a handful of accommodation options in the main town of Lenakel. Other options in Tanna take you deep into the jungle and to isolated beaches that are only accessible by boat for a more intimate experience that the more adventurous honeymooners often favour. 

Home to a truly authentic Vanuatu experience, Espiritu Santo holiday packages will take you to isolated resorts within reaching distance of the main town, Luganville. With very little development on the island, accommodation options on Santo are all-inclusive and are often focused on the amazing diving and snorkelling experiences that are found offshore. 

What to Eat When You Visit Vanuatu

Vanuatu’s food embraces the staples of Ni-Vanuatu, Polynesian and Melanesian cuisine and mixes it up with the cultural tapestry of the island and all the dishes that come with it; 

As Vanuatu’s national dish, you can’t leave the archipelago without sharing laplap . This creamy side is made of yams, banana, and cassava pounded and soaked in coconut cream and cooked underground. When it’s finished, it has a consistency that is similar to creamy mashed potato. 

Vanuatu is famous for its beef. The cows reared in Espiritu Santo are known for having a vitamin-rich diet that results in high-quality meat. You’ll see Santio beef in many of the restaurants in Port Vila, ranging from fine dining experiences to small steakhouses. As Vanuatu is a former French colony, you’ll find many restaurants preparing this in the French way. This is a must if you love steak!

Exploring the markets of Port Vila is a foodie haven where you’ll find the cheapest and best local food. Tuluk is a great street snack and a must-try when at the market or in the village of Mele. 

Tuluk is a cassava bun that is filled with shredded pork. It gets its distinctive flavour from being wrapped in banana leaves before it is steamed. This hearty snack shows a connection to Vanuatu’s Asian influence. 

If you understand a little French, you’ll know that poulet means chicken. This snapper fish got its name for its chicken-like texture and taste that brings about some diversity among locals. You can enjoy it in various ways that touch on the South Pacific and French styles; you’re guaranteed to find one that will suit your palette!

Festivals in Vanuatu

On Tanna, islanders come together on 16th February to pay tribute to the mythical person that is John Frum, in the hope that one day he will deliver riches to the island. This cultish celebration rooted in World War II when American troops would come through the islands.  

Locals in Vanuatu believe that wealth from foreign people is magic. By praying to the figure of John Frum, there is a chance that he will come back with goods. 

To celebrate the start of the yam harvest, tall towers made from sticks are erected to stage the original bungee jump. Local men climb to the top of the towers to do the most daring activity to secure their yam harvest’s success. 

With a vine tied around their ankle, the men throw themselves off of the top of the tower. The vines are long enough to retract the jump before they hit the ground and strong enough to act like a bungee cord. The event takes place every Saturday from April into June. 

Should you be lucky enough to be invited to the village of Lamap, you’ll get to know an ancient South Pacific culture. If you are there in August, the culture and arts festival will teach you even more about the people. 

Storytelling, dancing and traditional feasts bring everyone together to celebrate the Ni-Vanuatu culture and tradition. The main event is the pig ceremony, when the animals are exchanged as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.  

Visa : Vanuatu has visa exemption for 30 and 90 days for 120 countries. Check to see if your country is on the list before you go. When you check in for your flight, you’ll be asked to provide evidence of purchasing a return flight, make sure you have this prepared. 

Language : There are over 100 languages spread out across the islands of Vanuatu. The languages that connect people are Bislama, English and French. Bislama is a form of pigeon English that you’ll understand a little of. You’ll pick up some words as you travel. 

Currency : Vanuatu’s currency is the ni-Vanuatu vatu. At the time of writing, May 2021, 1 USD is equal to 108.24 VUV.

Culture : Despite being a British and French colony for many years, parts of Vanuatu remain far removed from modernity – there are still many different tribes here. If you do visit, listen to your guides and come with respect, an open heart and mind.

ATMs : The main cities of Port Vila and Luganville have many ATMs available, however, in smaller towns and in resorts, you may struggle to find one. Prepare your money before leaving main towns, alternatively, you’ll find that most resorts have the option to pay by card. 

With so much of Vanuatu far from the beaten paths of travel, it’s best to have someone on the ground to help out. This is where Designer Journeys comes in. 

With a range of fully customisable trips to Vanuatu , you can browse to find an experience and take it from there. Our Local Designers in Vanuatu have the knowledge and expertise to create a trip for you, so if you can’t find what you were looking for, select ‘ design your own trip ’, answer some simple questions and they will create a trip just for you!

Eilidh Wilson

Hello! I’m Eilidh, a Scottish-born writer, artist and part-time explorer who has been based in Vietnam since 2016. Very much the outdoor type, in between words, you’ll catch me seeking out adventures to be had and stories to be told. I’m a sucker for a sunset, adore the reward of finding waterfalls and a self-proclaimed beach bum. Back at the desk, I love sharing my experience and love of travel and inspiring others to reach further out into the world - especially if it’s related to food!

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Vanuatu, one of the last Covid hermit nations, to open to tourists after two years

The tourism-dependent Pacific country will reopen with almost no restrictions in July, though there are concerns about lack of airline deals

Vanuatu, one of the last Covid hermit nations, is set to open up to international travel, but there are concerns the country is not ready to restart tourism, with a lack of deals with foreign airlines posing a significant problem.

From 1 July, international tourists will be able to return to Vanuatu, a country of 300,000 people three hours from Australia, which has had some of the toughest border restrictions in the world through the pandemic .

Vanuatu closed its borders to visitors in March 2020, only allowing a capped number of residents and visa holders to return throughout this period, with strict quarantine requirements.

But from next month, the rules will relax almost completely, there will be no quarantine or arrival caps, with travellers – vaccinated or unvaccinated – allowed to enter the country if they can show a certified negative rapid antigen test taken 24 hours before arrival.

The tourism-dependent country is keen to get visitors back, particularly as nearby Pacific nations, including Fiji and Samoa, reopen to tourists. Before the pandemic, tourism made up around 40% of GDP. In April 2020, just a few months into the pandemic, the Vanuatu government estimated that 70% of tourism jobs had been lost due to Covid-19. Last year, the Vanuatu government estimated the combined economic cost of Covid-19 and Cyclone Harold at around $850m.

However, there have been concerns that the tourism industry is not ready for travel to resume, with a particular concern about the lack of deals with foreign airlines for travel into Vanuatu.

Currently travel to Vanuatu is only possible through Air Vanuatu, the country’s beleaguered national carrier, which only has two aircraft for its international operations. There are concerns that if anything were to happen to the heavily indebted national airline, Vanuatu would become a hermit nation once again.

Air Vanuatu turned on its online booking system at the end of April, with Air Vanuatu chief commercial officer Greg Wilson saying bookings for travel “are starting to look healthy”.

“We have a very strong demand for New Zealand, the majority of which are seasonal workers wanting to come home, but we are seeing very good numbers starting to come in,” Wilson said.

The national carrier will also resume its services to the national capital Port Vila, from major Australian capital cities – Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. It has also scheduled flights to New Zealand, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

The Vanuatu Tourism Office’s CEO, Adela Issachar Aru, told the Guardian that Vanuatu has been working hard to get ready for the reopening, with air connectivity a significant component of the nation’s tourism recovery strategy.

On Tuesday, Virgin Australia announced it would start direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila from March 2023, with up to five flights a week.

“Vanuatu stands ready to welcome Australians back to our shores from July 1 and the Virgin Australia scheduled flights from Brisbane to Port Vila provide even more choice for Australians answering the call of Vanuatu,” said Issachar Aru, who added that talks are also underway with Qantas and Air Cal.

She said the industry understood the importance of connectivity and that if not addressed in time, Vanuatu would lose out to other markets in the Pacific that are also reopening.

“Even though we have not yet secured the approvals of the other foreign airlines coming into the country.”

Glen Craig, the chair of the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council, says he views air connectivity as one of Vanuatu’s significant risks. The only operator currently scheduled to fly in and out of Vanuatu is the national carrier, Air Vanuatu.

The airline is heavily in debt and has repeatedly relied on government bailouts to stay in the air.

“Vanuatu is dependent on its heavily indebted national airline, which is the only airline that flies to New Zealand, one of Vanuatu’s top three markets, and to Australia, which is our main market,” Craig said. “If something went wrong with the national carrier, which is making huge losses, and the government couldn’t fund it, we would be in some difficulties.”

The opposition leader, Ralph Regenvanu, is less optimistic about the nation’s readiness.

“We have to open up, but we are definitely not ready. There are no confirmed agreements for [foreign] airlines to fly to Vanuatu. We’ve got a few weeks yet, so we can only hope something happens,” Regenvanu said.

“I think we all have our hopes up about the opening of the country for tourism, but I think we are going to be disappointed.”

Vanuatu’s closed borders meant it kept out the Delta variant of coronavirus. Omicron swept through the country earlier this year and has now been recorded in all six provinces. But hospitalisations and deaths due to Covid have been few, with just 14 recorded deaths and 10,500 cases. Just under 40% of the population is fully vaccinated.

Sophia Rodwell, acting manager at the Holiday Inn, one of the capital’s largest full-service resorts, says the industry is excited to welcome people back. She says the resort is well staffed and well-prepared.

“Like any well-executed plan, we have been working in stages,” Rodwell said.

First arrivals into the country are expected to be those visiting family and friends, with hopes for growth in wider tourism arrivals in the months ahead.

“The big change in the industry’s tourism plan was to maximise its natural assets when compared to markets such as Fiji,” Rodwell said.

“So, white sand beach? Tick. Surf? Tick. Reef? Tick, but Vanuatu also has much more. It’s got blue holes, it has the jungle, it has waterfalls, and so our positioning really leans heavily on that.”

For smaller tourism operators, such as family bungalow owners and small tour operators hard hit by more than two years of no income, the government has initiated a low-interest loans program to allow them to rebuild.

But there are concerns about the state of the tourism infrastructure across the main islands, with many considering it will take time for the tourism sector to rebuild and retrain new staff.

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Vanuatu : Tourism Insights

With a budding tourism industry, Vanuatu is the undiscovered paradise of the Asia Pacific area, and the Vanuatu Tourism Board’s main objective is to highlight the treasures of the archipelago to the international tourist market. The office’s mantra of ‘Answer the Call of Vanuatu’ reflects how the office passionately highlights the beautiful culture and the endearingly friendly locals to any travelling tourists. We speak to CEO, Adela Issacur Aru. 

Q&A WITH ADELA ISSACHUR, CEO, VANUATU TOURISM OFFICE

Can you talk us through the origins of the vanuatu tourism office and its initial vision.

Adela Issachur Aru, CEO (AIA): At its core, the office must cultivate the sustainable growth of Vanuatu’s tourism industry by executing internationally and domestically unified marketing efforts, as outlined in the Vanuatu Tourism Office Act and the 2030 Vanuatu Tourism Market Development Plan. This envisions tourism as celebrating Vanuatu’s cultural richness and natural beauty, enabling its citizens a better quality of life while enchanting its visitors across the archipelago. 

The Vanuatu Tourism Office, established under an Act of Parliament, Cap 142 of 1982, operates as a statutory entity. Governed by a dedicated board of directors, this office assumes a distinct corporate role within the Ministry of Trade and Commerce (MTC). 

Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Vanuatu?

AIA: Vanuatu should be on everyone’s list of top countries to visit because it has a unique way of forging a deep connection between its visitors, the land, and its people. For many, tourism transcends mere commercial transactions; it becomes a cultural exchange wherein strangers swiftly transform into family and lifelong friends.  

Amidst our small corner of the world, goodbyes prove to be the most challenging moments. This is because we do not just value your business; we value your friendship, and the void you leave behind resonates deeply as you depart, often leading to tearful farewells at the airport. It is a genuine sentiment that underscores the impact of these connections.  

We are a rough diamond and offer genuine smiles and authenticity in our services. We speak to your heart, and even if our communication is not clear when we serve you, it is our actions of hospitality and our cultural exchanges that will truly create a unique connection to our people, land, and natural attractions for every visitor.  

Undoubtedly, the true essence of a fulfilling stay lies in the bonds formed with our people. Thus, whether you are enjoying our stunning beaches, undertaking thrilling volcanic hikes, or immersing yourself in various adventures, you will discover a sense of belonging that rivals similar experiences you come across. We wholeheartedly urge everyone to ‘Answer the Call of Vanuatu’ and craft their treasured Vanuatu moments.

What kind of travellers does the archipelago appeal to the most?

AIA: Although Vanuatu can cater for travellers from all walks of life, the diverse destination comprises 83 islands and appeals to experience collectors and global adventure seekers the most. People who are free-spirited, active, well-travelled, and young at heart make up the experience collectors. Vanuatu appeals to people who enjoy an adventure and the many cultural opportunities to engage and connect with the people and the place.   

Global adventure seekers, on the other hand, travel in search of the remote locations and off-the-beaten-track adventures that Vanuatu is known for. Global adventure seekers are more likely to travel to undiscovered places and actively seek challenges that focus on nature, cultural immersion, and thrill-seeking.  

This is why Vanuatu is appealing to both these two market segments because we offer the experiences they are looking for in finding fulfilment in life adventures and travel. 

How has the tourism office worked towards putting Vanuatu on the map for potential visitors?

AIA: Firstly, we have repositioned Vanuatu in the marketplace as an adventure destination because it is truly a raw diamond that you must keep uncovering and connecting to appreciate every part of it.  

We have appointed market representatives in our key tourism source markets of Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. We have also recently appointed a part-time market coordinator in the US, targeting Los Angeles and San Francisco since diving is a key niche market for our destination.  

We run dedicated campaigns in each market throughout the year to reach out to the consumers, as well as work with other partners so that we can target specific periods of travel for visitors to book their holidays in advance.

What is Vanuatu’s most underrated attraction?

AIA: Vanuatu has so many underrated attractions that it would be hard to name them all, but I would say that spending some time up in Vanuatu’s northern or southernmost provinces will allow a traveller to find a higher appreciation for life. If I were to name a specific underrated attraction, it would be Rah Island and the rock of Rah, where visitors can see the sleeping mountain, walk across the beautiful Dori Lagoon, witness the stunning snake dance, and eat their hearts out to the feast of seafood that the province of Torba is known for. 

How have you integrated traditional Vanuatu culture into the tourism experience?

AIA: Vanuatu’s culture has always been a part of the tourism experience and one of the country’s main attractions. It is deeply embedded in our product offerings, which commence with the welcomes at the airport and cruise arrival ports and continue throughout the accommodation and the various places you visit whilst on holiday. As such, travellers soon see and experience that we are shy but friendly. Once you speak to us and get to know us, we will open up, share our way of life with you, and tell you how happy and satisfied we are with what we have.  

Our culture and traditions do not need to be integrated into the tourist experience because it is a part of everything we are and do, so naturally, it becomes a part of the tourist experience. At the Vanuatu Tourism Office, we only tell the story of who and what we are whilst showcasing and highlighting the places that all travellers should visit to create an authentic Vanuatu experience.

How is it important for Vanuatu to offer socially responsible tourism experiences that benefit the local communities?

AIA: Being a country that is made of islands that are both urban and geographically remote, it is essential that we provide socially responsible tourism experiences. Vanuatu cares for its guests by ensuring that they care about our environment and people, and respect our customs and cultures.  

The government has banned single-use plastic; therefore, we encourage all visitors to purchase a local basket for their shopping and memorabilia when moving around. Some of these local baskets are created by community producers in the islands, so by purchasing them, tourists are supporting a family income from afar.  

Many of our tourism businesses are small operators scattered across the country that rely on tourism for their livelihoods. Business and community-run events, such as canoe race festivals, fish harvesting events, volcano experiences, bush trekking, top rock lookouts, custom villages, and more, bring direct income back to the business community. This helps to pay for school fees, health centres, and community halls that can become a cyclone shelter during bad weather and a place of learning for the young and old.  

Vanuatu impedes its offering to provide the best it can for any socially responsible traveller to experience the islands. This lets visitors create their own moments, but also know that they are contributing deeper to our purpose than just a holiday. 

Finally, what makes 2023 the year to visit Vanuatu?

AIA: 2023 has allowed people worldwide to be more confident in their travel and heightened the need to regain lost time. Similarly, tourism businesses in Vanuatu have been missing the opportunity to welcome back visitors and show off their beautiful islands, culture, people, and business services. Still, most importantly, it is about reconnecting with travellers. Since we reopened in July 2022, this is definitely the year to revisit Vanuatu as we are rebuilding, reconnecting, and reestablishing ourselves, so your visit will help us recover and offer you genuine Vanuatu moments.

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Known for its gorgeously pristine coastline and laid-back feel, the Vanuatu Archipelago is one of the premier vacation destinations in the South Pacific Ocean region. Although Vanuatu is best-known as the destination for the 9th season of the long-running TV series, Survivor back in 2009, its incredible beaches, weather, and secluded islands make it a desirable tropical paradise.

Welcoming and friendly, travellers to the islands always feel instantly at home, regardless of which of the islands that make up Vanuatu they decide to visit. Whether it’s Efate Island, Vanuatu’s busiest and most-vibrant island, or Mavea Island, the least-populated island, there’s a place and pace for all types of travellers. But, of course, most visitors will spend some time in Port Vila, the country’s capital and central hub.

Affordable and emerging as a truly great holiday destination, Vanuatu’s proximity to Australia and New Zealand means that reaching the country is a breeze, and neighbouring Fiji, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands are possible day-trip destinations to explore. So experience the great tradition and spirit of the Vanuatu people and enjoy this jewel of the South Pacific.

Vanuatu Facts

Is vanuatu safe, vanuatu currency, travel advice, getting there, best time of year to visit vanuatu, vanuatu culture, vanuatu food, where to stay, 1- visit a vanuatu volcano, 2- explore nanda and matevulu blue holes, 3- discover mele cascades waterfalls, 4- go surfing, 5- go diving, 6- traverse the treetop canopy zipline, 7- see the naghol land diving, 8- visit hideaway island, 9- visit the national museum of vanuatu, 10- explore port vila’s market, 11- relax on vanuatu’s champagne beach.

• Mt. Yasur Volcano full-day tour – including the Blue Cave
• Full Day Santo Blue Hole, Champagne Beach, Million Dollar Point and Port Olry Tour – see the best of nature.
• Full Day Vanuatu Cultural, Blue Lagoon and Rarru Rentapao Tour – a cultural adventure from Port Vila.

Vanuatu, which means ‘our land forever’, is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It has 13 main islands and a string of smaller islands that stretch for 650 km (400 miles).

Capital: Port Vila

National languages: Bislama, a Melanesian pidgin English, French and English. Other languages spoken include over 100 Melanesian languages.

People: ni-Vanuatu (Melanesian), Polynesian, European, Micronesian, Vietnamese and Chinese.

Islands of Vanuatu: 

• Torres Islands (Hiu, Loh, Tegua, Linua, Metoma and Toga)
• Banks Islands (Vanua Lava, Mota, Santa Maria (Gaua), Mota Lava)
• Espiritu Santo
• Maewo (Aurora)
• Efate (Sandwich)

Travel To Vanuatu

Vanuatu is an excellent destination for international travellers. The country allows visa-free travel to citizens of more than 120 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and the European Union.

The country has a low level of crime.

Petty theft is the most common problem, so keeping any valuables you might have safe and out of sight is best.

Always lock your room at night or when you’re exploring the islands and inform the local authorities if anything goes missing.

As most crimes committed are opportunistic, travellers should be safe as long as they take precautions and stay vigilant while out and about.

Women travelling solo should avoid walking alone at night, particularly in remote areas, as more violent criminal acts still happen even if they are uncommon.

Most resorts and hotels accept major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard, and you can find ATMs on the main boulevard in Port Vila.

Money exchange services are also available on the main street of Port Vila, with most branches open Monday to Friday.

The National Bank of Vanuatu Airport office is available for all guests arriving by air to make exchanging to Vanuatu’s currency, the Vatu, quick and easy.

One bit of travel advice for international travellers is that tipping is frowned upon throughout the country’s islands, as it conflicts with the traditional customs of Vanuatu’s inhabitants.

Visitors should also avoid wearing overly revealing clothes as much as possible since Vanuatu’s social values are quite conservative. This is travel advice that you should not ignore.

Vaccination against dengue fever and other tropical diseases is highly recommended for visiting, especially during the humid rainy season.

You should keep in mind there’s a risk of potentially contracting malaria on some islands and most travel advice says it’s best to ensure you’re covered with comprehensive travel insurance in case of illness, theft, cancellations or injury.

When choosing a travel insurance policy, check if the policy includes adventure activities and volcano and ash cloud cover.

Health services are somewhat limited. Basic medical facilities are available for routine treatments or simple medical services, however, medical treatment may require an immediate cash payment.

So do check that your policy covers medical evacuation to New Zealand or Australia if needed. You may require medical evacuation if you are seriously injured and for Australians, the Australian Government offers 24-hour emergency consular assistance.

If you think you’ll be driving, check that your travel insurance will cover you for driving on the right side of the road and follow the road rules put out by the local authorities.

Book your arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel in advance .

Several airlines fly to Port Vila from overseas, including Air Vanuatu and Virgin Australia. Air Vanuatu flies domestically between islands and is the fastest way to travel around the country besides inter-island boats.

Weather In Vanuatu

Blessed with a tropical climate that provides year-round good weather, this is a fantastic travel destination no matter when you decide to visit.

Conditions are at their best between April and October when temperatures typically range anywhere from 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F).

Vanuatu’s rainy season, which takes place between November and March every year, still allows for swimming, surfing and many other activities not severely impacted by wet weather conditions.

The temperature usually ranges anywhere between 22°C and 28°C (72°F to 82°F) during this period.

It brings very humid and considerably warmer weather patterns, which can sometimes feel unbearable to visitors not used to these conditions.

Given Vanuatu’s incredible weather, no trip will be spoiled due to bad conditions, however, it’s still best to make sure no activities you plan on doing are impacted too severely during your trip to the country.

The best time of the year to travel to Vanuatu depends on individual preferences, who you are travelling with, and what activities you plan to do on the islands.

Some people can find the wet and humid conditions overbearing, while others prefer it.

So it’s up to the traveller to decide when to visit Vanuatu since the weather won’t impact most activities or transportation arrangements.

As most people prefer to visit Vanuatu’s islands during the milder months between April and October, some of Vanuatu’s islands can get quite busy with tourists.

Visiting during this time of year is an ever-increasing issue on many islands, as some are small and cannot accommodate the constantly rising tourism population.

To relax away from crowds, it’s probably best to avoid the Efate tourist trap during holidays and venture toward the less-visited outer islands of Vanuatu.

Vanuatu’s peak season sees many tourists flock to the country, usually during Australian school holidays.

Most international visitors come from nearby Australia and the weather’s best during this time.

Resorts and hotels in Vanuatu often charge more during this time of year.

Many of the most popular places to stay are fully booked well in advance, so you’ll pay significantly more when visiting Vanuatu during the Australian school holidays.

Despite the influx of holiday goers and the steeper prices between April and October, Vanuatu’s islands come to life during the busy months, making it well worth visiting to experience the country’s energy and mingle with travellers from all over the world when Vanuatu’s at its liveliest.

The incredible views and world-class resorts are not the only reason to add Vanuatu to your travel list.

Vanuatu’s islands are brimming with rich cultures and traditions for travellers to immerse themselves in and learn more about.

Vanuatu’s population is made up of the Ni-Vanuatu natives as well as communities of Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese and Chinese ex-pats, all living on the islands permanently.

Vanuatu has no official written language; instead, the country’s native inhabitants emphasise storytelling and traditional dances to communicate with each other.

Art also plays a considerable role throughout all Pacific Island nations, including Vanuatu, where masks and tattoos form a crucial part in rituals and celebrations throughout the country.

The Ni-Vanuatu culture contains many mythical legends similar to the Maori or Aboriginal stories told for centuries throughout New Zealand and Australia, making Vanuatu a haven for those interested in the region’s past.

Vanuatu is probably best known for its famous traditional drink called Kava, a mainstay in Vanuatu’s native culture for centuries and of incredible importance to the people of Vanuatu.

Kava is made by cutting and chewing the Kava plant, after which it gets spat into a bowl to be squeezed into a liquid.

It has the Ni-Vanuatu drink a sleep-inducing, almost hypnotic effect and the mixture after a hard day’s work to help them relax.

For more South Pacific experiences read:

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Vanuatu’s culinary scene is much like everything else, extremely diverse and culturally significant.

Vanuatu’s traditional cuisine, called ‘aelan kakae’ in Bislama, typically includes fish, fruit and vegetables such as taro and yams in the majority of its dishes.

Most island families grow their food in their gardens, making sure to harvest enough food for their whole family.

Fruit such as papayas, pineapples and mangoes are abundant throughout the islands, and many of the country’s traditional dishes use coconut milk and cream as key ingredients.

The majority of the country’s traditional dishes are either boiled, steamed, or cooked on hot stones and has been done so for generations.

Incredibly diverse thanks to the many outside influences Vanuatu’s had throughout the country’s history, Vanuatu’s food stands out among other South Pacific nations as both traditional and cosmopolitan.

The country’s national dish, lap lap, is a pudding-like meal consisting of yams, bananas, taro or manioc, coconut milk and salt, covered in banana leaves and baked underneath piping hot volcanic rocks.

Every island throughout Vanuatu has its method of making lap lap, with each adding different ingredients to their dish, making no two islands’ lap lap the same.

Simboro is also a very popular dish in Vanuatu, combining bananas, yam, taro, manioc or flour and coconut milk rolled up in banana leaves and steamed similarly to lap lap.

Naturally, seafood has always been a staple throughout Vanuatu’s history since virtually all inhabitants live near the coast or a river.

Shellfish and both freshwater and seawater fish make up a large portion of a typical Vanuatu diet.

Vanuatu Hotels

Choosing where to stay in Vanuatu can be tough as there are many different islands to choose from.

Some are more geared toward families, while some cater toward honeymooners, so choosing where to stay in Vanuatu depends on personal preference and the nature of your visit to Vanuatu.

With world-class resorts littered all over the country’s many islands, there’s no shortage of luxurious amenities and million-dollar views for guests to indulge in and relax if they’re willing to look past the steep prices during peak season.

For a more authentic and traditional Vanuatu experience, try one of the many guesthouses and Airbnb’s run by Vanuatu locals that offer excellent accommodation and the opportunity to truly immerse yourself into typical Vanuatu life for a fraction of the price of a typical five-star resort.

Thanks to the reasonably priced transportation services operating between the islands, Vanuatu’s islands are just a short hop away.

Holiday goers can quickly travel to and from any country’s islands on a day trip.

This allows travellers to stay wherever they want during their trip to Vanuatu and not be limited to overpriced resorts on the busier islands.

Vanuatu’s small and compact capital, Port Vila, overlooks a scenic bay littered with islands and atolls varying in size and offers a diverse range of places to stay.

Fresh produce and craft markets and most of Vanuatu’s tourist attractions, including Vanuatu’s only mall, are located along Port Vila’s main street and the picturesque seaside pathway with gorgeous ocean views.

You can find many friendly villages and excellent beaches near Port Vila around the main island of Efate, including a few resorts in places like Pango, Eratap, Erakor and Havannah.

See the latest prices fo r hotels in Efate here.

Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island and one of the country’s least-developed islands, is located northwest of Efate.

The island mainly attracts thrill-seekers and those looking to escape into nature.

It’s a fantastic destination for those seeking seclusion as Espiritu Santo doesn’t get as many visitors as nearby Efate Island and is one of the few islands in Vanuatu still relatively untouched by large-scale developments.

See the latest prices for hotels in Espiritu Santo here .

Just south of Espiritu Santo Island, Tanna Island is home to a fully accessible active volcano, sublime hot springs, rainforests, and enchanting waterfalls that astound visitors with its raw beauty.

Other islands with active volcanoes on Ambae, Gaua, Ambrym, Vanua Lava and Lopevi.

The island is a haven for those looking for a more rugged adventure exploring the volcano as part of a tour or for anyone wanting to stroll along the island’s endless amounts of idyllic beaches, all fit to be called “paradise”.

Tanna Island perfectly blends the remoteness of Espiritu Santo with the resorts and activities found on some of the more developed islands, making it ideal for those wanting a bit of both worlds.

See the latest prices for hotels on Tanna Island here.

11 Things To Do In Vanuatu

From Port Vila to the remote parts of the country, there’s no shortage of exciting activities and excursions for travellers to enjoy on Vanuatu’s islands.

Each island offers something unique, whether a guided tour of an active volcano or diving among the wreckage of a US Navy ship dating back to World War II that was accidentally sunk in 1942.

Not in the mood to work up a sweat during your vacation? No problem. Vanuatu’s beaches are some of the best in the world and, scattered all over the country’s islands, finding a great beach with pristine white sand and turquoise water isn’t hard to find. Or treat yourself to a volcanic spa and massage .

If you’re finished lounging around on Vanuatu’s beaches, prepare to be entertained by the incredible collection of restaurants throughout Vanuatu, serving up all sorts of unique flavours and delicacies.

Port Vila is where you’ll find shops and local markets that sell all sorts of knickknacks and souvenirs, as well as intricately crafted items made by hand to remember your trip to the country.

There certainly is something for everyone to do and see in Vanuatu. Here are some of the most exciting sights, events, activities and tours on offer throughout Vanuatu’s islands that will make your stay here unforgettable.

Mount Yasur, located on Vanuatu’s Tanna Island, is one of Vanuatu’s most iconic landmarks and one of the most famous of several active volcanoes.

The active volcano reaching 361 m in height is on the southeast part of the island and runs along the coast close to Sulphur Bay.

Mount Yasur has been erupting non-stop ever since Captain Cook first spotted the volcano in 1774.

Despite this, Mount Yasur is safe to approach, with guided tours of the volcano available to travellers brave enough to hike the 15-minute trail to the volcano’s 400m (1312 ft) broad summit.

Mount Yasur is an awe-inspiring sight to see and regularly erupts with tiny, powerful explosions from its peak.

It’s one of Vanuatu’s must-visit sites and the country’s most accessible active volcano, so it should not be missed during any trip there but do make sure to follow the advice of local authorities when visiting an active volcano.

Other adventure tours you may like are:

• Vanuatu Buggy Adventure Tour – with Yumi Tours
• Discovery Bush Walk from Port Vila

The Nanda and Matevulu Blue Holes are popular natural attractions on Vanuatu’s Espiritu Santo Island.

Part of an extensive collection of similar pools located in holes in the ground, these striking natural swimming ponds are formed by freshwater springs that rise through the holes’ limestone bottom, filling the holes with bright blue water so vivid it looks like it’s glowing.

The holes are only accessible thanks to the generous native families whose land the holes are located on, allowing visitors to access these incredible natural attractions.

It’s also these families after which the Nanda Blue Hole was named.

It’s well worth a visit as it’s unlike anywhere else in the world that must be seen up close to believe.

Check out this Full Day Santo Blue Hole, Champagne Beach, Million Dollar Point and Port Olry Tour .

The Mele Cascades Waterfalls are a spectacular natural attraction best known for their vivid blue waters and gorgeous vistas.

The falls are on the main island of Efate, roughly 10km (6.2 mi) or a 10 to 15-minute drive from Port Vila.

Guided tours are available, but you can also explore the waterfalls independently.

Easily accessible and very close to Vanuatu’s capital, Mele Cascades Waterfalls is a great place to visit without travelling far to reach it.

Vanuatu’s surfing scene is not quite on par with famous sites in nearby Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga.

Still, with considerably fewer crowds and much lower cost, Vanuatu is an excellent place for surfing in a more relaxed, laid-back setting.

Vanuatu’s surf, like the Maldives, does not draw huge waves, but it does provide some excellent surf places right on your doorstep in a lovely paradise atmosphere.

Surfing is one of the best-kept secrets in the South Pacific, with decent swells that pound the shallow reefs around Vanuatu’s islands, creating ideal surfing conditions for beginners and experienced surfers alike.

Love the water? Find out how you can explore here:

• Small-Group River Kayaking Tour from Port Vila
• Coongoola Full-Day Cruise Including Moso Island and Snorkeling

The country has incredible diving spots, crystal clear blue waters and stunning natural reefs that provide dive spots and attractions for divers of all ability levels.

Diving activities are run by experienced operators no more than a 30-minute drive from Port Vila.

One of the most popular of Vanuatu’s diving sites is the President Coolidge Dive off the island of Espiritu Santo.

The site houses a WWII troop ship once used as a luxury ocean liner which was sunk accidentally by a mine in 1942.

The ship’s remnants now provide a unique diving spot to explore with clean, tranquil seas perfect for observing fish and coral.

With a maximum depth anywhere between 20 and 70 m (66 and 230 ft), it’s certainly not a dive for beginners, but it makes for a truly memorable experience for those skilled enough to dive to the bottom.

Those not scared of heights will enjoy the Treetop Canopy Zipline, an adrenaline-fueled, 1km (0.62 mi) circuit that winds through the jungle landscape of Efate Island.

The Vanuatu Jungle – The Big Zipline Trek Tour from Port Vila includes six ziplines and two suspension bridges across the circuit, which takes approximately three hours to complete.

All riders wear a safety harness during the trip, and the wire ropes will securely transport riders from platform to platform directly through the forest canopy.

With panoramic views of Mele Bay and some other beautiful islands, gliding along the Treetop Canopy Zipline promises to be the highlight of any trip to Efate.

It is well worth a visit when on the island.

Travel to Vanuatu’s Pentecost Island between April and May, and you might see something really unique.

Every year during this time, residents on Pentecost Island build enormous wooden towers, climb to the top of the tower and leap off with only two vines tied to their ankles to keep them from hitting the ground.

The goal of this harrowing event is to get as close to the ground as possible without hitting it, which means that even the slightest miscalculation in determining the length of the vines could result in serious injuries.

The reason tourists rarely see this event is that only a small number of visitors are allowed to observe the spectacle every year.

This traditional event has become one of the most sought-after attractions and, if you’re allowed to witness it, will no doubt leave you speechless.

Hideaway Island, situated roughly 100m (328 ft) off the coast of Mele Beach , Hideaway Island is anything but hidden.

It’s one of Port Vila’s most popular sites for diving, snorkelling, or simply stopping for lunch at the island’s popular resort (access to the resort’s marine park is open for non-guests until 4 pm).

A free ferry departs for the island from Mele Beach regularly, and once on the island, plenty of activities are available to enjoy without needing to book in at the resort.

Guests can swim and snorkel in the island’s protected marine sanctuary, participate in a diving tour, or mail a waterproof postcard from the world’s first underwater post office.

This splendid museum, housed in a tall traditional building opposite the Vanuatu parliament, offers an incredibly well-detailed collection of traditional artefacts such as a tam-tam (a slit drum or gong), outrigger canoes, ceremonial headdresses, and Lapita and Wusi ceramics on display.

An amazing photography exhibit covers the discovery of Chief Roi Mata’s burial place, a mighty 17th-century Melanesian chief.

Demonstrations of traditional Vanuatu instruments and sand drawings are also included in the one-hour guided tours of the museum.

The National Museum of Vanuatu is a great place for travellers to discover and explore the rich history of the country and the South Pacific region as a whole.

From Monday morning through to Saturday afternoon, visitors can stroll around Port Vila’s colourful and vibrant waterfront market.

The covered market, also known as the Mama’s Market, is open all day, with women from all over the country selling their fruits and vegetables in traditional island clothes.

There’s also a fish market nearby selling fresh fish caught daily from all over the islands.

The outdoor market is a great place to hunt for fruit and vegetables native to Vanuatu’s islands.

Check out these tours:

• Full-Day Vanuatu Round Island Tour from Port Vila
• Port Vila Full Day Tour – Experience the Real Vanuatu

Perhaps the best attractions in Vanuatu are the country’s incredible and pristine beaches scattered around the island nation.

Champagne Beach, one of the South Pacific’s best and most iconic beaches, is on Espiritu Santo Island’s southern tip.

Flanked by palm trees and beachside cafes, this pearly white beach with its turquoise water perfectly embodies what paradise must be, and a visit to Vanuatu is not complete without relaxing on the country’s best beach.

This tour will take you there.

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• Industry News

Vanuatu Tourism: Data And Insights Are Crucial Elements Of Decision-Making

Data and insights are crucial elements of the decision-making and the team at the Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) is introducing new initiatives to gather data and insights in strengthening this area for the tourism and hospitality industry. 

The Office is working in collaboration with the Vanuatu National Statistics Office (VNSO), Department of Tourism (DoT), Airports Vanuatu Ltd (AVL) and the Vanuatu Skills Partnership (VSP) to coordinate and deliver a consumer feedbacks, insights and data to assist the industry, government and stakeholders on what has been the impact of the arrival of the visitors since July 2022 into the country. 

With August and September 2022 data still to be processed & verified, the group has shared July statistics showing that out of the 3,501 visitors in July alone, 80% of the visitors travelled to Vanuatu for the purpose of Holiday with 55% of the visitors coming from Australia; 13% from New Zealand; 13% from Europe; 8% from Asia and other Pacific countries; and finally 5% from New Caledonia and 2% from North America. 

Source: Vanuatu National Statistics Office

It is noted that the delay in the issuance of monthly statistics, since the reopening of the borders on 01 July 2022, have been a point of concern, however, resources are being mobilized to properly equip VNSO for future updates.  For more information on the statistic updates: https://vnso.gov.vu/index.php/en/statistics-by-topic/tourism

Atama Tamanilo

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With its stunning natural scenery and friendly locals, Vanuatu is the perfect destination for travellers looking for an unforgettable adventure. Travel Guides showcases the best of what Vanuatu has to offer, providing viewers with a firsthand look at the many wonders of our beautiful island nation.

Vanuatu Moments are waiting for you, Answer the call and experience the magic of our island paradise just like the Travel Guides did.

REASONS TO VISIT VANUATU

1. discover untouched beauty, 2. enjoy a perfect family holiday, 3. rediscover your passions, 4. discover ancient cultures, 5. revitalise your spirit, 6. enjoy an extraordinary adventure.

Poppys on the Lagoon

BOOK NOW and get 40% OFF when you stay for 2 or more nights!

• Complementary daily breakfast
• Complimentary wifi in the dining and pool areas
• Welcome drink on arrival

Terms and Conditions:

• Valid new bookings only
• Discounts apply to accommodation rates only (excluding Tourism Levy)
• Minimum stay 2 nights
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Turtle Bay Lodge

BOOK NOW your Stay & Dive with Turtle Bay Lodge for only AUD$2115 for 2 people.

Inclusions:

7 Nights Stay at Turtle Bay Lodge Ocean View Room

Contintinal Breakfast

Airport Transfers

Complimentary 5000VT Salty Dog Bar and Restro

Double Dive Day (excluding Equipment) for Two People or Discover Scuba Diver for 2 People

One Day Explore the Stunning East Coast of Santo Tour  for Two people  Champagne Beach, Port Orly and Nanda Blue Holes (Excludes Customs Fees)

BOOK NOW your Stay & Explore Turtle Bay Lodge for only AUD$2300 for 2 people.

Riri River float and Snorkel Tour

One Day Explore the Stunning East Coast of Santo Tour Champagne Beach, Port Orly and Nanda Blue Holes (Excludes Customs Fees)

Sales: from the 26th December 2023 to 31st March 2024

Travel: from 1st January 2024 to 30th May 2024

Matevulu Lodge - Discovery Package

Book Now - Discover Package!!

Nestled amidst swaying coconut trees and two unique Blueholes along the luxuriant East Coast of Espiritu Santo, Matevulu Lodge is the perfect escape to reconnect with nature. The Ocean lulling you to sleep and sunrise welcoming you in the morning.

• 3 nights beachfront Premium bungalow
• Continental breakfast
• 1 tour for 2 people: choose between horse riding OR snorkel & dugong spotting 
• Tours transfers

Once tours are confirmed, a 50% deposit will be required. Further terms and conditions apply.

Valid until 3oth June 2024

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Explore Our Unique Islands

Air Vanuatu can fly you to all our beautiful islands, so get ready to be fascinated as you explore by hovering your mouse over an island to begin.

Efate & Port Vila

The capital, Port Vila, located 10 minutes from one of Vanuatu's two international airports, is set around a magnificent natural harbour offering stunning views of Iririki and Ifira islands, and a look out all the way to Malapoa Point.

The islands of Torres are Vanuatu's far northern islands lying west to neighboring Solomon Islands. The islands are lightly populated with an abundance of natural resources, white sand beaches, surf, and some of the most friendly locals you will ever meet.

• Banks Islands

The Banks islands is an adventure of its own offering visitors eco adventures from hard treks, to fishing trips and snorkeling, and ]visiting cultural villages. You can also join in with the water music ladies and play music on the water. There's much to see and do in the Banks islands.

• Espiritu Santo

Welcome to Espiritu Santo. With its amazing blue holes, caves, world renowned diving at the SS Coolidge, and powdery white sandy beaches, it's a little known paradise waiting to be discovered.

The rugged, long, narrow island of waterfalls flows with creeks and rivers - perfect for soft adventure seekers. Asanvari Bay is most idyllic, popular with yachts May to October. You will love the waterfalls, snorkeling, diving, and picturesque views of Pentecost, Ambrym, Paama, Malekula and Malo on a clear day.

Trekkers will love Lake Manaro which is one of 3 volcanic crater lakes in different shades of blue. Manaro in particular is the largest lake, turquoise-blue in colour, and acidic. Hikers trek through dense forest for 2 days to get to the lake and return.

You can't miss the Pentecost land diving which happens from April to June, every year. Pentecost also offers a variety of excursions to visitors seeking cultural experiences including custom village tours, as well as soft adventures such as hikes, snorkeling, outrigger canoe paddling, visiting historical sites and land marks.

Tourists are attracted by Ambrym's unique features: the two twin active volcanoes, Marum and Benbow, the tropical vegetation, and the customs of the local villagers. Accommodations are melanesian traditional bungalows, with very basic amenities, and welcoming hosts ready to make you feel at home.

Malekula is the second largest island and the most diverse, culturally and linguistically, with over thirty distinct languages spoken. Some of the best custom dances come from the island. The names given to the primary cultural groups are Small Nambas and Big Nambas.

Epi is a peaceful island with beautiful white sandy coves, many white and some black sand beaches, and inshore reefs. The interior is the rugged terrain of recent volcanic activity covered with lush rainforest. There are several small lakes where you can fish and swim and may get a chance to see wild birds, wild pigs and cows.

The island is part of the Vanuatu rain forests ecoregion, within the East Melanesian Islands biogeographic region. Dense evergreen forest covers nearly three-quarters of the island on the windward (eastern) side, while a combination of grassland and woodland occupies the north-west. Cloud forests exist at higher elevations. Much of the vegetation on the island is secondary growth.

There is a lot to see and do in Tanna. The drawcard of it all is Mount Yasur volcano, the world’s largest and most accessible active volcano and if you want to swim in underwater caves, snorkel on some of the best coral in the South Pacific, visit untouched waterfalls, see the islands wild horses and experience an ancient culture that remains largely unchanged to this day, allow time to explore Tanna.

If planning a private and quiet retreat to Mystery Island then check the cruise ship itineraries with the Vanuatu Tourism Office in Port Vila before setting out.

• Efate & Port Vila

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

British tourist drowns in front of his wife after being swept away on beach

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A British man has drowned on a beach in India after going for a swim.

He and his wife were regular visitors to Goa in the west of the country, it was reported in local media.

The man, 72, was caught in a strong current and pulled back to the beach by lifeguards on jetskis.

But although he was given CPR at Talpona beach in Canacona on Friday, he could not be saved.

Police registered an ‘unnatural’ death and an autopsy was requested.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who died in India and are in touch with the local authorities.’ 

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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