vanuatu popular tourist attractions

A first-timer’s guide to Vanuatu

May 30, 2024 • 7 min read

Champagne Beach in Vanuatu, said to be one of the South Pacific's finest © Peter Unger / Getty Images

Jungle-cloaked islands, rich kastom (traditional) cultures, blockbuster scuba diving and a remarkably accessible active volcano are just a small part of the allure of  Vanuatu , an 80-plus island archipelago made for adventure.

With only a fraction of visitors to Vanuatu venturing beyond the cruise ship port and family-friendly resorts of the capital  Port Vila ("Vila" to locals), this sparsely developed South Pacific nation offers more intrepid travelers the now-rare opportunity to experience natural attractions and cultural experiences untouched by mass tourism. Slip on your swimwear and dive in.

When should I go to Vanuatu?

Vanuatu’s dry season, from late April to September, is the most popular time to visit, but with just 45,000 tourist arrivals per year, even the main island of Efate doesn’t feel crowded during the high season. Budget travelers may uncover more accommodation deals in the October-to-March low (wet) season, with trade-offs including higher humidity and an increased risk of tropical storms and cyclones. Increased rainfall during the wet season can also impact underwater visibility in some destinations, yet diving is generally good year-round across the archipelago.

Most of Vanuatu’s festivals are held during the dry season. Visit Pentecost Island on a Saturday between April and June to take in the ancient naghol (land diving) ritual that inspired modern bungee jumping; the Maskelyne Islands in July for the two-day Maskelyne Canoe Race and Arts Festival; and Ambrym Island, also in July, for the Lylywy Cultural Festival showcasing Vanuatu’s unique Rom dance.

How much time should I spend in Vanuatu?

For travelers seeking an easy family holiday or budget-friendly getaway, a week away (including flights) at a Port Vila area resort should fit the bill. For travelers keen to venture beyond Efate, allow around nine days plus international flights for a relaxed two-island itinerary, especially if you plan on doing some diving, or two-to-three weeks to visit additional islands.

Is it easy to get in and around Vanuatu?

The main international gateway to Vanuatu is Bauerfield International Airport on Efate, 5km (0.6 miles) outside of Port Vila. The domestic terminal is adjacent to the international terminal. Airlines with direct flights to Vanuatu include Aircalin , Fiji Airways , Solomon Airlines and Virgin Australia .

Taxis service the airport route, and minibuses operate in Port Vila. There’s no fixed schedule or routes – tell the driver where you want to go and they’ll let you know when you get there. Buses also run in Luganville on Espiritu Santo island , on northeast Malekula Island , and on Tanna Island. Central Port Vila and central Luganville are also easy to get around on foot.

It’s possible to travel between some of Vanuatu’s larger islands by ferry, but the journeys can be long and rough, and services can be unreliable, prompting most visitors to take domestic flights instead.

Top things to do in Vanuatu

• Strap on a dive tank and explore the reefs and wrecks of Efate, Espiritu Santo, Tanna and beyond. The immense wreck of the SS President Coolidge off Espiritu Santo is widely considered to be one of the world’s best wreck dives, while Tanna’s twin set of blue holes and ethereal Blue Cave are also accessible to snorkelers.
• Perch on the rim of Tanna’s Yasur volcano at sunset as lava spews up from the crater below.
• Spend a day exploring Efate’s collection of dreamy natural pools and waterfalls including the Blue Lagoon, Mele Cascades and Lololima Falls, or dive into the handful of idyllic blue holes of Espiritu Santo.
• Travel to Pentecost Island to watch "land divers" jump off wooden towers up to 30m (100ft) high, with tree vines wrapped around their ankles. 
• Experience the thrill of swimming alongside wild dugongs in Gapsard Bay on south Malekula Island.
• Be mesmerized by the UNESCO-listed tradition of sand-drawing, which can be observed at the National Museum of Vanuatu in Port Vila.

My favorite thing to do in Vanuatu

As an adventurous traveler and a keen scuba diver, Tanna Island ticks all the boxes for me. I love that you can spend a morning exploring the beautiful and blissfully crowd-free reefs on this remote island with Volcano Island Divers (attached to White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa, it’s Tanna’s only dive center), then head out on a bumpy afternoon road trip to the Yasur volcano to feel it rumble beneath your feet before it belches fountains of lava. There’s also a fun hike to a serene waterfall, kastom villages to visit, and some of Vanuatu’s best sunsets to savor. 

How much money do I need for Vanuatu?

You can buy a cup of kava for as little as VT100 (less than US$1), but expect prices for accommodation, restaurant meals and scuba diving to be similar to those in more developed Oceania nations such as Australia. Factor in domestic flight costs for multi-island itineraries.

Cash remains king throughout Vanuatu, especially beyond the resorts of Port Vila, so be sure to stock up with plenty of vatu at the airport or in Port Vila before traveling to outer islands where ATMs and currency exchange services are harder to find. For domestic flights, a provincial departure tax of VT200 is not included in tickets and must be paid at the airport prior to departure. Tipping is not customary.

Average costs include:

• Basic room for two: VT5000–8000
• Double room at a resort: VT17,000–24,000
• Lunch at a local market: VT500–600
• Main meal at a restaurant: VT3000–4500
• Bottle of beer at a bar: VT500
• Scuba dive: VT10,000
• Bus ride in Port Vila: VT150
• Taxi ride in Port Vila: VT500
• Taxi from international airport to Port Vila: VT2000

Pack a well-stocked first aid kit

You’ll find pharmacies, a hospital and Vanuatu’s only hyperbaric chamber (to treat scuba divers with decompression sickness) in Port Vila, but with medical services in much shorter supply beyond the capital, it pays to be prepared to treat minor travel health issues. A stash of adhesive bandages, wound dressings, antiseptic wipes and antibiotic ointment is useful for stemming infections from cuts and scrapes. Consult a travel health doctor about other medications worth bringing – they may recommend a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to help fight off a bout of traveler's diarrhea or an unexpected urinary tract infection.

Embrace local cuisine

Revolving around fish and root vegetables, traditional ni-Vanuatu cuisine is simple and wholesome. And tucking in at local markets is a lot cheaper than dining at international restaurants, where flavors and cooking techniques from around the world are fused with local produce including seafood, tropical fruits and Vanuatu beef.

Go easy on the kava

Known for its muscle relaxing and sedative effects, kava, a beverage made from the root of the kava (Piper methysticum) plant, is widely consumed for ceremonial purposes and recreational use across the Pacific. Many believe that Vanuatu kava is the strongest, so if you’re planning to imbibe, keep in mind that one coconut-shell cup can be enough to prompt a nap.

Pick up a local SIM at the airport

Wi-fi can be unreliable or non-existent beyond the resorts of Efate. If you’re going to need regular internet access during your trip, pick up a SIM at the kiosk in the arrivals hall of the international airport; the Vodafone network generally offers better coverage in the outer islands. Limited digital SIM options can be found online.

Choose souvenirs wisely

Seashell jewelry and other products are a common sight at Vanuatu’s markets, but with a crucial role to play in marine ecosystems, the best types of seashells are seashells left in their natural habitat. Similarly, it’s worth reading up on Vanuatu’s endangered tree species before purchasing wood carvings. Check kava import rules in your onward destination, where there may be restrictions.

Lean into island time

Nothing happens in a (huge) hurry in Vanuatu. Keep smiling, go with the flow, and discover how relaxing it can be.

Avoid eating big fish

Ciguatera fish poisoning, a foodborne illness caused by eating reef fish contaminated with ciguatoxins, is a small risk in Vanuatu. The best way to avoid it is to avoid eating large fish (over 2.7 kg/6lbs) – check with your server when ordering.

Pack lightweight clothing

While it can be useful to have a sweater on-hand for breezy evenings, as well as long pants to protect against bugs and prickly plants on walking trails, Vanuatu’s warm year-round climate calls for light, comfortable clothing.

Is Vanuatu safe?

Crimes against travelers in Vanuatu are rare, and locals are generally very welcoming and hospitable.

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Every weekend is an adventure

The best things to do in vanuatu: itinerary for your first visit.

• Post published: 13 June 2018
• Post category: Oceania/South Pacific / Vanuatu

There are 83 islands in the archipelago of Vanuatu. Unless you plan to spend months travelling in Vanuatu, you won’t be able to experience all the best things to do in Vanuatu in one trip.

The first step of making your Vanuatu itinerary will be to select a few islands to visit. This Vanuatu travel guide will make it easier for you to pick the best islands and the best places to visit in Vanuatu.

Vanuatu holidays can please anyone, from the adventurer to the resort lover.

The tourism offer is varied with outstanding natural landscapes. From pristine beaches to lush forests, transparent rivers and blue holes, Vanuatu is full of beautiful gems. It also provides fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities.

Last, but not least, a visit to Vanuatu is also a chance to experience with locals a fascinating culture. We felt very safe in Vanuatu at any time. It’s always a good idea to read your government information about the country before going (like the  Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website , for example).

For our first visit, we kept it simple and went to the most visited islands in Vanuatu:

• Efate (where the capital Port Vila is located)
• Espiritu Santo

If we had the budget and the time, we would have added Pentecost, Malekula, Epi or Ambrym to our Vanuatu itinerary. But as you plan your trip, you will realise Vanuatu is not a cheap destination. Many islands are quite easy to access by plane or by boat. However, the costs quickly add up, and the time quickly flies away with the transfers. We decided to keep the less-visited islands for another trip. It will indeed be easier to organise now that we had a first taste of the country.

I have listed below the best things to do in each of the Vanuatu islands we visited. 

I will write articles about each island later on the blog to provide more detailed information on what to do in Vanuatu. This list is an overview of the best activities and points of interest to start creating your Vanuatu itinerary.

Are you covered for adventurous activities by your  travel insurance ? I recommend double-checking to avoid bad surprises if an incident happens. Adventurous activities are often extra. Some travel insurance like  WorldNomads * and Covermore * make it easy to include adventurous activities.

The best things to do in Vanuatu: Efate Island

You are likely to visit Efate during your Vanuatu trip as it is the island of the capital Port Vila. Most flights arrive or leave from there.

We weren’t very impressed by Port Vila itself. But  a couple of days on Efate Island are a great way to start a trip to Vanuatu . It is a great transition to get introduced to the ni-Van culture without a strong culture shock.

Port Vila is a popular stop on cruises around the South Pacific from Australia. Hence, they are used to receiving foreign tourists, and it is easy to get around the island. Still, there are important things to know before visiting Efate or when you plan a day trip from Port Vila. These activities in Efate made it to my list of the best things to do in Vanuatu:

Port Vila markets

I love going to the local markets in Vanuatu. Wandering around Port Vila market was a great way to discover new fruits and veggies. People were lovely and even often offered us to try before buying when we didn’t know a product. I also ate the best bananas ever. They serve local dishes, such as lap-lap or tuluk if you are there at the right time and ask for it.

Not far from the primary market, the handicraft market is a great place to shop for local souvenirs. It guarantees that your purchase will benefit local communities. You can have a lovely experience with the stallholders who are happy to chat about their country, their culture, and their products.

Mele Cascades

The fee to enter Mele Cascades is excessive (2,000 VT per person!), and, regrettably, the profit does not seem to benefit the local communities. Still, the cascades and the waterfalls look fantastic. We chose Mele Cascades over Rarru Cascades (1,000 VT) as they looked more impressive.

Eton Blue Lagoon

If you don’t plan to visit the island of Espiritu Santo , you should make the trip to Eton Blue lagoon while you are on Efate. I recommend renting a car from Port Vila to go there. It will cost you almost the same as hiring a taxi or bus driver to go there and back from Port Vila (10,000 VT) and you will then be able to explore other parts of the island. If you are travelling by yourself, you may opt to join a tour *.

Hideaway Island

The marine reserve park is a short trip away from Port Vila. It is a great destination for snorkelling with good facilities nearby as it belongs to a resort. You will need to pay a fee of 1,250 VT per person to access the island.

Lelepa Island

Located in the north of Efate, Lelepa Island is a bit further away from Port Vila than Hideaway Island and a bit more expensive. It is locally owned and gives the opportunity to visit a local village while enjoying great snorkelling and even caves. We decided to skip it as the weather wasn’t good when we were in Efate.

Tanna Coffee Factory

The factory is a short drive away from Port Vila, on the way to Hideaway Island and Mele Cascades ( read more information here ). It is an interesting short visit to learn more about how they locally make coffee, try the local products and buy souvenirs. They also have an art gallery and essential oil products on site. The factory is a short drive away from Port Vila, on the way to Hideaway Island and Mele Cascades.

Aelan Chocolate Factory

Chocolate tastes better when it is produced by a non-profit organisation in a beautiful natural environment. The Aelan Chocolate Factory is located 15-minutes away from Port Vila in the Activ Association Centre. You will find there many local handicraft products and discover Vanuatu’s chocolate makers.

L’Houstalet Restaurant

Dinner at the L’Houstalet restaurant is not for the budget traveller but is a great opportunity to try some interesting local ingredients cooked with a French touch. The Chef Specialities – a flying fox, marinated in red wine or an imperial goliath pigeon with a creamy sauce – will cost you 2,700 VT.

Drive around the island

You can rent a car to drive around the island. This road trip will lead you to beautiful places and stunning views. We did not have time to do it this time, but we met fellow travellers who recommended doing it as an overnight trip.

Nguna Island

It is one of the few islands in the north of Efate that you can access via a short boat trip. We did not spend enough time in Efate to add it to our Vanuatu itinerary. With two extinct volcano craters to hike and great diving spots in a protected marine area, it is on my must-see list for the next time we go there. I believe a minimum of three days is needed to get there and enjoy the activities.

Responsible travel tip : If you choose to eat a bat – or flying fox – during your trip to Vanuatu, ask for the Pacific flying fox . This species is widespread in the Pacific. Unfortunately, most other species of flying foxes are endangered. Flying foxes are very important for the ecosystem as they pollinate many plants and disperse seeds.

If you have heard of Turtle Bay or Naiwe Beach or the Turtle Sanctuary or Crystal Blue Lagoon and want to go there, please reconsider your choice. If you like animals, you want to avoid this place.

When looking for the best things to do in Vanuatu, we were told at the tourist office there was a beach where we could snorkel with turtles. We love marine life, so we were excited. On arrival, we had to pay a “conservation fee” to enter a sanctuary. I don’t mind helping protect marine life, so it didn’t bother me until I entered the place. I felt sick when I   realised it was a prison and not at all a sanctuary . They keep sharks and turtles in tiny enclosures for tourists to touch, take photos and feed them food they would not find in the wild. A dark place that should not exist.

Most visitors seemed to have a great time, probably not realising how bad it is for the animals to be kept in such terrible conditions.

Responsible travel tip : This lousy experience at the fake turtle sanctuary near Port Vila was an excellent reminder of how important it is to research the activities we join to be responsible travellers . This is especially true when animals are involved as they may be treated poorly just to attract and please visitors. I wish tourism actors (P&O Cruise and tourism offices, if you read me…) would all participate in educating tourists about why these places are wrong. They would not exist if no one wanted to visit them.

Vanuatu itinerary tip | How long to stay on Efate?

We spent three days on Efate. If you can add a few more days on Efate in your Vanuatu itinerary, I recommend it. It will give you the opportunity to leave Port Vila behind you to explore the north of the island and even some of the other islands in this area.

Unfortunately, it rained most of the time when we were in Efate, so we decided not to visit some of the must-see places. We hope to go again with better luck weather-wise.

The best things to do in Vanuatu: Tanna Island

Many people spend a short time on Tanna just to see the volcano. Some even travel to Vanuatu just for it. But if you have time to stay longer, there are many other things to do on this beautiful Ni-van island:

Yasur volcano

A trip to the Yasur volcano can be made during an overnight stay on Tanna. However, spending a few days in the east of the island will give you more opportunities to experience the majestic volcano. We loved our walk along the river in the ash plain. You can even try ash-boarding on one side of the volcano. Read more about Tanna volcano here.

There are two blue holes on the east side of the island, only five minutes away from the airport. These blue holes are in the sea and make fantastic spots for snorkelling and scuba diving. Diving is expensive in Vanuatu, and we could not check out all the exciting sites. When the conditions are right, the Blue Cave sounds like a great experience too.

Kastom villages

The kastom culture is dominant on Tanna and spending time in traditional communities was fascinating. We learnt a lot about the culture, the way of life and the surrounding environment.

Port Resolution

The road to the volcano end a few kilometres further down, on the coast, at Port Resolution. The lovely village offers an ocean beach on one side, and a magnificent bay on the other side. There, you can watch local fishermen and small hot springs.

Black Magic Show

Although it is staged, the Black Magic Show on Tanna was described as a fun experience by fellow travellers. We could not attend it as prices for transfers from the east coast were out of our budget. If you travel to this area, you may want to push all the way to Louniel Beach with its beautiful black sand.

Sulphur Bay

Freshwater thermally heated by the volcano flows into the sea in Sulphur Bay. Because of transfer costs and time, we did not manage to check it out.

Have you heard of the John Frum Movement or the Cargo Cult? Check this out . If you are in the east of Tanna on a Friday night, you can go to Lamakara village to listen to songs and local music.

Vanuatu itinerary tip | How long to stay on Tanna?

Tanna is worth visiting even for just one day. But I recommend planning a more extended stay. If you go there for only a short visit, you will need to allow a big budget for transfers. We spent five days there (two in the west and three in the east). And we would have needed about two or three extra days to do everything we wanted – especially as we walked a lot to avoid the expensive transport costs.

We stayed at Rocky Ridge Bungalows *, Tanna Tree Top Lodge * and Island of Fire Bungalows *.

The best things to do in Vanuatu: Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo is an excellent mix of a ni-Van city and more traditional villages. It is a popular destination with direct international flights from Australia. Whether you are looking for a thrilling adventure or a relaxing holiday, you will find things to do on Vanuatu’s biggest island.

SS Coolidge wreck

Some people travel to Vanuatu just to scuba dive this famous wreck from WWII. If you can include a night dive in your program, it is worth it. Read more on the SS Coolidge dive here .

Million Dollar Point

Beautiful corals and many fish now live on the rest of what the Americans dumped in the ocean after WWII.

Millenium Cave

Although they improved a lot the trek to make it accessible to most tourists, it remains a challenging day hike. The adventure took us to cross a fantastic cave and swim along a stunning canyon. It is another expensive activity in Vanuatu (7,500 VT per person). But the profit made from the tour is used to provide education to more than 125 children. If you have time, you can spend the night in the village for an authentic experience (3,500 VT per person). Read more on all the things to know about Millenium cave hike here .

Champagne Beach

Access to Champagne Beach is expensive (2,000 VT per vehicle), but it indeed is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South Pacific. And there’s a trick to avoid paying the entrance fee !

There are at least four freshwater blue holes in Espiritu Santo. We visited Riri, Matevulu, and Nanda blue holes (budget around 500 VT per person for each blue hole). They all looked different and had their own charms.

Vanuatu’s second-biggest village is in one of the most beautiful locations you can dream of.

Vanuatu itinerary tip | How long to stay on Espiritu Santo?

As much as you can! I could live there without being bored. We spent nine days on Espiritu Santo and it was great. You could fit all we did in a week. But it felt good not to rush and embrace the “island time” spirit.

Find out more about our accommodation in Santo here . We stayed at Aore Eco-Retreat * on Aore Island,  Serenity Beach Bungalows * in Port Olry, and Towoc Beach Bungalows * at Champagne Beach but visited many other places.

Other top things to do in Vanuatu

Try the local food.

Food is a big part of a culture. So when travelling, I find it essential to try the local dishes. Most meals you will be served at the restaurant are made with local ingredients. But it does not mean they are local meals. Unfortunately, very few restaurants serve local meals. They believe visitors don’t like them. We managed to try local dishes at the markets and by asking our hosts if they could prepare it. We found most of them delicious, so I highly recommend the experience!

Trying these foods is one of the best things to do in Vanuatu:

• Tuluk : Our favourite ni-van dish – and it is even better when it is hot! They wrap a mix of beef and onions in a manioc roll. It reminds of a kind of meat pie. We found tuluks by asking around in the market or stopping on the side of the road.
• Lap-lap: A visit to Vanuatu is not complete without trying their national dish. The name of the dish comes from the lap-lap leaves that are used for cooking. Although they all look quite similar, there are many different kinds of lap-laps. I was not fond of the banana lap-lap and also found the manioc lap-lap quite average. But the yam lap-lap served with coconut milk was delicious.
• Simboro: Like lap-lap, simboros can be very different from one to another. They all look like a nem with local roots or bananas wrapped inside cabbage leaves. The manioc simboro we found on the market was delicious. But the banana simboro that our host cooked for us in Port Olry was the best one ever.
• Fruits : Fresh fruits in Vanuatu are delicious and sweet. We had the opportunity to try many fruits for the first time. And the bananas and grapefruits were so much better than anywhere else in the world!
• Coconuts : Make sure you try the three different stages of coconut during your trip. It was my favourite snack. The fresh coconut is close to jelly, whereas the dry one is hard like a biscuit and the germinated one like a cake. If you get a chance to try the fried coconut and the coconut jam, don’t miss it!
• Fish : You may have heard of the ciguatera – a food intoxication due to harmful algae that fish eat. Do not let this stop you from eating fish in Vanuatu. Only reef fish are at risk of making you sick. I loved trying their favourite local deep-sea fish: the poulet fish and the wahoo.
• Coconut crabs : These crabs live in the forest and eat coconuts. It sometimes made them taste a bit like coconut. We tried it before during our trip to New Caledonia , and it is delicious!
• Flying fox : We heard about it a lot in New Caledonia, but they do not serve it to tourists there. Locals always say it is the best meat. So we were thrilled to find it in a restaurant in Efate!

Talk to locals

When you travel to a country like Vanuatu, it feels important to take time to learn about people’s way of life and culture. Their stories are fascinating, and their knowledge of surrounding nature is breathtaking. Try to visit at least once a garden. A bit outside the village, the garden provides all the necessary food, including many fruits and vegetables you may not know.

Ni-vans are great people to exchange with. We were touched by their kindness and felt welcome everywhere we went. We mainly chose Vanuatu as a holiday destination for its beautiful natural resources. It was a pleasant surprise to be able to take the time to connect easily with the locals. Despite a low GDP, short life expectancy and recurrent natural disasters, Vanuatu people are among the happiest in the world. They always rank high on the Happy People Index , and you can also feel it when you spend time with the locals during your holidays. I hope to stay in touch with a few of the locals we spent time with and see how their projects evolve.

You may have heard of kava in other Pacific Islands like Fiji. But Vanuatu is the home of kava.  It is the place with the most potent kava in the world and the highest number of species.

Kava is an integral part of the Ni-van culture. It is a drink made from roots used during rituals that have now become part of everyday life. Local men often gather at the end of the day to enjoy its relaxing effects. Although sharing kava with a local is among the best things to do in Vanuatu, you may not get this opportunity and simply choose to stop at a kava bar. Kava is mostly a drink for men in the Ni-van culture as someone (women!) must take care of the kids. But foreign women were welcome to drink kava at the kava bars on the islands we visited (Efate, Tanna, and Espiritu Santo).

If you have been there, what do you think are the best things to do in Vanuatu? Share your experience in the comments below!

The best time to visit vanuatu.

I recommend avoiding the Australian school holidays when planning your Vanuatu itinerary. Unless you are a solo traveller hoping to meet fellow tourists, you will have a better experience during the off-peak season. It removes December and January from the best time to visit Vanuatu. I heard February is a very slow month and some resorts even close. Plus, the cyclone risk is higher from January to April. And if you are not used to the tropical climate, you may struggle with the heat and humidity during the summer months.

It appears the best time to visit Vanuatu is from May to November.

The tropical climate does not mean you should absolutely avoid the wet season (November to March) as showers are generally brief. We travelled during the wet season to the neighbouring country New Caledonia and had perfect weather. And we ended up having rain almost every day in June in Vanuatu… You never know!

Temperatures average at 23°C during winter, and you can swim all year round. In June, the ocean was still around 26-28°C. Tanna is 500 kilometres south of Espiritu Santo, and we felt a significant difference in the temperatures at night. Make sure you pack a jumper!

Map of our Vanuatu itinerary

The places in green indicate the must-see places we visited in our Vanuatu itinerary. The blue icons are the best places of interest in Vanuatu we didn’t have time to check out. This is for Efate, Tanna, and Espiritu Santo only.

Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific, very close to New Caledonia and not far away from Australia’s East Coast  and the north of New Zealand . There are direct flights from Australia’s major city to Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu on Efate Island. There are also direct flights from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo island.

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This Post Has 4 Comments

Hi Eloise! Lovely post. I am planning a trip to Vanuatu in feb but unfortunately for very less days. 4 to be precise. Do you think I can pull off the below itinerary – just put together few places I do want to visit: 1. Day 1 – reach Port Vila and see the local markets/drink/eat 2. Day 2 – rent a car and go around the island – go to Mele Cascade, Hideaway island, blue lagoon, Coffee & Choc Factory etc 3. Day 3 – Either go to tanna or do one of the island cruises 4. Day 4 – Come back from tanna. 5. Fly back to Sydney What do you think? I am happy to hear your feedback/suggestions!

Hi Sonam, Thanks for your nice words. Day 2 looks like a big day as you may need half a day just for the Blue Lagoon itself. You may have to choose between Mele Cascade and Hideaway Island that day. According to the time when you’ll be back from Tanna, you might be able to move it to day 4. If you have the budget, I highly recommend a trip to Tanna even for a short stay; it’s a very unique experience. A lot more unique than what you’ll get on Efate in my opinion. Enjoy your trip! 🙂

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teenagers). We wanted to go to Tanna but its closed due to covid for now. We’re going over early October to Efate for a week. Would you recommend we stay on this island the whole time or we can go to the other island Espirito Santo which will be open too? And best things to do with teens? Thanks. Found your information really useful thanks.

Hi Christine, It’s so exciting that you’re going to Vanuatu! I preferred Espiritu Santo to Efate when we visited. There’s a lot to do in Santo for visitors (incl. teenagers) who like outdoor activities: swimming and jumping in blue holes , kayaking, snorkelling and even a bit of hiking/canyoning to Millenium Cave … We stayed in Port Olry and it looked stunning. Enjoy your trip to Vanuatu 🙂

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• The Best Things To See...

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.

Lounge on Vanuatu’s epic beaches

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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Vanuatu itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Vanuatu

Looking for Vanuatu itinerary ideas ? What to do in Vanuatu? Where to stay in Tanna? What to see in Espiritu Santo? How long to spend in Vanuatu to see all the major sites? I was backpacking Vanuatu in April, during the time, known as the land diving ritual. And spending 12 days in this South Pacific Island is just the perfect amount of time to get the taste of the Happiest Place in the World . Find out how in my Vanuatu itinerary below.

🇻🇺 If you have been wondering “What is Anja’s favorite part of Vanuatu?”, you will find the answer hidden in the blog.

Vanuatu itinerary

In a bit more than 1 week in Vanuatu, you will see all the major sites . From Efate to Tanna, to Pentecost and Espiritu Santo. From Yakel Kastom tribe to land diving ritual . Inside this Vanuatu travel guide , you will find a perfect blend of culture and nature, sleep in tree houses, try tons of delicious food, hike an active volcano , dive among the shipwrecks, and see where bungee jumping comes from. All of it in less than 2 weeks in Vanuatu itinerary . From perfect Champagne beach and blue holes to volcanic landscapes under Mount Yasur. This is the Vanuatu itinerary , I used when celebrating my birthday in Vanuatu. This perfect Vanuatu itinerary will detail how to spend twelve days in Vanuatu , to make your trip memorable, cross off some bucket list items, and be full of exciting stories to tell.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Plan to spend at least a week in Vanuatu, but if time permits, reserve 10 days in Vanuatu to have enough time to include different islands in your Vanuatu itinerary.
• Visit and feel the difference between islands Efate – more developed, touristic, and ‘Western’, Tanna – adventurous and cultural, Espiritu Santo – laid back, beach and tropical vibes.
• Include must-do things; such as visiting the market in Port Vila, Mount Yasur volcano hike and kastom village visit on Tanna, swimming in Blue Holes, and snorkeling on Million Dollar Point on Santo.
• Indulge in delicious food, a mixture of local produce and French cuisine.
• If traveling to Vanuatu between April and June, don’t miss the opportunity to go on a Nagol or Land diving tour on Pentecost Island and witness the centuries-old tradition that inspired modern bungee jumping.

for ITINERARY idea: • Vanuatu itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Vanuatu for Vanuatu TRAVEL TIPS: • Vanuatu Cost of Travel and Detailed Budget Breakdown • Ultimate traveler safety guide: What to do during an earthquake • Epic Nagol Land Diving Pentecost Island Tour: Vanuatu Bungee Jumping for ACCOMMODATION suggestions: • for CAPTION IDEAS: • 111 Beautiful Vanuatu Captions For Instagram

for HALF DAY in … ITINERARY ideas: • Grand Canyon in half day: How to spend half day at Grand Canyon South Rim for 1 DAY or 24h in … ITINERARY ideas: • 1 Day in Amman Itinerary: How To Spend 24h in Amman • How to get from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon by car – One day road trip itinerary for multiple days ITINERARY ideas: • Dubai itinerary: How to spend 5 days in Dubai • Barbados itinerary: How to spend 7 days in Barbados • Seychelles itinerary: How to spend 10 days in Seychelles • Vanuatu itinerary: How to Spend 12 Days in Vanuatu • Zanzibar itinerary: How to spend 12 days in Zanzibar • Japan itinerary: How to spend 17 days in Japan

Table of Contents

Disclosure: This twelve days Vanuatu itinerary article may contain affiliate links. If you click it and buy something you like, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you! Read more in  Disclaimer .

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1. Breakdown of 12-day Vanuatu travel itinerary

This is a semi-relaxed itinerary for Vanuatu . If you are the type of person who only enjoys spending time by the pool or on a beach, then this is not for you. The Vanuatu itinerary below offers active days and a steady pace to explore different Vanuatu islands . It is the original itinerary for Vanuatu that I was supposed to follow. Due to some tour rescheduling and flight cancellations, my Vanuatu itinerary was modified accordingly. The itinerary offers a combination of sightseeing days , day trips , and days to relax . There are days when you can add more activities or swap sightseeing days on the same island. Following this Vanuatu blog, you will get enough time to learn about Vanuatu’s history , experience its culture, swim on different beaches, climb a volcano, and enjoy delicious food.

How many days do you need in Vanuatu? For your first visit to Vanuatu , I would recommend doing a similar route as described below. And you can even do the suggested itinerary if you are only spending 10 days in Vanuatu . You will see all the major Vanuatu bucket list items. But for the adventurers, you can add some more islands, like Ambrym, to your Vanuatu trip.  I would recommend starting your itinerary on Efate Island and staying somewhere close to Port Vila (4 nights). If visiting between April and June, go on a day tour to Pentecost Island on one of those days. Then fly to Tanna Island (3 nights) and your last stop will be Espiritu Santo Island (4 nights). Fly out from Santo directly or via Efate.

SHORT VANUATU ITINERARY OVERVIEW: Day 1: Arrival in Vanuatu and transfer to Port Vila Day 2: Port Villa, Mele Cascades, and underwater Post office Day 3: Day tour to Pentecost Island Day 4: Tour around Efate island Day 5: Fly to Tanna and transfer to Yasur volcano Day 6: Kastom village Day 7: Mount Yasur volcano tour Day 8: Fly to Espiritu Santo and transfer to Luganville Day 9: Luganville and Millenium cave Day 10: Million dollar point and Blue holes Day 11: Port Orly and Champagne Beach Day 12: Espiritu Santo and departure

Here is how Vanuatu itinerary island hopping looks on a map!

2. Be st time to visit Vanuatu

The Vanuatu archipelago (formerly called the New Hebrides ) consists of more than 80 islands forming an irregular Y shape on the Pacific Ring of Fire . They are in a similar latitude as Fiji, and thanks to the tropical climate, the weather is generally good to visit Vanuatu all year round . There are two distinctive seasons in Vanuatu, dry season and wet season. Choosing when to visit Vanuatu will depend on a personal preference, but prices and the number of tourists will be higher during the Australian school holidays. Below are some general factors you should consider when planning your Vanuatu itinerary.

The best time to visit Vanuatu is during the dry season between April and October. In these months the weather is warm and sunny, with minimal rainfall and less humidity. Months from April to June are shoulder season months that offer a perfect balance of good weather and fewer crowds. This period is ideal for outdoor activities, water adventures, and are great for anyone wanting to experience the Nagol Land Diving Ritual . I visited Vanuatu in April.

July to September have a bit cooler temperatures and are great for anyone who wants to spend their Vanuatu holiday exploring the underwater worlds with diving or snorkeling . This is a peak tourist season , with higher prices and more crowds as it coincides with the Australian school holidays. In October the temperatures start to rise but the month still offers good weather for outdoor activities. October marks the end of the dry season and sees fewer crowds. November to March is “wet season”. This also happens to be the cyclone season in Vanuatu , although cyclones can happen at any time. December to February are the quietest months with fewer tourists, while there might be more crowds during Christmas and New Year . Months from January to March are the wettest period with increased humidity and more frequent rain and cyclones.

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3. How to get to Vanuatu

There are two ways on how to get to Vanuatu islands, by plane or by cruise ship .

• HOW TO GET TO VANUATU FROM AUSTRALIA The easiest way is to get to Vanuatu from Australia and the Pacific region . Vanuatu National Airline, Air Vanuatu , offers direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Brisbane. They fly to Port Villa on Efate Island and Luganville on Espiritu Santo. Check I want that flight since they usually have great packages to Vanuatu from Sydney. I flew to Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) in Port Vila from Brisbane Airport and then boarded another Air Vanuatu flight to Nadi in Fiji. You can also visit Vanuatu by going on a cruise or renting a yacht . A lot of cruise lines go to Vanuatu, from P&O, Carnival, Celebrity Cruises to Royal Caribbean Cruises, MCS Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. When booking a cruise to Vanuatu , make sure you dock in Port Villa and preferably on Espiritu Santo Island. To visit the famous Champagne beach.
• HOW TO GET TO VANUATU FROM USA The best way to travel to Vanuatu from the USA is by air by major international airlines , such as Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Fiji Airways, with layovers in cities like Auckland, Sydney , or Nadi .
• HOW TO GET TO VANUATU FROM EUROPE The most optimal way to travel to Vanuatu from Europe is via Australia or New Zealand , with major airlines like Qantas, or Qatar. There are also some routes available to fly via Asia, like Singapore or Hong Kong, and then to Fiji and Vanuatu.

4. How to save money when planning a Vanuatu itinerary

Do you want to travel more and spend less ? I have created a list of Vanuatu travel resources for you. This is a collection of the best travel resources when it comes to transportation, accommodation, travel insurance, and more.

All of these are products that I personally use and recommend to others. Choosing the best travel resources from the beginning will save you time and money . Trust me, by using these travel resources, you will be able to travel further than you ever imagined.

5. Things to know before visiting Vanuatu

• VANUATU VISA For visiting islands in the Vanuatu archipelago, you will need a tourist visa . For most countries, you can get a visa on arrival , with some exceptions. Find if you hold a passport of the country that gets Vanuatu tourist visa on arrival, or if you are the one that needs to apply for a visitors visa. Learn more about Vanuatu visa on official Vanuatu website.
• SAFETY: Cyclones, Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanoes Cyclone season in Vanuatu is from November to April. If there is a cyclone alert while there, follow the National Disaster Management Office and Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-Hazards Department advice. Vanuatu lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire so earthquakes occur regularly. Read the traveler safety guide on staying safe during an earthquake . Tsunamis often happens, after an earthquake. There is a tsunami warning system in Port Villa and Santo. In the event of warning sirens, leave everything behind, move to higher ground, and follow the local authorities’ advice. There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu , and you will probably visit one of them, Mt. Yasur volcano on Tanna Island. Follow the advice of the local guide when visiting them and check the latest volcanic activity advice on Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-Hazards Department website. 

• VACCINATIONS There are no obligatory vaccinations for Vanuatu. There are recommended ones from the World Health Organisation (WHO) but consult your doctor before your visit. Recommended vaccines are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. Have a look at the recommended Vanuatu vaccines here.
• MALARIA, DENGUE and ZIKA Malaria, Dengue, and Zika all occur in Vanuatu. Malaria is more common in the northern regions , but the risk is present on all islands. Including the main island Efate and the capital Port Vila. High-risk months for malaria are from November to April, which are also the wettest months. Consult with your doctor about taking anti-malaria medication if you’re traveling to affected areas. Dengue and Zika virus can occur anywhere in Vanuatu . Peak transmission months are in the rainy season, from November to April. To prevent mosquito bites , use mosquito bite prevention measures: – ensure your accommodation has mosquito nets; – use an insect repellent with 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin; – wear neutral-coloured (beige, light grey) clothing and long sleeves at dusk and at night; – apply sunscreen first followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later).
• MONEY Vanuatu’s currency is the Vanuatu Vatu (VUV or V) . In Port Vila and some resorts, you can use credit cards but with a 5% surcharge. When withdrawing money from the ATM, take out as much as possible to ‘lower’ the withdrawal charges. If visiting other islands and going outside Port Vila, always bring enough cash with you. There are no ATMs on Tanna Island, some on Espiritu Santo, and more on Efate Island. There is no bargaining at markets and tipping is not necessary. Tourist attractions are located on privately owned lands (like in Fiji and Samoa) and you will need to pay an entrance fee to visit them. If you are flying between the islands, a 200 VUV departure tax must be paid in cash at the airport before boarding your domestic flight .

• TRAVEL INSURANCE Make sure to purchase travel insurance before your travel. Medical facilities are limited on the outer islands. If you get injured while hiking the volcano, or get ill because of the mosquito bite, chances are high you will need to get evacuated. Without travel insurance, this can be REALLY expensive. Buy one from your home country provider or find the best option with Safety Wing . In case you forgot, with Safety Wing you can get one when already abroad!
• SAFETY TIPS Is Vanuatu safe? Vanuatu is safe , even for solo female travelers , but it still doesn’t hurt to use common sense. Don’t flash your valuables. Don’t walk alone after dark.
• DRESS CODE Majority of the population is Christian . You should dress modestly, and wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Wearing a bikini on a beach is perfectly fine. Wear breathable, light clothing at dusk and down because of the mosquitos.

6. Twelve days in Vanuatu itinerary

Day 1: arrival to vanuatu and transfer to port vila.

Arrive in Vanuatu. Start your Vanuatu itinerary by flying into Vanuatu. You will most probably land at the Bauerfield International Airport on Efate Island. The airport is close to the capital Port Vila and easily accessible by public transport. After clearing any formalities, take a moment to exchange some currency to Vanuatu Vatu or withdraw cash from the ATMs available. Just a small amount to have it ready for the bus or taxi. You can exchange the rest of it in a bank in Port Vila.

PRO TIP If you plan to visit the outer islands and areas outside the main city, always carry some local currency on hand. They might not have ATMs or won’t accept Credit Cards.

My flight from Brisbane , Australia, to Port Vila, Vanuatu, should have arrived around 9 pm but it was delayed. Luckily I booked a private driver to pick me up before I landed. To be safe and stress-free which turned out to be an amazing decision. Later on, I found out that one of the Vanuatu leaders passed away and was transported back to the country on the same plane I was on. So there were no taxi drivers, busses or other transport options at the airport. Because of the repatriation ceremony, the usual 15-20 minute ride from the airport to Port Vila , took us a little bit more than an hour. Technically this should not even count as a day in Vanuatu itinerary. But if your plane arrives early, you will have more time to explore Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila.

Where to stay in Port Vila, Efate Island: The place where I stayed (Raynold’s Board and Lodge), close to Vanuatu National Museum, stopped renting rooms. Instead, look at some other accommodation options in Port Vila. • South Pacific Memories has cute bungalows, breakfast included in the price, free bikes and private parking; • In Breakas Beach Resort you can swim in their infinity pool or on a private beach, indulge in great food, and stay only 5 min drive away from Port Vila; • By booking Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila you will sleep in a beachfront resort with a private beach and outdoor swimming pool.

WANT MORE OPTIONS? Visit this page to see all available Port Vila accommodations to book online.

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DAY 2: Port Villa, Mele Cascades, and underwater Post office on Hideaway Island

Start your first official day in Vanuatu exploring the capital Port Vila and its surroundings. I started my morning nowhere else than at the Port Vila Central Market . This is the largest market in Vanuatu, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, snacks, and traditional handicrafts. The market is open every day . All day during weekdays and in the morning on Sundays. If your accommodation is not serving breakfast, this is a great place to fill up your stomach . I do not exaggerate telling you that I saw papayas bigger than my hand and had the most delicious avocados for breakfast. I love markets because they are a perfect place to engage with friendly locals, sample fresh tropical fruits, and get a boost of dopamine from scents, smells, and sounds.

After the market catch a transport from Port Vila to Mele Cascades . The cost of the ride is acceptable VT300 (4 AUD/2,3 EUR), for a 10 km ride. But the entrance fee to the evergreen Cascades Waterfall is a tourist rip-off . I’m more than happy to support local communities but VT2000 (25 AUD/15 EUR) is a bit too much.

I was really excited to see the 35-meter Evergreen Cascades Waterfall . I mean, I came all the way there to see it. But locals at my guesthouse were saying the price was too high, and not worth it. And I heard the same from tourists coming out from the Mele Cascades.  So, I had the full intent to go inside and was there, but didn’t go inside . It just didn’t feel right plus I didn’t have water shoes, and the place was crowded. Since there were people on organized tours to the Mele Cascades . I’m not regretting it since we have plenty of waterfalls in Slovenia.

After your Mele Cascades adventure, head to Hideaway Island . Visiting Hideaway Island is one of the top things to do in Vanuatu. Close to the shore of the island, you will find the only underwater post office in the world . The entrance fee is VT1500 (18 AUD/11,5 EUR) and you can send a postcard from it for VT400 (5 AUD/3 EUR). Since I didn’t visit the Mele Cascades, I returned to Port Vila just in time to visit the Vanuatu National Museum. There is a VT1000 (13 AUD/8 EUR) entrance fee for an educational visit where you learn all about traditional Vanuatu sand drawings and instruments. After your sightseeing day, have dinner in one of the resorts on the beachfront, or go to Iririki Island. I had a homecooked dinner at the guesthouse , where the lady prepared a traditional Vanuatu dinner with pork, yam, and taro. It was delicious.

ALSO READ: • Vanuatu Cost of Travel and Detailed Budget Breakdown

DAY 3: Nagol land diving Pentecost Island tour

If you want to experience something adventurous, historical, jaw-dropping, and traditional, go on Nagol Land diving tour . I can GUARANTEE you, you will not regret it! Seeing Nagol (Nahgol, N’gol, Nangol, Nanggol) or land diving ritual was one of my bucket list activities and the main reason why I came to Vanuatu. The day tour to Pentecost was supposed to be later on in my Vanuatu itinerary. But the weather did its thing. At first tour was canceled and later I got a spot to do it a few days earlier. 

DON’T FORGET Pentecost Island day tours run from Port Vila . If this is also on your travel bucket list, be flexible with the rest of your Vanuatu itinerary.

I went to Pentecost with Air Taxi Vanuatu . The tour lasts for 8 hours and it starts with a pick-up from your Port Vila hotel. From Port Vila airport, you fly in a small aircraft 200 km north to Pentecost Island. They run on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from April to June . On Pentecost, the transfer is waiting to take you to one of the villages on the south of the island. There you are free to walk in the village. The highlight of the tour is seeing young men jumping off the wooden tower with only lianas attached to their ankles, as part of the Naghol or Land diving ritual. Before you return to Port Vila on a scenic flight, you are served lunch in a village. Tour is not the cheapest, VT53,000 (640 AUD/390 EUR) but it is worth every Dollar, Euro or Vanuatu vatu. An unforgettable lifetime experience and one of the best things to do in Vanuatu. If you will still have the energy to explore, go to Iririki Island , just off the coast of Port Vila. There are nice beaches to swim or just relax under the palm trees. I was having dinner with other tourists from the Pentecost Island tour. You can read my Nagol Land diving tour review here or have a look what it was like .

DAY 4: Tour around Efate Island

Another day on the main island of Vanuatu. If you are traveling to Vanuatu with a group or as a couple, you might consider renting a car . I didn’t want to spend another day in Port Vila or rent a car on my own, so I joined an Island tour with BBQ lunch . We visited the Blue Lagoon and Eden on the River , the cultural village and the Turtle sanctuary. There were 4 people on the tour so it didn’t feel too crowded for my taste. Guide was speaking English and French. Tour starts in Port Vila and from there you visit a cultural village . There you learn about the history, life, and customs of Ni-Van people . Stories about cannibalism, how they use spider webbing for fishing, hunting, knowing which fish are poisonous and more.

Then we went to the Blue Lagoon where we had time to swim in crystal clear water. The day of the tour was a no-cruise ship day, so it was a bit quieter. After we went to Eden on the River. Our final stop before going back was a small turtle sanctuary . Some people got to feed them and swim with them but I saw turtles in other places so was not participating in this activity. Island tour is a good half-day tour to break up your day, and perfect if you don’t want to spend the whole day on the beach. Blue Lagoon was the highlight for me.

Tour was fine but I wasn’t that impressed, I would rate it 3.8 out of 5. Probably because I was still under a strong impression from the land diving tour the day before, which was a dream come true and one of my best days in Vanuatu.

ALSO READ: • Epic Nagol Land Diving Pentecost Island Tour: Vanuatu Bungee Jumping

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DAY 5: Fly to Tanna and transfer to Mount Yasur area

Today you are going to visit yet another island in the Vanuatu archipelago . Visiting Tanna and its main attraction Mount Yasur volcano was a second bucket list item on my Vanuatu itinerary. The first one was Naghol land diving , the second one was the Yasur volcano tour and the third one was celebrating my birthday on Champagne beach. Before you get to Tanna, plan to spend here at least 2-3 days . Mount Yasur is an active volcano and one of the world’s most accessible ones as well. If the volcano is too active, or if the weather is bad the tour might get canceled. This happened to me but I planned ahead and was able to do a Volcano hike on my last day on Tanna Island.

Also, make sure you have enough cash with you since ATMs are very limited. Plus if you are staying in some of the bungalows overlooking Mt. Yasur, cash is the way to go and there might not have electricity or accept card payments. Bring snacks and warm clothes . Direct flight from Port Vila to Tanna with Air Vanuatu only takes 40 minutes offering some amazing views during your flight. I’ve had a mid-day flight to Tanna Island White Grass Airport. I took a bus from Port Vila VT 150 (1,8 AUD/1,2 EUR) to the airport.

Now, the next part of Tanna itinerary will depend on where you will stay on the island. Basically, Tanna is a small island and accommodation options are limited. If possible, book yours in advance ! I haven’t and was struggling to book one last minute. You will find resorts on the West side of the island, closer to the airport, and bungalows and tree houses on the East side of the island, around the Mount Yasur area. I was staying in the Mount Yasur area. If you are staying in nicer and more modern accommodations on the West side , you can spend your afternoon snorkeling of visiting one of the blue holes. Great accommodation in that area is White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa offering complimentary Airport Transfers. As mentioned earlier, I stayed in an accommodation with Mt. Yasur view . First, because it was easier to get on a tour, and second because I always wanted to stay in a treehouse and have a front-row view of the volcano. Service is basic , with limited WiFi and electricity. But the experience is genuine and one of a kind.

I have had my transport from the airport to the accommodation arranged with my hotel. I paid VT 4000 (48 AUD/31 EUR) from White Grass Airport on Tanna island to my Mt. Yasur view accommodation. The drive took us around two hours . It was raining heavily and the ‘roads’ were non-existent. It was only me in the car and the driver/accommodation owner stopped at the store so I could buy snacks and water . Trust me, you will need both of those things so stack up! The drive was first through the forest and a bit uphill, but then we started to descend. Along the way, we stopped many times to see the ash plains of Mount Yasur and Tanna coastline. Seeing the black ash-filled landscape, the grounds shaking every now and then was surreal. It felt like landing on Mars.

The closer we were driving to the volcano, the scarier it looked. In some parts, we were able to see the smoke coming out of the ground . The smell of rotten eggs was getting stronger. I was really impatient and too excited to go up. But the volcano was too active that day, and the weather was not nice, so all the tours were canceled . Hopefully tomorrow! After I arrived at the Castle Tree House And Bungalow I got my very own tree house , with a view of the volcano. It was basic but super nice . The view was worth it. I also ordered some dinner and that was it for the night. The night was cold, windy and it rained. I didn’t sleep very well, since I was admiring red lava at every volcano eruption . Magnificent to watch! And frightening. At every eruption, there was a ground shake that was felt even more high up on the tree. Where to stay in Tanna: • White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa on the West Coast of Tanna is close to the airport and offers complimentary airport transfers. They have a private beach, free Wifi, a pool, a spa, and dining options. • Castle Tree House And Bungalow on the East Coast is where I stayed. It is surrounded by lush vegetation and has a homey, traditional feel with a free breakfast. They can help with organizing tours.

WANT MORE OPTIONS? Visit this page to see all available Tanna accommodations to book online.

DAY 6: Melanesian Kastom village

Full day for activities on Tanna Island . Choose between hot springs, going to the beach, ash boarding, visiting a kastom village, volcano tour … It was pouring down with rain, so I was stuck at my accommodation. I was not the happiest since I was planning to do all sorts of activities. But, there was nothing I could do. You can’t fight Mother Nature. The owner of the bungalows said that the tours to the volcano will (again) not operate today. Bad weather and high volcano activity level. Fingers crossed, I might do it tomorrow. Luckily, it cleared up by midday so I could visit a kastom Latapo village close by and paid VT1500 (18 AUD/12 EUR). Bring cash!

Most people visit the Yakel Tribe’s village on the other side of the island. Yakel is also the tribe showcased in the Tanna movie , which I highly recommend watching. It displays kastom traditions on the island, there is (of course) a love story and Mount Yasur Volcano. You can say this is Vanuatu’s version of Romeo and Juliet. Visiting Melanesian Kastom village in Vanuatu will be like stepping back in time . You will be greeted by men, women, and kids wearing traditional clothes, lavalava skirts, nambas, and leaves. Then they will show you their custom traditions. How to use various leaves, how to make a lavalava skirt from hibiscus plants, how to make fire with sticks and dry wood.

You will also see them dancing and singing . Women and men individually and then together. A beautiful site, especially with the Mount Yasur volcano in the background. If you are lucky, they will invite you to come and dance with them. Later they will show you plants they use for food (taro, yam, sweet potato), herbal medicines on-site, and trees surrounding them, including a huge banyan tree. The Kastom village visit lasted for a couple of hours and it was well worth the visit . Back in my accommodation I ordered some dinner and went to bed hoping I will be lucky enough to do the Mount Yasur hike tomorrow.

DAY 7: Mount Yasur volcano hike

Another day reserved for different activities on Tanna . Visiting hot springs, going to the beach, ash boarding, visiting a kastom village, volcano tour, black magic tour … This was my last day on Tanna Island. It was drizzling but I was still happy when I found out that the volcano tours would operate today . Yes! After a lovely lunch, I took a scenic walk through the jungle to get to the entrance of Mount Yasur Volcano Safari . Going through the jungle on ‘local paths’ it would be 15-20 minutes. I took the safer approach and chose the road. It took me around 50 minutes (15 minutes drive). 

Mount Yasur is one of the most easily accessible active volcanoes in the world. It is a 361 m (1184 ft) high volcano, with daily strombolian eruptions recorded since 1774, when it was discovered by Captain James Cook . I decided to go on a twilight tour and paid VT8000 (96 AUD/62 EUR). Volcano tour starts with a special ceremony. Then you are taken on a short jeep ride to the parking spot on the top. Here you can see another amazing location for a post office. After you have to do a moderate hike to the rim of the volcano.

Going on a tour, following the rules of the local guides is paramount. With each eruption the grounds are shaking, there are no handrails to protect you from falling and you have to mind every step. Plus the ash and rotten eggs smell is not helping. Views of the 400 m summit crater are spectacular and the surrounding area is magnificent. Fields and traces of dry lava fields and lush green jungle behind it. We stopped at the viewpoint and waited for the sunset. The tour is filled with adrenaline. Standing on the volcano’s edge, with LOUD eruptions, HORRIBLE smell, ash everywhere you look and flying lava … I am not sure how safe this actually is. It is scary. It is exciting. It is raw. It’s nature.  You can read a whole Mount Yasur volcano hike here with tips for visiting.

Below is one of the eruptions . You can see the sound (ash) wave before the ‘bam’.

I was happy to get the chance and climb an active volcano! But I was also happy to go down . I shouldn’t have to mention, that I was covered in ash ! And I had a buzzing sound in my ears. If you have, bring sunglasses, earplugs and a face mask. Thank me later! I asked my accommodation to pick me up after the end of the tour . It was pitch black dark and didn’t want to get lost. From the volcano tour to accommodation, I paid VT1500 (18 AUD/10 EUR). Was Mount Yasur volcano tour worth it? Absolutely! No doubt about it! It is scary but unforgettable experience! An absolute must to include in Vanuatu itinerary .

MT. YASUR VOLCANO HIKE TIPS • There will be a lot of ash flying around and you will be covered in it. • Bring warm clothes so that you won’t feel bad for them when covered in ash. Plus it gets cold at the top. • Wear sturdy shoes. You are going to the top of an active volcano! • If you are having asthma or breathing problems, bring a mask or something to cover your nose and mouth with. Did I mention the ash? • I was wearing sunglasses because ash was everywhere and my eyes were all in tears trying to take it out. • Bring a water pouch or a bag to protect your phone and camera from the ash. • Explosions are LOUD so bring earplugs. I didn’t have them (no one told me) which resulted in a ringing and buzzing sound for the next few days. • The rotten eggs smell is indescribable. At some eruptions almost makes you gag. So if you have, bring a scented mask or scented tissues. • Don’t forget your headlamp or a torch. • Have baby wipes to wash away the ash when getting back from the volcano.

DAY 8: Fly to Espiritu Santo and transfer to Luganville

Leave Tanna and fly to Espirito Santo , or Santo, the biggest island in Vanuatu. This will be the last leg of your Vanuatu itinerary island hopping . Depending on the day, you might get a direct flight with Air Vanuatu from Tanna to Santo. If not, you will have to switch planes in Port Vila. I started my day bright and early. First, for the transfer from Mt. Yasur to Tanna Airport. I paid VT2500 (30 AUD/20 EUR). My direct flight to Santo was changed, so I had to fly to Efate first and then to Santo. All good, but that meant I had to pay departure tax twice . In Luganville, I got a taxi from the airport to my accommodation and had dinner in a local restaurant. Where to stay on Espiritu Santo: • I stayed at Deco Stop Lodge . At the time they had a dorm room, but since I was the only one there, it was like having a private room. They have a pool, and are a short 10-minute walk from Luganville. They also help you book tours and have bikes for rent available. • Two other great places to stay in Luganville are The Espiritu and Hotel Santo Vanuatu .

🇻🇺 “What is Anja’s favorite part of Vanuatu?” I like seeing Pentecost, but in general, my favorite part of Vanuatu itinerary is Tanna.

WANT MORE OPTIONS? Visit this page to see all available Santo accommodations to book online.

DAY 9: Luganville and Millenium Cave adventure

Sign up for the Millennium cave tour . You will get wet but your day will be full of adventure and this might as well be the best thing to do in Santo. If you can, add it to your Vanuatu itinerary. Money from the tour, VT7500 (90 AUD/57 EUR), goes back to the local villages you will see on the tour. So by going on it, you will actually help the local community . I was hesitant to sign up for the tour at first. But contrary to what people were saying for the Mele Cascades, all the tourists and locals were raving about this one. So I decided to go. It is fun, exciting, and adventurous. You need to be in a physical condition to do it as it is not a moderate hike. You will be walking on slippery surfaces, ascending, descending, walking in cave and more. Harder and more exciting than the Narrows in Zion. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet (because they will). If you choose to bring a phone, wear a waterproof bag to protect it.

DAY 10: Million dollar point and Blue holes

Espiritu Santo is a mecca for divers , famous for diving the SS President Coolidge . If you are a diver, including Santo in your Vanuatu itinerary is a must. Spend your day checking some must-do things in Santo. Like diving or snorkeling on Million Dollar Point and visiting Blue holes in the afternoon if you have some time and energy left. I rented a bike for the day.

My first stop was Million Dollar Point , which is a must-visit in Santo. The entrance fee is VT500 or AU$5 if you pay in Australian dollars. I don’t dive but I do snorkel. At Million Dollar Point, you can see where Americans dumped millions of dollars worth of equipment at the end of World War II. All the ‘equipment’ is right off the shore. You can see tanks, tops, wheels … I didn’t feel comfortable looking at all of it, so I left rather quickly.

I spend the afternoon cycling exploring and swimming in the Blue Holes. Blue holes are inland natural freshwater springs . They are blue oases in the middle of the tropical jungle, that get their color from the minerals, depth of the blue hole and water purity. I visited three blue holes in Santo : Riri blue hole , Matevulu blue hole and Nanda blue hole or Jackie’s blue hole. There is a VT500 (6 AUD/4 EUR) entrance free for Riri and Matevulu and VT1000 (12 AUD/6 EUR) entrance fee for Nanda Blue Hole.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL TIP Colors of the holes are insanely pure and the water is super clean. Let’s keep it that way! At some blue holes, there are showers to wash yourself BEFORE entering the blue hole. Make sure, you don’t use sunscreen, or repellent before jumping in! And if you absolutely have to, try to use natural brands.

My cycling day ended at Nanda Blue hole. I was just too exhausted to bike all the way back to Luganville. So I paid a local to drive me and a bike back to my accommodation.

DAY 11: Port Olry and Champagne Beach

Today you are going to spend a day relaxing on the North of Santo Island . Spend a day on a beach in Port Olry Beach and visit one of the best beaches in the world, Champagne Beach . Champagne Beach got its name from the volcanic gasses coming through the sand , so it looks like the beach is bubbling. You can also feel the bubbles when walking on the sand. The scenery is just perfect for some stunning Vanuatu photos . As with many beaches on other South Pacific Islands (Fiji, Samoa), there is a fee to enter . Champagne Beach is privately owned and the fee is VT2000 (19 AUD/15 EUR) per vehicle, or VT500 (6 AUD/4 EUR) for walk-ins. You you stay in one of the accommodations on Champagne beach , the entrance is free. With two other travelers, we rented a taxi for a day and paid VT4000 (48 AUD/31 EUR) each. It took us to all the sites on the East Coast, Blue Holes (the ones I visited yesterday), all the way up to Port Olry and Champagne Beach. We spent the whole day on the beach. Snorkeled, swam in the blue ocean, played with local kids, and had lobster lunch at one of the local restaurants.

ALSO READ: • 111 Beautiful Vanuatu Captions For Instagram

DAY 12: Espiritu Santo and departure

Time to say goodbye to Santo and Vanuatu . Depending on your International flight, you might have to take a flight to Port Vila first, so plan accordingly. My flight to Port Vila was in the morning and my outbound flight from Port Vila to Fiji was in the evening. So I had a whole day to spend in Port Vila. I visited Port Vila Market again, where I bought souvenirs and grabbed another delicious burger. All before my flight to another Island archipelago in the South Pacific where I spent the next 2 months.

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7. Final thoughts on How to spend 12 days in Vanuatu Itinerary

This Vanuatu itinerary is perfect for a first-time visitor to Vanuatu . It is a perfect combination of beaches, adventure, sightseeing, nature and history. You will have enough time to explore what different islands in the Vanuatu archipelago have to offer. 12 days in Vanuatu will be plenty of time for you to experience the vibe of different Vanuatu islands. I am positive you will be amazed at how every island offers different adventures and activities. From Mount Yasur volcano hike on Tanna to Naghol land diving on Pentecost , snorkeling on Million dollar Point and Efate with capital Port Vila. It will be hard to choose your favorite one. This itinerary for Vanuatu gives you enough time to visit some of the must-do places in Vanuatu, as it allows enough time to explore each island. Swimming in blue holes, learning about Melanesian Kastom culture , hiking an active volcano, and stepping back in time to see the origins of bungee jumping.

7. 1. Possible Vanuatu itinerary alternations

I would spend more time in Santo than in Efate. I would still advise you to book at least 3 days in Tanna, just to be sure that you can go up the Yasur volcano. If you are diving, spend more time on Santo. Make sure to do the dives at least 1 day before your flight . If visiting Vanuatu during the Naghol ritual , I would recommend going on a tour! If you don’t have 12 days for Vanuatu travel and are wondering “How many days in Vanuatu is enough?” I would say, to have at least 1 week in Vanuatu, but if possible 10 days in Vanuatu would be perfect. What to do in Vanuatu for a week? If you want to explore Vanuatu in 7 days , I would suggest visiting only two islands . Efate and eather Tanna or Santo. If you feel adventurous, you can perhaps book a Tanna volcano day tour. By spending 10 days in Vanuatu you can add 3 or even four islands to your Vanuatu itinerary or opt for a day tour to Pentecost Island. Regardless of how many days you can include in your Vanuatu itinerary , make sure to enjoy every moment on the Melanesian Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Welcam, Anja

8. BONUS: Vanuatu travel planning guide

8.1. do i need travel insurance for vanuatu.

YES Enjoy peace of mind on your travels with a plan from SafetyWing . You can choose between monthly coverage or insurance for specific travel dates . They are one of the biggest names in the travel insurance world, and also give you the option to get insured while already abroad! Stay and be safe!

8.2. Do I need to book my accommodation in advance?

NO, BUT IT IS RECOMMENDED Accommodation in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila and on the outer islands is limited. To avoid any unwanted stress, I would recommend booking places to stay in advance or before you arrive . Booking.com has a great feature on some stays, where you can reserve your room and cancel it for free if your plans change.

8.3. Will my phone work in Vanuatu?

MAYBE It depends on your mobile provider and the plan you are on. There is WiFi in some hotels, but some basic accommodations do not have it. You can buy a local Sim card once there or travel carefree and buy an Airalo eSim before your travels.

8.4. Is it safe to rent a car in Vanuatu?

YES Renting a car in Vanuatu is safe with some precautions. Check the rates at Discover Cars to make sure renting pays off. You will potentially only need a car on Efate and Espiritu Santo, to avoid paying for a taxi and have more freedom to explore.

8.5. Do I have to book tours in Vanuatu before I arrive?

SOME OF THEM You can explore areas in Vanuatu without a tour, like Port Vila and Efate Island. You can also go snorkeling at Million Dollars Point and swim in Blue Holes on your own. For others, like Pentecost land diving tour , and Mount Yasur volcano hike, I would book a tour in advance. Viator offers more tours in Vanuatu than GetYourGuide (which I used to book airport transfer).

➤ What you should read next …

• Epic Nagol Land Diving Pentecost Island Tour: Vanuatu Bungee Jumping • Vanuatu Cost of Travel and Detailed Budget Breakdown • 111 Beautiful Vanuatu Captions For Instagram • Best Ways of Tracking Travel Expenses During a Trip • Ultimate traveler safety guide: What to do during an earthquake

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✈ Travel Resources | Travel more & Spend less

Are you ready to travel like a PRO? Save time and money with these travel tips and resources . I personally use these companies to save time and money. They do the work by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews from actual guests, for anywhere I am traveling worldwide. ✈️ FLIGHTS: I use Skyscanner in combination with Google Flights to find amazing flight fares (try the Explore feature). I book directly with an airline or pair it with Iwantthatflight for the best deals. 🏨 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is my favorite site for finding great hotel deals. They return the best rates and reviews are from actual guests! 🚘 RENTAL CARS: Discover Cars are my go-to, when planning an epic road trip. 🗽 TOURS & ACTIVITIES: I like to wander around on my own, but when I want to explore with a group, skip the line with an entrance ticket, I book it with GetYourGuide or Viator . ❤️‍🩹 TRAVEL INSURANCE: I never, under any circumstances travel without insurance. In most cases, I use yearly global travel medical insurance. But, if you don’t have that and some impromptu travel plans occur, use SafetyWing . With them, you can buy travel insurance even when you are already abroad. Better be safe, than sorry! 📲 ONLINE SAFETY: NordVPN keeps your devices’ browsing safe and malware-free. Stream shows from around the world, access social media in countries where they are blocked and buy cheap flights by changing your virtual location. 🛜 STAY CONNECTED WITH eSIM: Ditch the plastic SIM cards and waiting in lines at the airport! Airalo eSIMs allow you to connect as soon as you land at your destination. They have eSIMs for over 190+ countries worldwide.

🗨 FAQ related to Vanuatu Itinerary

What does the name vanuatu mean.

The name “Vanuatu” is believed to have two possible origins. One interpretation is that it’s derived from the Austronesian word “vanua,” which means “land” or “home.” The addition of the suffix “-tu” emphasizes the collective nature, making it “Our Land” or “Land of the People.” Another interpretation suggests that “Vanuatu” could be a combination of two local Melanesian words, “vanua” and “tu,” which together convey the idea of “many islands.” Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific, and the name reflects its diverse archipelago made up of numerous islands.

How many days do I need to plan for my Vanuatu itinerary?

The ideal duration for a visit to Vanuatu can vary but in general I would recommend spending at least 1 week in Vanuatu. If you want to explore Vanuatu in 7 days, I would suggest visiting only two islands. Efate and eather Tanna or Santo. If you feel adventurous, you can perhaps book a Tanna volcano day tour. If you have time, spend 10 days in Vanuatu to fully experience the diverse culture, natural beauty, and adventure opportunities on different islands. By spending 10 days in Vanuatu you can visit 3 or even four islands or opt for a day tour to Pentecost Island. For more Vanuatu travel tips, Vanuatu itinerary ideas and what to see in Vanuatu visit Anja On Adventure blog. 

Is Vanuatu worth visiting?

Yes, Vanuatu is an often overlooked Melanesian destination in the South Pacific Ocean and often considered a bucket list destination for its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, diving sites, kastom cultural experiences, vibrant coral reefs, pristine beaches, active volcanoes, and lush rainforests. It is also worth mentioning that it is the 4th happiest nation in the world. For Vanuatu itinerary ideas, Vanuatu cost of travel and Vanuatu places to visit, visit Anja On Adventure blog.

What is the best time to visit Vanuatu?

The best time to visit is between April to September. This is Vanuatu’s dry season, with sunny days and less humidity. For diving, the best month are July-August. If you want to see a Land diving ritual, you should come from mid-April to mid-June.  For more Vanuatu travel tips, Vanuatu itinerary ideas and what to see in Vanuatu visit Anja On Adventure travel blog.

Which islands should I include in Vanuatu itinerary?

Vanuatu is an archipelago consisting of 83 islands. Here are some recommended bigger islands you should consider visiting. Efate (capital Port Vila), Tanna (Mount Yasur volcano, traditional villages, and Yakel Tribe), Espiritu Santo (Blue Holes, white-sand beaches, and World War II relics), Pentecost (land diving ceremonies), Ambrym. For more about Vanuatu itinerary on Anja On Adventure Vanuatu travel blog section.

❥ About Anja On Adventure

Anja On Adventure is a travel blog, a collection of insider tips and information on destinations, that I visited as a solo female traveler, tour guide, teacher, yacht stewardess, and Survivor challenge tester. Anja, is a thirty-something adventure-seeking, sun chasing, beach hopping, gin-loving, tropics enthusiast with a creative mind and sarcastic spirit, who loves coconut and mango but doesn’t like chocolate and sweets. I am passionate about all things travel, maps, and puzzles. Click here to learn more About me .

About the author: Anja

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10 Best Places to Visit in Vanuatu For Your Next Trip

Posted by on 05 Aug 2022

Vanuatu is a South Pacific archipelago boasting balmy and rugged beaches, a rich Melanesian heritage and dreamy sunsets – the perfect backdrop for your slow-mo retreat.

But the country’s different regions have plenty more to offer than world-class beaches. Its 80-odd islands are peppered with quaint villages and coastal towns offering unique experiences. A short drive from the city brings you to a variety of natural attractions, from breathtaking volcanic craters to thundering waterfalls.

We’ve listed ten of the top places to visit in Vanuatu that will leave you speechless and wanting to return for more. Be sure to include these destinations in your itinerary to make the most of your visit.

10 Best Places to Visit in Vanuatu

Mount yasur.

If you ask a local what Vanuatu is famous for, they’ll most likely say that Mount Yasur is what put Vanuatu on the map. It’s one of the most open volcanoes in the world and is only a 45-minute flight from Port Vila. Legend has it that the glow of this volcano caught the attention of Captain James Cook, which led him to embark on the first European expedition to the island in 1774.

One of the best things to do in Vanuatu is to drive near the peak of Mount Yasur and trek its ash-covered plains. The experience up the crest is unforgettable. The rumbling and hissing of the gases and the spewing of the bright-red lava are an exhilarating spectacle.

Matevulu Blue Hole

Another one of Vanuatu’s many hidden natural wonders is the Matevulu Blue Hole. This waterscape is an idyllic lagoon of turquoise and deep blue waters surrounded by banyan trees and lush tropical vegetation. A real-life Shangri-La with an ancient, untouched charm.

Pentecost is an island where towering mountains meet calm, azure shores. Quaint villages also dot the coastline. The crystal clear waters are also perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling.

But the island has more to offer beyond its beautiful villages and dive sites. The Melanesian tradition of “naghol” or land diving makes it a popular tourist destination. Include watching this exhilarating ritual on your bucket list of things to do in Vanuatu.

Land diving is not for the faint of heart — it’s an adrenaline-inducing activity where brave land divers jump from monumental towers with nothing but thin ropes made from vines tugging them to safety. It’s said that the closer you get to the ground, the better the harvest will be.

Mele Cascades

The rope-guided trek up the narrow, slippery trail makes the experience even more rewarding, But visitors should take caution as they make their way to the 35-metre high waterfall.

Mt. Benbow and Mt. Marum

Other places to go in Vanuatu for volcano adventures are Mt. Benbow and Mt. Marum. These twin volcanoes are mainly covered by a low cloud of volcanic smoke and ash. But on a clear day, you will see an impressive live crater and molten lava display.

Climbing the volcanoes is not an easy feat. You need to be physically fit and comfortable walking on steep terrain. We recommend bringing skin protection and drinking lots of water during your hike. You can take three routes: north from Ranon or Ranvetlam, southwest from Port Vatu or Lalinda and east from Endu.

Millennium Cave

It only takes a bumpy 45-minute ride to Funaspef village to get to the largest cave in the country. The Millennium Cave requires a challenging 1.5-hour trek through tough obstacles that will test your limits. Travellers will need to pass through the forest, cross bamboo bridges, climb steep boulders, traipse through small waterfalls and wade through a dark, water-filled cave to arrive at their destination.

The journey may be gruelling, but the scenery is one of the best in Vanuatu. It’s an incredible and rewarding experience with a spectacular view of nature.

Known as Vanuatu’s “second city,” Luganville has many fascinating sights and exciting things to do. For instance, the Million Dollar Point used to be a dumping site for hundreds of US military equipment. Today, these coral-encrusted pieces of machinery are a popular attraction for divers and snorkelers.

Satisfy your appetite by dropping by Restaurant 1606 for a delicious serving of tapas, seafood paella and crispy pork belly. There are also Market Meal Booths for a budget local dining experience in Santo. Every chicken, fish or steak order is paired with rice and vegetables. You can also enjoy watching your food cooked through a window.

National Museum of Vanuatu

Located in a lofty conventional edifice opposite the parliament, this gallery is one of the best places to visit in Vanuatu. It exhibits a collection of traditional artefacts like slit gongs, drums, ceremonial headdresses and outrigger canoes. You can also find shell ornaments and pottery with Lapita and Wusi backgrounds on display.

Apart from these ornaments, there is also a fascinating photo display of the unearthing of Chief Roi Mata’s grave site. You can roam around the museum yourself or join a guided tour which includes a sand drawing experience and a demonstration of traditional instruments.

Your itinerary won’t be complete without a visit to Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila. Situated on the island of Efate, this small but energetic city will keep you on your feet. The streets are always bustling with crowds and things to do.

The busy Port Vila offers something for every kind of traveller. You can visit local museums, mingle with the locals and buy souvenirs from the shops and markets. Don’t forget to dine in the waterfront restaurants and try their poulet fish, a Vanuatuan snapper with a unique flavour reminiscent of chicken. Drop by a local bar to try Kava, an intoxicating non-fermented drink often served during ceremonies and special occasions.

Champagne Beach

Make the most of your trip by taking some time off to relax and unwind. The country has many beaches to choose from, but Champagne Beach deserves the top of the list since it is one of the most popular places to visit in Vanuatu.

Located on the island of Espiritu Santo, this postcard-perfect beach offers stunningly beautiful views of pristine white sands, clear turquoise waters and lush rainforest backgrounds. You can also spot some sea turtles and parrot fish swimming in its beautiful reefs. What sets Champagne Beach from other beaches is the unique volcanic activity that causes its waters to froth and fizz.

Explore Vanuatu’s Beauty

This archipelagic destination is filled with fascinating sights no matter where you go. Since Vanuatu sits directly on top of the Pacific Ring of Fire, it has many active volcanoes that eventually created its unique landscapes. Travellers can also enjoy various activities, relax by the beach, try out delicious local dishes and get lost exploring the cities of this beautiful tropical country.

Choose from our Vanuatu holiday packages and discover the best way to enjoy this destination.

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Ultimate Vanuatu Travel Guide (2024)

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.

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Table of Contents

How to get around in Vanuatu

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

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 double-checking the price with him. Depending on the distance from your accommodation, 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

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 about the time we got stranded in the Pacific—cancelled flights, lost luggage, and coronaviru s.

Travel Tips for Oceania & Australia

We have many travel guides and tips for Oceania & Australia—a fascinating continent!

Australia is ideal for exploring with two wheels! If you plan to explore Oz, check out our best tips for doing the Big Lap of Australia 

These 12 classic foods from Australia  are unmissable and remember to get a photo with the 30 best BIG THINGS in Australia.

Do you plan to visit the Pacific islands? You’ll need our ULTIMATE guide to visit every country in the Pacific.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel longer after visiting Australia and Oceania, these 21 cheapest countries to visit will make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in this region of the world. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries .

If your travels in Australia and Oceania are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM . The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. View the best deals on group tours in Oceania & Australia here .

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

Travel Planning Resources

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

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 5% off Heymondo)  & SafetyWing

🚌 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.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 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.

📶  Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)

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

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Things To Do

Top attractions.

Discover the stunning paradise of Vanuatu where cascading waterfalls and breathtaking natural wonders meet lush, cool jungles and white sandy beaches. Just a few hours from Australia and New Zealand, Vanuatu is the ideal location for a romantic escape or fun-filled family holiday.

Couples, families, adrenalin junkies and serenity seekers will all find plenty to do.  

So slow down and relax in the moment, and work up the energy to indulge in a plethora of invigorating experiences. From climbing to the rim of an active volcano, to soaking yourself under a stunning waterfall, day cruising between islands or careering through the jungle on a buggy fun adventure; Vanuatu has a wide range of activities that will make your holiday truly memorable.

A Guide by We are Explorers

We've asked some of the key journalists who've traveled the world and visited Vanuatu to share with us their favorite experiences. Henry Brydon from We Are Explorers shares with us his three most memorable moments throughout Vanuatu.

A guide by Diveplanit

We've asked some of the key journalists who've traveled the world and visited Vanuatu to share with us their favorite experiences. Deb from Diveplanit shares with us her three most memorable #vanuatumoments throughout Vanuatu.

A guide by Grumpy Turtle

We've asked some of the key journalists who've travelled the world and visited Vanuatu to share with us their favourite experiences. Harriet from Grumpy Turtle shares with us her three most memorable #vanuatumoments throughout Vanuatu.

Vanuatu Insiders Guide

When you're travelling, it's one thing to read the guide book, but it's another to get the local word on what's hot and be pointed toward a #vanuatumoment. We've asked Vanuatu locals, some of whom you may meet when you visit, what their hidden spots are throughout Vanuatu.

Extraordinary Blue Holes

Vanuatu’s blue holes must be seen to be believed. Flashing sapphire amid the lush jungle, the swimming holes seem too perfect to be natural. Many are the product of freshwater springs trickling from the belly of the islands’ mountains, while some oscillate with the tide, filling with fish that dart in their crystal depths like wondrous, native aquariums.

Incredible natural attractions to visit

Top Ten Incredible Natural Attractions in Vanuatu Working on your tan in Port Vila is certainly a lovely way to spend the day, but there’s plenty of beauty outside the big Vanuatu hotels. On distant islands scattered throughout the archipelago, you’ll find bubbling volcanoes, sugar-white beaches, coral reefs, remote waterfalls and sweeping volcanic ash plains. Natural attractions are pretty much Vanuatu’s major export, drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Hikes that can't be missed

As you might expect from a jungle-covered volcanic archipelago, Vanuatu has some of the best tropical trekking in the world. And it’s not all stunning mountain vistas either. Where else can you hike to the rim of an active volcano, sleep in kastom villages, sip kava with Ni-Vanuatu chiefs, or cool off beneath aquamarine limestone waterfalls? More developed islands like Santo and Efate are great for short, half-day hikes, or you can head further afield, to Malekula or Ambrym, and tackle sweaty, multi-day jungle treks. Wherever you walk, you’ll be greeted with megawatt smiles and some truly epic scenery.

Best beaches & spectacular swimming

From Insta-worthy swimming holes to impressive waterfalls and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, there are so many great places to cool off in Vanuatu. You might be surprised by your favourite swimming spots in Vanuatu, they’re not always the ones you’d expect.

top 10 tastes

With limited technology and resources, almost everything grown on the islands is organic, hand-picked and bursting with tropical flavours. Ni-Vanuatu people are fiercely passionate about what they do, and creating great food, or kaikai as they call it in Bislama, is no exception.

Best places to reconnect

There’s a lot more to Vanuatu than white sandy beaches and palm trees (although we certainly have those as well). The tropical archipelago offers countless places to relax and revitalise. Turn on your out of office, put your phone away and let yourself rediscover what it feels like to be truly connected.

Experience local culture & kastom

Kastom is the beating heart of Vanuatu culture, passed down from generation to generation. It covers everything from art and mysticism to island economics. You can’t really understand modern Ni-Vanuatu culture without understanding kastom.

Go on a family adventure

If you have ever travelled with kids, you will have heard "I’m bored" more times than you care to remember. Not in Vanuatu! As well as the facilities in your resort or hotel, such as man-made swimming pools and kids’ clubs run by enthusiastic locals, the tours and natural excursions in Vanuatu are a chance to experience new things with your kids. Family holidays here will have them on the edge of their seats with excitement and exhausted by the end of each day.

Top Day trips - Efate

Vanuatu isn’t just an idyllic collection of picture perfect tropical hideaways that promise relaxation, warm waters and golden sunshine, it also boasts an abundance of adventures to suit any intrepid soul. So, leave your shoes at the airport and the crowds behind and let’s make some memories to last a lifetime.

Take the Plunge at Vanuatu’s Must-see Waterfalls

Pack your sense of adventure for a change of pace with our list of iconic Vanuatu waterfalls, some easier to get to than others. If you’re looking for cookie-cutter holidays, maybe look elsewhere. Vanuatu’s charm lies in its access to swathes of untouched islands, all a plane ride or boat trip away.

Tanna your ultimate adventure playground

There are few places in the world where you can start your day scuba diving through seemingly never-ending underwater caverns, and end it overlooking a rumbling active volcano - Tanna’s one of them.

20 Must-do activities in Vanuatu

Whether this is your first visit to Vanuatu or your seventh, there are some things you simply have to do and see to tick off your holiday bucket list. Unexpected experiences await you on the islands of Vanuatu.

The Diver's playground

While snorkeling can offer a glimpse into the world below Vanuatu’s gentle waves, scuba diving immerses you in it. Outstanding locations for diving can be found off Santo, Efate and Tanna, with tours suitable for every level from novice through to expert. Discover life under the sea with Vanuatu’s collection of exceptional dive sites, renowned the world over amongst those in the know.

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• 9 Interesting Facts About Vanuatu

6 Of Vanuatu’s Best Natural Attractions

• What is There to Do in Port Vi-la?
• Welcome to Vanuatu Tourism

Vanuatu has more than its fair share of natural attractions. The islands in South Pacific Ocean are a haven for nature enthusiasts and those who enjoy spending time and doing activities in the great outdoors. It’s an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away and reconnect with the natural world, whether they’re into adventurous pursuits or more leisurely pastimes.

In this post, we’ll round up some of the top natural attractions that the island country of Vanuatu has to offer. Keep on reading to get an idea of what you can experience if you decide to make a visit.

These are freshwater lagoons that are ideal places to go and do some swimming. There are loads of these found throughout Vanuatu’s jungles and some of them have useful infrastructure built around them, including

• Public bathrooms
• Changing rooms
• Dive platforms – great for thrillseekers!

You usually have to pay a small fee to visit a blue hole, though the price is well worth it. Espiritu Santo, the largest of Vanuatu’s islands, is home to a greater concentration of blue holes than anywhere else in the world. So, if you like the sound of these natural plunge pools, this island is where you need to be heading.

Millennium Cave

This is the largest cave in all of Vanuatu and it offers stunning scenery. Visiting this im-pressive geological formation is an experience in itself, thanks to the journey you have to make there and back. The cave is located on Espiritu Santo and tours can be booked at the city of Luganville. You set off from there and head to a village, Funaspef. Then, you embark on a rather challenging hiking trail that takes you to the cave in about an hour and a half.

After you’ve explored the cave, you’ll get to relax in natural forest pools surrounded by waterfalls, before making your way back to the tour’s starting point. The tour is great for those who enjoy physical activities and the time you have in the cave is worth all the time you spend getting there.

Louniel Beach

If it’s beaches of white sand you’re after, you won’t struggle to find them in Vanuatu. Since the country is made up of over 80 islands, there are more than enough beaches to choose from. While most of them have white sand, a handful has volcanic sand that’s black in colour.

Mount Yasur

Speaking of Mount Yasur, it’s very much an attraction itself. This volcano, which suppos-edly enticed Captain Cook to visit the island back in 1774, is actually one of the most ac-tive in the world today. You may think that visiting the volcano isn’t possible; in fact, the opposite the true as it’s very accessible.

If you’d like to visit the top of the volcano and see some stunning volcanic scenery up close, there are local guides who will accompany you. It’s possible to visit on your own, but it’s recommended that you go with a guide.

The visit to Mount Yasur includes a drive up to one of the highest parts of the volcano. From there, you set off on a short hike to the top that lasts roughly 10 minutes or so. There are some climbing rails on the way to help you, though the crater itself doesn’t have any viewing platforms or fences. This is most likely why having a guide accompany you is advised.

Mount Benbow and Mount Marum

These are two active volcanoes located on Ambrym Island. Whereas Mount Yasur is quite easily accessible, these two aren’t. Getting to the tops of these volcanos requires several hours of hiking across rugged terrain that can be challenging to traverse in places. There-fore, visiting these volcanoes is something that’s better suited to those who are in good health and reasonably fit.

There are several guided hiking tours that let you access one, or both, of these volca-noes. The length of the tours varies depending on what settlement you’re setting off from. Some can be completed in a single day, while some require an overnight stay. There’s a lot of effort involved in reaching the summits of these volcanoes, but the reward is well worth it, especially if it happens to be a clear day when you’re at the top. The views of the island below and the magma boiling away in the crater are mesmerising.

Mele Cascades

Mele Cascades is a series of terraced pools that are dotted along a rocky hillside. The wa-ter that flows through these pools ends in a spectacular waterfall some 35 metres tall. For those who dream of swimming beneath cascading water in a lush jungle setting, a trip to Mele Cascades is a must.

This attraction can be found on the island of Efate and is not too far a drive from Port Vila. If you do end up visiting, be sure to follow the path to the top of the waterfall – don’t worry, there’s a rope to guide you and keep you safe!

World countries facts

• World countries
• Australia-Oceania
• Tourist attractions

Republic of Vanuatu Australia-Oceania Port-Vila 266,937 inhabitants 12,189 sq km 21.90 inhabitants/sq km vatu (VUV) population evolution

Top tourist attractions in Vanuatu

Here is a list of top tourist attractions in Vanuatu . Only the topmost tourist destinations are presented here. To see other destinations, please check the images from Vanuatu section.

Curious if any of these place from Vanuatu made it our best tourist attractions in the world list? Read the aformentioned article in order to find out.

You can also view all tourist attractions in Vanuatu and other countries on our tourist attractions map .

Mount Yasur

Mount Yasur is an active volcano on Tanna Island, Vanuatu with a height of 361 m above sea level, located on the coast near Sulphur Bay. It lies to the southeast of the taller Mount Tukosmera, which was active in the Pleistocene. It has a largely unvegetated pyroclastic cone with a nearly circular summit crater 400 m in diameter. It is a stratovolcano, caused by the eastward-moving Indo-Australian Plate being subducted under the westward-moving Pacific Plate. It has been erupting nearly continuously for over 800 years, although it can usually be approached safely. Its eruptions, which often occur several times an hour, are classified as Strombolian or Vulcanian. The glow of the volcano was apparently what attracted Captain James Cook on the first European journey to the island in 1774. Today the mountain is a sacred area for the John Frum cargo cult. Members of the cult revere John Frum, a deified messenger who foretold the bringing of wealth to the island by American forces, and believe he resides in Mount Yasur with his countrymen. The village of Sulphur Bay, the center of the movement, claims the volcano as part of their territory.

Champagne Beach

Champagne Beach is a popular beach located on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. It is famous for its beautiful white sandy beaches, one of the best in the South Pacific. It is visited regularly by tourists and cruise boats from Australia. Its waters are very clear. Champagne Beach is located in adjacent and close proximity to Hog Harbour village on the northeast of Santo. 15°08′38″S 167°07′13″E / 15.143792°S 167.120381°E There is also a Champagne Beach located on the island of Dominica in Caribbean Sea south of Roseau. This beach was named "Champagne Beach" because of small gas bubbles continuously rise from the volcanic sea floor creating fantastic underwater scenery, which is with combination of crystal clear water and extensive marine life is perfect for snorkeling and diving. The beach itself is very rocky with black volcanic sand in spots.