Ever wanted to stand on an active volcano and peer down at a crater filled with fiery lava? Or float in a gem-toned natural pool, surrounded by swaying palms and oversize ferns? How about swimming to an underwater post office, staying in an overwater bungalow, or being suspended high above the jungle canopy, moments away from the ultimate adrenaline rush when you (and your trusty safety harness) are pushed over the edge?
These are just some of the wonders found in Vanuatu, a far-flung getaway that’s big on stunning scenery and unforgettable adventures.
This South Pacific archipelago is situated between Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, boasting more than 80 idyllic islands and islets with secluded lagoons, pristine reefs, towering peaks and cascading waterfalls.
The main islands are Efate (where the capital Port Vila is, and most visitors will start their trip), Tanna and Espiritu Santo. About 325-thousand people call the Melanesian nation home, which is also rich in culture and long standing traditions in the local villages where few things have changed over generations.
Yes, there are high-end resorts which makes Vanuatu popular with the sun-seeking package holiday crowd from New Zealand and Australia, but it’s also a developing nation.
Creature comforts can be hard to come by outside of the capital, you (blissfully) won’t find big chain stores here and most of the outlying islands don’t have much in the way of paved roads or air conditioning.
The payoff is the chance to explore a place that still feels somewhat undiscovered that has hardly been touched by time.
Here are the best things to do in Vanuatu, and tips on how to curate your own Vanuatu itinerary.
Port Vila, Efate: 3-4 days
Most people kick off their adventure in the capital Port Vila on the island of Efate, which has the main international airport (VLI), dozens of hotels and resorts, and all sorts of fun tours whether you’re after relaxation, an adrenaline rush or a more cultural experience.
READ MORE: Efate island guide: Best things to do in Port Vila, Vanuatu
The city centre is less than a 10 minute drive away, and while the outskirts feel very undeveloped the main area of town is teeming with activity.
A presidential palace perched high on a hill overlooks all the action, including the bustling Lini Highway–a main street lined with shops, banks, administrative buildings, restaurants, cafes and the public market (which is worth a quick walk-through—I promise you’ve never seen so many bananas in your life!)
Some of the best things to do in and around Port Vila are:
Blue Lagoon
Spending an afternoon at the tranquil Blue Lagoon was one of my absolute favourite Vanuatu activities: the water is truly so gorgeous! The natural swimming holes are the perfect place to cool off, and are framed by picnic areas and wooden platforms to lounge around on.
Chances are you’ll see at least a few people doing their best Tarzan impression while launching into the water off of one of the rope swings!
Pepeyo Cultural Village
Get a glimpse at the traditional way of life in Vanuatu during a visit to the Pepeyo Cultural Village just outside the city. About 30 people live here, and welcome guests daily to learn about wild game trapping, fishing, how they use spider webs to make fishing lines, and use medicinal plants.
Warriors perform a series of songs and dances, and you’ll even get to watch a fire walker. Some tour companies also include a visit to an elementary school just down the road, where you’ll get to meet the sweet students and see what classrooms are like in Vanuatu. Click here to book
Eden on the River
A series of suspension bridges wind around this emerald river, which is accessed by a set of stairs hidden by the thick jungle.
Small cascades create tiny pools to dip your feet in, and while it’s not as easy to swim in as the Blue Lagoon due to the current and steep drop-offs, it’s a lovely place to beat the heat for an hour–especially if you end up with the entire place to yourself as I did!
Hideaway Island Resort
Vanuatu has a unique claim to fame, as home to the world’s only underwater post office. You’ll find it at Hideaway Island a short drive from Port Vila, where there’s a small coral atoll surrounded by clear turquoise water, coral reefs and thousands of fish.
Slip on your snorkel gear and swim three metres down to the post office to deliver a special waterproof postcard and have it embossed (instead of stamped) by one of the workers sitting underwater.
Vanuatu Jungle Zipline
Craving a thrilling, sky-high experience? Head to the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, an adventure park about 20 minutes from Port Vila with epic views and attractions guaranteed to get your heart racing.
Six ziplines stretch across 1.5 kilometres worth of ravines and canyons, where riders zoom over thick groves of palm trees and lush foliage just like Tarzan.
The highlight is the Canyon Swing, which is even scarier than it sounds. This isn’t an ordinary swing–in fact, it’s more like a bungee jump! Brave guests stand on a 70-metre-high platform and are harnessed in, then essentially free fall feet-first into the canyon and swing out over the trees.
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Want to get in on the experience, but not so sure about the adrenaline rush? Opt for a walk along the panoramic Sky Bridge, or relax in a Chair in the Air–both offer similar views and are much more chill.
The Sky Bridge is a suspension bridge offering views of the rainforest, a hidden pool and all the way out to Mele Bay. This is also the embarkation point for the chairs, where guests are harnessed into the 70-metre-high suspended, mesh chairs and slowly glide along a zipline towards the centre of the canyon. They can simply relax and enjoy some cool drinks while looking straight down at the jungle canopy and watch riders hoot and holler as they set off on the Canyon Swing.
Book one of these tours to the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline (different packages available):
You’ll want to spend at least three nights on Efate, as many of the top attractions in Vanuatu are found here.
Most only take an hour or two, so the best bet is to join an organized tour that visits multiple sites in a day (this one I booked included the cultural village, visiting an elementary school, Eden River, lunch and the Blue Lagoon) or hire a driver, as public transportation isn’t very reliable around here.
Book one of these popular Port Vila tours:
Where to stay in Port Vila
I unintentionally ended up staying at a number of different resorts during my time in Port Vila, thanks to an unexpectedly longer stay due to flight cancellations by Air Vanuatu. On the plus side, I’m now very qualified about which ones to recommend!
My favourite Port Vila resorts that offer the best value along with a great experience are:
Did you know Vanuatu has overwater bungalows?! You can experience them at the Holiday Inn Resort, which is conveniently just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Port Vila.
There are about 150 rooms (with views of the garden, waterfront or pools) including family suites. The overwater villas are accessed by crossing a small bridge across from the main resort area for extra privacy, and are perched over the emerald green Erakor Lagoon.
There’s also a massive pool area, kids club, multiple bars and restaurants and a day spa. Book on Expedia or Reserve on Booking.com
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Port Vila
The Ramada is also very close to the city centre, but you’d never know it when you step on its tranquil beach overlooking the lagoon.
This 80-room property has the most modern, spacious rooms you’ll find in Port Vila, which are fully-equipped one or two bedroom apartments complete with a kitchen, workspace, large bathroom, dining and seating areas.
On-site amenities include a pool, swim up bar, gym and spa. The clientele here tends to be a bit older than at more family-oriented resorts, which makes the Ramada a good choice for couples wanting rest and relaxation. Book on Expedia or Reserve on Booking.com
Globe Guide note: Iririki Island Resort is a popular, gorgeous property with tons of amenities. However, it’s quite expensive, spread out, requires a lot of stairs to access the beach and a boat ride to get off the resort. Based on that, it’s best suited to travellers who plan on spending most of their time in Port Vila relaxing at Iririki, instead of heading out to explore every day.
Tanna, Vanuatu: 2-3 days
The wild, rugged island of Tanna served as the backdrop for season 9 of Survivor: Vanuatu–Islands of Fire and rightfully so: this is one of only a handful of places on the planet where you can walk on an active volcano.
Located a 45 minute flight south of Port Vila, this is one of the best places in Vanuatu to get your nature fix thanks to its vibrant coral reefs, black sand beaches, hot springs, waterfalls and of course the smouldering Mount Yasur volcano.
There are also quirky treehouse accommodations, fascinating local customs, traditional villages and even some well-known cults, so this is a great area for seeing what life is really like in Vanuatu far away from Port Vila’s westernized resorts.
READ MORE: A complete travel guide to the wild island of Tanna, Vanuatu
There are a couple of nicer, waterfront resorts on Tanna, but other than that it’s not developed at all–in fact, there are very few paved roads so you should absolutely plan to explore with a local tour company.
Some of the best things to do on Tanna Island are:
The Blue Cave
Boat tours head to this rather unassuming cliffside on the west coast, and the real treat is what you’ll find after a quick swim under its rock ledge: a huge, hidden cave, lit up by soft light that emerges from a hole in the ceiling and shines on the turquoise water.
Visit a local village
See firsthand how kastom–the traditional way of life–continues to this day in Tanna. Watch fire-making, weaving demonstrations and dancing where the men wear nambas made from bark or leaves and women don skirts fashioned from woven mats or burao bark.
Mount Yasur volcano tour
No trip to Tanna is complete without exploring the world’s most accessible volcano. The best way to see it is during a guided tour starting during the day and ending at dusk so you can see it in both types of light; full day volcano safaris usually include a picnic lunch, driving on a sea of ashes at the base of the volcano, a beach or village visit and walking around the crater as darkness falls to see the awe-inspiring magma explosions.
Book one of these popular tours in Tanna:
Where to stay on Tanna Island, Vanuatu: White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa
This gorgeous resort is one of the nicest properties on Tanna, situated along the west coast just a few minutes from the airport.
Crashing ocean waves, a pristine coral reef and blue holes are on its doorstep, and the bures are surrounded by lush gardens. There’s a restaurant, spa, pool and dive centre on site, and White Grass also organizes fantastic tours all around the island. Click here to book on Expedia or Reserve on Booking.com
Options for a longer Vanuatu itinerary
Have more time to spend than just one week in Vanuatu? Then head north to the islands of Ambae or Espiritu Santo, where more volcanoes, sparkling beaches and epic dive sites await.
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu’s largest island is the ultimate getaway for those wanting to relax on white-sand beaches and kayak, snorkel or dive in blue holes and crystal clear water teeming with coral reefs. Commonly referred to simply as ‘Santo,’ Luganville is the centre of the action where you’ll find resorts, tour operators, restaurants and the main administration buildings.
It was used as a military base by the United States during WWII, and is now home to one of the island’s most obscure sites: Million Dollar Point. This is where the US army literally sunk a fortune’s worth of goods after British and French colonizers declined to buy it from them for cents on the dollar when the Americans deserted their base, so instead of simply leaving the weapons, tanks, vehicles, heavy equipment and goods behind they pushed it all into the ocean.
Locals managed to salvage some of it, but not before the waters were contaminated. Today, visitors can snorkel or scuba dive through the wreckage.
Other things to see in Santo are:
- SS President Coolidge, a luxury passenger liner that sank in 1942 and is now a dive wreck site.
- Blue Holes like the Matevulu, Nanda and RiRi River Blue Holes which can be experienced by canoe
- Vatthe National Conservation area, an eco-tourism destination home to virgin forests, beaches and more than 85 per cent of Vanuatu’s birds.
Ambae
Another idea is heading to the island of Ambae, which is known for its traditional mat weaving, kava, and home to Vanuatu’s largest volcano.
Mt. Manaro rises nearly 1500 metres above the sea (though its true height is 3900 metres–about half the size of Mt Everest), and its massive crater measures a staggering six kilometres across.
While it’s possible to see the volcano and the lakes within its crater while flying over the island, the best way to experience it is on the Grand Manaro Trek. The hike starts from Ambangga Village, passing through cloud forests and lush ferns en route to Lake Gesa which takes about four hours. This is where most groups set up camp, and then continue a bit farther to explore the steep slopes of the volcano.
Planning a Vanuatu itinerary
So how many days do you need in Vanuatu? Realistically, 7 days is enough to cover the highlights of Efate and one other island, while 10 days should be enough to explore an additional one.
While it’s possible to visit two islands in as little as five days, that would require packing a lot into each day and still only scratch the surface, so first-timers with less than a week in Vanuatu should just stick to Efate.
The best time to visit Vanuatu
Being a tropical country Vanuatu enjoys warm temperatures year round, however the dry season from April to September is considered best as there’s less humidity and rain. I visited in February and March (the wet season) and only experienced a few quick rain showers, so there really isn’t a bad time to visit.
Keep in mind that the islands tend to be busy in December with vacationers celebrating Christmas and school holidays, so accommodation prices are higher.
Getting to Vanuatu
The only way to get to Vanuatu by flying is from Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia and New Zealand. Port Vila is serviced by Fiji Airways (2 ½ hours from Nadi), Qantas, Aircalin (90 minutes from Noumea) and Air New Zealand.
To book domestic flights with Air Vanuatu you must email them directly:
- Australia: sales@airvanuatu.com.au
- New Zealand: airvanuatu@airvanuatu.co.nz
- Vanuatu + Other Countries: reservation@airvanuatu.vu
Other options for flying to islands like Tanna and Santos are via charters like:
- Air Taxi
- Belair Airways
- Unity Airlines
Vanuatu package holidays from Australia and New Zealand can also be a good way to book, since tour operators will arrange flights, accommodation and transfers which usually saves a bit of money off the rack rate.
If you arrive independently at the airport in Port Vila, you can pre-arrange a driver or grab a taxi for what’s usually only about a 10 minute drive to your resort or hotel.
I paid about $10 each way by organizing my transfers with a local company in advance (try Atmosphere Tours, which also organizes excursions); otherwise expect to spend about $20 for the short drive into the city which you’ll need to pay in cash. Money changing services and an ATM are available at the airport.
It’s also possible to visit Vanuatu during a cruise (though this will hardly scratch the surface since guests typically only get about half a day here). Cruise lines that sail to Vanuatu include Princess, Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises and Heritage Expeditions, and usually start in Australia.
Is Vanuatu expensive?
Vanuatu is one of the more budget-friendly destinations in the South Pacific–especially compared to places like French Polynesia and New Caledonia.
That said, you can still expect to spend at least $150 per night for a decent hotel in Port Vila, and $400 per night for some of the fancier resorts like Iririki Island Resort and Warwick Le Lagoon. A more economical option for groups is to rent a luxe villa with multiple bedrooms and a private pool, like the ones found at Waves at Surfside resort.
Entrance fees for activities in Vanuatu can be relatively inexpensive if you happen to have your own transportation, but the price for organized day tours typically runs about $50-$150 per person for organized day tours (which most people do, as it’s not the easiest place to drive.)
Meals at resorts or decent restaurants in Port Vila cost about $20-$30, and taxis to get around Port Vila cost about $5-$20 depending on distance.
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