All your tropical island dreams rolled into one

Whether your tropical island dreams involve nature, culture or adventure, quality beach time or exotic fruit feasts (or all of the above), Vanuatu delivers.

First stop: Port Vila, on the beautiful island of Efate. Vanuatu’s breezy harbourside capital is home to its international airport, and is your gateway to all the wonders this stunning South Pacific nation has to offer. It’s also a popular holiday spot. Gorgeous beaches and waterfalls, bustling markets and captivating cultural experiences are just the start.

Beyond Efate, take your pick from more than 80 islands, each with its unique charms. Trek to magical caves hidden deep in the jungle. Clamber up active volcanoes. Visit tribal villages. Float in aquamarine lagoons, bask on deserted beaches, and dive famous wrecks.

And don’t forget to set your watch to island time... (better yet, leave it at home!)

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Cheap flights to Port Vila (Vanuatu)

Things to do: Port Vila

  • Aerial view of stunning Champagne Beach, all aquamarine water, white sand and lush vegetation. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Image credit: Adobe Stock.

    Live your best beach life

    You're in Vanuatu: you know what that means. Time to hit the beach! With its white sand, tranquil water and kid-friendly rock pools, Eton Beach (40 minutes north of Port Vila) is postcard perfection. Catch a banana boat to Hideaway and Lelepa Islands, both famous for brilliant snorkelling. Soak up the soul-soothing beauty of Port Olry and Champagne Beaches (Espiritu Santo) or buck the trend and head to Tanna’s volcanic black sand beaches. Meanwhile, surfers will rejoice at Vanuatu’s world-class (and wonderfully uncrowded) breaks.
  • Sparks fly as a fire-dancer performs a traditional dance in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

    Get to know the local culture

    Get a fascinating glimpse into Vanuatu's rich heritage through ‘kastom’, the country’s traditional culture. Visit a tribal community such as Ekasup Cultural Village (not far from Port Vila) and learn about time-honoured customs from the village chief. Wander the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, take a hiking tour with a local guide, buy locally handcrafted jewellery, and be hypnotised by a fire-dancing ceremony. Spanning everything from art, dance and medicine to the UNESCO-listed practice of sand-drawing, kastom will show you another side of Vanuatu.
  • The glorious aquamarine waters of the Blue Lagoon near Port Vila, Vanuatu.

    Get fresh at blue holes and waterfalls

    Not all of Vanuatu’s aquatic charms are coastal so make time for some freshwater fun inland. Expect glorious waterfalls nestled amid tropical jungle and blue holes with water so iridescent it looks Photoshopped. Within easy reach of Port Vila, you’ll find the aptly named Blue Lagoon as well as several tumbling falls, including the iconic Mele Cascades. Hop from one magical blue hole to another on Espiritu Santo (which boasts more than a dozen!) or get adventurous on a guided hike to the South Pacific’s tallest falls, Siri Waterfalls (Gaua).
  • The mighty volcano Mt Yasur puts on a fiery show, Tanna, Vanuatu.

    Climb an active volcano

    Turn up the holiday heat by climbing an active volcano and peering into its molten heart. Vanuatu is dotted with active (and dormant, if that’s more your thing) volcanoes, some of which are surprisingly easy and safe to trek – including the famously fiery Mt Yasur on Tanna island. After a 45-minute hike (best taken with a guide) up its jungly slope, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable show as regular bursts of bright-red magma and rock roar into the sky. Benbow and Marum (Ambrym island) and far-flung Mt Garet (Gaua island) will also thrill lava-lovers!
  • Brightly coloured, handwoven baskets for sale at a crafts market on Tanna island, Vanuatu.

    Shop for souvenirs and local produce

    Enjoy the best kind of sensory overload at Vanuatu’s markets. Buzzing with activity, colour and culture, the harbourside Port Vila Markets (known also as the Mamas’ Market, for the brightly dressed female stallholders) is your go-to for delicious local cuisine and fresh tropical fruit. Wander its neighbouring handicraft markets for souvenirs and gifts, and buy vibrant textiles and traditional handicrafts direct from the artisans who created them. Cash is generally king in Vanuatu, so bring your vatu.
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Airport information

Bauerfield International Airport (Port Vila – VLI)

Distance to city centre 5km

Taxi A taxi from the airport to Port Vila takes about 10 minutes and costs around VUV 2,000-3,000VT. Make sure you agree on your fare with the driver before you get in: taxis in Vanuatu don’t have meters. The taxi rank is directly outside the arrivals area.

Bus You can also catch a local bus from the airport, which costs around VUV 1,500VT per person.

Shuttle Some resorts and hotels have shuttle services from the airport, so it’s worth checking before you fly.

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When to go

Tropical Vanuatu has distinct wet and dry seasons. Warm enough for swimming but not uncomfortably hot, the dry season (April to September) is the most popular time to visit. The wet season (October to March) brings lots of rain, extra humidity, higher temperatures, and the occasional cyclone.

Vanuatu’s festivals and cultural events are lively and diverse. Naghol (land diving) ceremonies take place between April and June. The original inspiration for bungee jumping, this ancient practice is a great introduction to ‘kastom’, the local culture. Fanla Cultural Festival (July or August) is a colourful two-day celebration centred around a traditional dance, while John Frum Day (February) is an intriguing throwback to WWII cargo cults. Music festivals like Fete de la Musique (June) and Fest’Napuan are always a blast.

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Getting around

You've got plenty of options for getting around Port Vila and surrounds, including hiring a car or bike, catching a cab or taking the bus. Buses (mini-vans seating about 10 people) are a fun way to meet the locals. They don’t follow a regular route or timetable: just hail one when you see it and tell the driver where you want to go. The fare is usually VUV 150VT per person.

To visit the small islands near Port Vila, like those along the Havannah or Taleva coasts, catch a banana boat. For more distant islands (Espiritu Santo or Tanna, for example), you can take a ferry or a cargo ship if time allows, or fly. Travelling between islands takes planning, but is well worth it. Staff at your accommodation should be able to give you some tips.

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