Major city · Vanuatu
White Sands
Spend 1–2 days at White Sands, explore the coastal villages on foot; arrange any volcano viewing with local guidance.
White Sands on Tanna island is a cluster of coastal villages with easy foot access, close to active Mount Yasur. One to two days let you see the beach, local life and the volcano at sunset.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VUV
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid check
- Airport
- TNV
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Vanuatu ↗Many nationalities receive a visitor permit on arrival, but rules vary by passport: check the Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Department before booking.
- Vanuatu ↗Land, beaches and many attractions are owned by local communities: pay the custom or landowner fee where asked, and ask before entering villages.
- Vanuatu ↗Volcano visits (Yasur on Tanna, Ambrym and others) follow official alert levels: go only with local guides and follow closures.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for White Sands111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about White Sands, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the vatu (VUV, VT).Vanuatu-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel and Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL) sell SIMs in Port Vila and at the airport; passport registration is required.Vanuatu-wide
- Tap waterPort Vila's water is treated but many visitors buy bottled; on islands, drink boiled, filtered or bottled water.Vanuatu-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; locals do not tip.Vanuatu-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Vanuatu-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; watch volcanic activity alerts and be cautious on wet, slippery roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; composting or pit toilets in outer-island bungalows.Vanuatu-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police · 112 ambulance · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday closes most shops and village activity; government offices shut on public holidays; outer-island bungalows can close in Feb–Mar.Vanuatu-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTNV White Grass Airport.
- Getting aroundPrimitive dirt roads connect villages; walking is faster than driving.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TNV White Grass Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
White Sands: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Primitive dirt roads connect villages; walking is faster than driving.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Yasur Volcano
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min round trip
Walk from White Sands village, about 30 min along the coast track
Best at dusk for volcanic glow; check local safety notices.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Friendly Bungalows
Beach huts north of White Sands.
Yasur Homestay
Local homestay in White Sands village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- VUV 2,000–3,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- VUV 3,500–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- VUV 6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Meal at a local restaurant | VUV 1,500–2,500 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | VUV 200–300 |
| Taxi (5 km) | VUV 5,000–6,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads are unpaved; rain can make them muddy.
- Mount Yasur eruptions are frequent; keep a safe distance and follow local guidance.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 111
- Ambulance
- 112
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
White SandsWhite Sands
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Plis go long disfala adresTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police111
- Ambulance112
- Fire113
Embassy
US consular services are in Port Vila; other embassies are in Port Vila as well.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Port Vila → Tanna (domestic flight): ≈ VUV 30,000 one‑way
- Taxi Port Vila Airport → Port Vila centre: ≈ VUV 5,000
Say or show
- Halo — Hello / Excuse me (halo)
- Tangkyu — Thank you (tangkyu)
- Hau mani? — How much? (hau mani?)
- Wea i stap? — Where is the bathroom? (wea i stap?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for White Sands. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a buffer day for domestic flight to Tanna.
- Consider staying in Lenakel for more dining options.
Sources
Ask about White Sands
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