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Voykit

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

VanuatuVanuatu

First trip: Port Vila on Efate for 3–4 nights, then one outer island by domestic flight (Tanna for the volcano or Espiritu Santo for beaches and wreck diving) for 3–4; do not try to add a third island without spare days.

Not field-verified

Vanuatu is about 80 islands with Port Vila as the main gateway and Espiritu Santo as the second. Everything beyond Efate depends on small domestic flights that are often rescheduled, so add buffer days. It sits on an active volcanic and earthquake zone, is exposed to cyclones from November to April, and has malaria on most islands outside Port Vila.

All regions, cities and parks in Vanuatu (Atlas) →

Regions

Efate (Port Vila)planned

Arrival base; lagoon, markets and island-circle drive

3–4 nights

Espiritu Santoplanned

Beaches, blue holes and the SS President Coolidge wreck dive; has its own international links

3–5 nights

Tannaplanned

Mount Yasur volcano and kastom villages; basic bungalows

2–3 nights

Arrive

VLI

Bauerfield International (Port Vila)

Main gateway; flights from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia; 10 minutes to town

SON

Santo-Pekoa (Luganville)

Second international gateway on Espiritu Santo

Time math

5 days
Port Vila 5, with a day trip or boat day around Efate
8 days
Port Vila 3 + Tanna 2 (volcano) + Port Vila 1 + buffer 2
12 days
Port Vila 3 + Espiritu Santo 4 + Tanna 3 + Port Vila 2

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • Many nationalities receive a visitor permit on arrival, but rules vary by passport: check the Vanuatu Immigration and Passport Services Department before booking.
  • Land, beaches and many attractions are owned by local communities: pay the custom or landowner fee where asked, and ask before entering villages.
  • Volcano visits (Yasur on Tanna, Ambrym and others) follow official alert levels: go only with local guides and follow closures.

Etiquette

  • Dress modestly outside resorts: cover shoulders and thighs in villages and towns.
  • Ask before photographing people and kastom ceremonies; some sites are off-limits.
  • Kava bars (nakamal) are quiet places; keep voices low and follow local lead.
  • Sunday is a church day; many services close.
Independence Day (Jul 30)
National holiday with celebrations in Port Vila; offices close.
Cyclone season (Nov–Apr)
Storms can close airports and cut outer-island flights for days.
Christmas and New Year
Peak for Australian and New Zealand visitors; Port Vila resorts fill.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 3/5

  • Currency is the vatu (VUV, VT). Cards work in Port Vila and Luganville hotels and larger shops; outer islands are cash only.
  • ATMs are in Port Vila and Luganville; withdraw before flying to Tanna or other islands.
  • Tipping and bargaining are not customary.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Safety

  • Volcanoes: check alert levels before visiting Yasur, Ambrym, Ambae or Gaua; closures can be sudden.
  • Earthquakes are frequent; Port Vila was hit by a strong quake in December 2024. Know the tsunami routes where you stay.
  • Cyclones (Nov–Apr): follow official warnings; flights and boats stop.
  • Malaria is present outside Port Vila: take medical advice and use repellent and nets.
  • Traffic drives on the right; minibuses marked 'B' are shared taxis around Port Vila.

Vanuatu sits between Fiji and New Caledonia; Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland, Nadi and Nouméa are short flights.

Open Oceania

Sources