If you’re planning a trip to Vanuatu then this is the perfect guide to tick some things off your Vanuatu bucket-list! This beautiful nation stretches over 1,300km of the South Pacific and can be easily reached on a 3.5 hour flight from Sydney, Australia. Keep scrolling for all the best things to do in Vanuatu!
I have explored 3 of the most visited islands out of the 83 islands in the archipelago of Vanuatu:
- Espiritu Santo
- Efate (where the capital Port Vila is located)
- Tanna Island
Tips for Travelling Vanuatu
- Travel with an eSim: When I traveled to Vanuatu, I was able to stay connected as soon as I landed with an e-Sim with Airalo.
- Compensation for delayed or canceled flights: If your flights get cancelled or delayed, AirHelp can help you get compensated!
- Trip Advisor: I love using Tripadvisor to discover where to stay, what to do, and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before.
- Book the cheapest Hotels: Whether you’re looking for luxury or budget stays, Trip.com has thousands of options with verified reviews and flexible cancellation policies. (They also do Flights and Rental Cars!)
Top tip: Book early for the best rates, especially during peak seasons! - Car Rental: Anytime I want the cheapest car rental rates I always use Rentalcars.com
The best things to do in Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo is by far my most favourite island in Vanuatu! The food, the friendly locals and all the beautiful, natural places to explore make this island unforgettable.
Espiritu Santo is the largest island in Vanuatu. It’s known for its stunning postcard-perfect beaches, pristine freshwater blue holes and popular snorkelling and diving sites.
These are some of the places you just cannot miss:
- SS Coolidge– a famous shipwreck site from WWII (diving only)
- Million Dollar Point– a great place for snorkeling where the U.S. military dumped millions of dollars worth of goods after the end of WWII.
- Champagne Beach– imagine crystal clear water against soft, white sand.
- Port Orly– this place is a must for lunch! Devour delicious whole lobster and coconut crabs! Also a great place to visit for snorkeling and turtle spotting.
- Aore Island– explore the island’s reef by snorkeling, kayaking or SUP (stand up paddle-boarding). There is also a Freshwater Plantation where you can explore the rain-forest, bat caves and take a guided tour of the cocoa bean plantation.
- Beach Barrier Resort– Highly recommend staying here when staying in Santo. This resort is set on a beautiful beach great for snorkeling and conveniently located close to Luganville and all the popular hot spots around the island.
- Blue Holes– Vanuatu is renowned for their freshwater Blue Holes and Santo is home to some of the best in the country. I visited Matevulu, Riri and Nanda Blue Holes which I found to be the best and most popular to visit on this island.
Not sure what to pack? See my Packing List for more tips!
The best things to do in Efate (Port Vila)
Port Vila is the capital city of Vanuatu located on the island of Efate. This small town is much more energetic than any of the other islands and offers up a supply of souvenirs, markets, and waterfront restaurants and cafés.
These are some amazing things to see and do in Port Vila that definitely can’t be missed:
- Mele Cascades– A series of cascades flowing into aquamarine pools with an impressive 35m waterfall pouring over a natural plunge pool. Perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
- Hideaway Island– a beautiful island resort home to the famous Underwater Post Office!
- Port Vila Market– fresh fruit and veggies and also a great place to try authentic Vanuatu-an dishes (when you’re there at the right time).
- The Reef Vanuatu Zoological– Feed and swim with the turtles at this amazing Turtle Sanctuary.
- Tanna Coffee Factory– learn about how the locals make coffee, try the local products and buy souvenirs
- Blue Lagoon- a large crystal blue swimming hole surrounded by lush natural gardens and trees
The best things to do in Tanna
Home to the world’s most accessible live volcano, the tiny island of Tanna in Vanuatu’s south is the ideal place for adventure seekers.
Tick off some of these unique bucket-list items:
- Mt Yasur Volcano– experience the awesome power of the mighty Mount Yasur Volcano!
- Blue Cave– swim through a small hole into a stunning turquoise grotto which is lit from gorgeous sun rays beaming through a hole in the caves’ roof.
- Port Resolution Bay– see geothermal activity including the hot springs along the black sandy beach.
So what are you going to tick off your Vanuatu Bucket-list?
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