🌟 What to Do & Local Tips
Explore experiences and tips to get the most from your trip in Vanuatu
The ground shakes a second before the eruption arrives — a deep vibration you feel in your feet before the fireball tears open the sky. That’s Mt Yasur on a calm night. On a rough one, the sound rolls across Tanna’s ash plain for kilometers. This is what you came to Vanuatu for.
But the volcano is only one reason to come. Vanuatu has world-class wreck diving at the SS President Coolidge, where an entire Art Deco luxury liner sits in 20–70 meters of water off Santo. Champagne Beach, where volcanic gas bubbles through white sand shallows at low tide. Blue holes so shockingly turquoise they look edited. Kastom villages where land-diving has been practiced on Pentecost for centuries before bungee jumping existed.
The activity market is well-developed in Port Vila and reasonable in Santo. On Tanna and the outer islands, your guide is the experience. Vanuatu rewards those who slow down and let the country come to them.
📍 Book Activities & Experiences
Mt Yasur Volcano — Afternoon Tour
Seven-hour guided tour to Tanna’s active volcano, departing mid-afternoon to arrive at the crater rim at dusk. Watch eruptions glow orange as daylight fades — the most dramatic timing. All entry fees and transfer from Tanna Island included. Safety briefing in English. Rated 4.9 stars. Not recommended for those with mobility issues or heart conditions.
More info →Mele Cascades Waterfall Tour
Three-hour tour to Mele Cascades, 10km from Port Vila. Jungle trail through tropical rainforest, swimming under tiered waterfalls, visit to Mele village to see traditional handicrafts. Round-trip hotel transfer included. Cold drinks and seasonal fruit provided. Suitable for all fitness levels with waterproof footwear. One of Port Vila’s most popular half-day activities.
More info →Hideaway Island, Blue Lagoon & Turtle Experience
Six hours combining Hideaway Island marine sanctuary snorkeling, the Blue Lagoon, and a turtle sanctuary visit. Hotel pickup from Port Vila, BBQ lunch on the beach included. Snorkel gear provided. 4.2 stars from 70 reviews. Hideaway Island has one of the world’s few underwater post boxes — buy a waterproof postcard and post it mid-dive.
More info →Tanna: Blue Cave Boat Tour with Snorkeling
Two-hour boat tour to Tanna’s Blue Cave — a sea cave with electric-blue filtered light and calm water for swimming. Snorkeling above coral formations outside the cave entrance. Perfect as a morning add-on to an afternoon volcano tour, making Tanna a full day without the overnight stay. Specific tour t1075249.
More info →⭐ Top Experiences in Vanuatu
⭐ Mt Yasur Volcano
Tanna’s active volcano has erupted continuously for over 800 years. Stand at the caldera rim and watch lava fountains erupt several times per hour. Reach via 40-minute flight from Port Vila. Sunset tours most dramatic. Entry fees through guide. The world’s most accessible active volcano.
More info →⭐ Mele Cascades
Tiered waterfalls 10km from Port Vila, ranked #3 attraction in Port Vila with 4.5 stars. A 20-minute rainforest walk leads to swimming cascades. Entry around 2,000 VUV. Locally owned — revenue supports surrounding villages. Open daily. Water shoes recommended. Allow 2 hours minimum.
More info →⭐ SS President Coolidge
Luganville, Espiritu Santo. A WWII luxury liner sunk in 1942 lying in 20–70 meters. One of the world’s greatest wreck dives. Dive inside: a statue called “The Lady”, gas masks, jeeps, guns, ceramic tiles. Accessible to recreational divers from 20m. Full gear available at dive shops in Luganville.
More info →⭐ Ekasup Cultural Village
Most representative kastom village on Efate, located in the Erakor rainforest 5km from Port Vila. Demonstrations of medicinal plants, fire-walking, traditional weaving, singing, and kastom food. Friday Feast Night (3,100 VUV adults) with kava, entertainment, and buffet. Booking through Nafonu Tatoka Tours: tatokatours@vanuatu.com.vu. Allow 2 hours.
⭐ Champagne Beach
Espiritu Santo. Consistently rated one of the Pacific’s best beaches. White horseshoe sand, coconut palms, turquoise water. Volcanic gas bubbles through the shallow water at low tide — the fizzing you feel on your feet. Excellent snorkeling on the left side. 45 minutes by car from Luganville. Combine with Blue Hole and Million Dollar Point on a full-day Santo tour.
More info →⭐ Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary
A small island resort accessible by water taxi from Port Vila. Snorkel directly from the beach over coral gardens. The world’s only underwater post box — buy a waterproof postcard from the resort, write it underwater, and post it for real delivery. Turtles, parrotfish, and rays visible from the surface. Entry by resort day pass.
More info →⭐ Million Dollar Point
Luganville, Espiritu Santo. The US military dumped millions of dollars’ worth of WWII equipment — jeeps, bulldozers, trucks, refrigerators — into the sea here rather than sell it cheaply after the war. Now a remarkable snorkeling site with circuit boards, wheels, and military hardware embedded in coral. Free to enter; mask and fins all you need.
More info →⭐ Matevulu Blue Hole
Espiritu Santo. The most accessible of Santo’s famous blue holes — a freshwater spring emerging through limestone bedrock that filters the water to a near-supernatural shade of turquoise-blue. Wooden platforms, rope swings, and completely clear water to the bottom. Entry around 500 VUV. 20 minutes from Luganville by car. Cold water, bring a light jacket.
More info →⭐ Nagol Land Diving — Pentecost
April to June, Pentecost Island. Men and boys jump headfirst from 30-meter bamboo towers with only a vine around each ankle — the original bungee jump, practiced for centuries. A rite of passage and harvest ceremony. Spectators welcome. Day tours from Port Vila available via Air Vanuatu. One of the most extraordinary cultural events in the Pacific.
More info →⭐ Port Vila Market
The Saturday morning market on Port Vila’s waterfront is the best in Vanuatu. Taro, tropical fruit, fresh fish, kava roots, woven baskets, tamtam drums, carved masks, and siapo cloth. Best before 9am. Buy directly from village producers who arrive by boat from outer islands. Prices are fair; bargaining is gentle. Essential introduction to Ni-Vanuatu daily life.
More info →📋 Booking Tips
- Book volcano tours on Tanna at least 48 hours ahead: Most tours require advance flights — confirm your Air Vanuatu seat before booking any tour on-island
- Champagne Beach needs a 4WD: The road from Luganville is unsealed in sections. Book a vehicle at the same time as your accommodation if you plan to drive there independently
- Cash for entry fees: Mele Cascades, Ekasup Village, blue holes, and most cultural sites are cash only. Stock up in Port Vila before heading to outer islands
- Dry season (May–Oct) for volcano and hiking: Mt Yasur is accessible year-round but dry season offers clearer views and less ash-plain mud
- Land-diving is seasonal: Nagol on Pentecost runs April–June only. Book day trips from Port Vila well in advance — flights fill up on performance days
💡 Local Tips
Everything you need to know before you go
💡 Essential Info
VUV / Vatu
Vanuatu Vatu
Cards accepted at hotels and larger restaurants in Port Vila. Cash essential everywhere else — markets, outer islands, entry fees, small operators, village stays. Stock up on Vatu in Port Vila before departing for Santo or Tanna. No ATMs outside the main towns.
Bislama, English & French
All three are official. English and French are used in government, education, and tourism. Bislama (a creole English) is the everyday national language. Most tourism workers speak English. On outer islands, local kastom languages dominate.
+678
Emergency: 112 (all emergencies)
Digicel is the main carrier with 4G in Port Vila and Luganville. Coverage on Tanna is 3G in Lenakel; remote interior areas have no signal. Download offline maps before leaving Port Vila. Digicel SIMs available at the airport and Port Vila shops.
Malaria exists in some outer islands — check current recommendations for your specific itinerary. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines recommended. Tap water generally safe in Port Vila; use bottled or purified water on outer islands and in villages. Dengue risk — use repellent. Medical facilities limited to Port Vila and Luganville.
🤝 Cultural Tips
💵 Tipping
Tipping is not a traditional part of Ni-Vanuatu culture and is not expected. A small tip to a guide who provided exceptional service is appreciated — 500 VUV to 1,000 VUV is generous. Never expected; never obligatory.
👋 Greetings
“Halo!” or “Good morning/afternoon” works everywhere. A small attempt at Bislama (“Tank yu tumas” = thank you very much) creates genuine warmth. When entering a village, ask permission and wait to be welcomed in. Kastom protocol varies by island — follow your guide’s lead.
🍽️ Dining
Must-try: Laplap (yam or taro pounded and baked in banana leaves with coconut cream and meat), tuluk (similar with pork), fresh crab, kokoda (raw fish marinated in lemon and coconut milk), and kava at a nakamal after sunset.
Pace: Relaxed. Small Port Vila restaurants are excellent — French-influenced menus with local seafood.
👠 Kastom Land
Everything is someone’s land. Always ask permission before entering beaches, forests, or village areas. Entry fees at many sites go directly to the landowning village — pay them willingly. Never enter a nakamal (kava house) uninvited. Follow your guide’s instructions at cultural sites at all times.
👔 Dress Code
Villages: Always cover shoulders and knees when entering any village or cultural site. Remove shoes before entering any traditional structure. Women should carry a light wrap or sarong. Port Vila and resort areas are relaxed — beachwear stays at the beach.
🚨 Safety & Health
- Vanuatu is safe for tourists — violent crime against visitors is rare and communities are genuinely hospitable
- Volcanic activity can increase without warning — always follow your guide’s instructions at Mt Yasur and check the VMGD (Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department) alert level before visiting
- Ocean currents along exposed coasts can be strong — ask locals before swimming in unfamiliar spots, especially on windward island coasts
- Cyclone season runs November–April. Most cyclones give several days’ warning — follow official advice from the NDMO (National Disaster Management Office)
- Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for some outer islands — check specifically for Malekula, Ambae, and Tafea province destinations
- Medical facilities in Port Vila (Vila Central Hospital) and Luganville (Northern District Hospital) are the only full-service hospitals. Medical evacuation insurance is essential for outer island travel
💰 Money-Saving Secrets
- Mele Cascades entry (2,000 VUV) and a local bus (200 VUV each way) make for a half-day that costs almost nothing — far better value than joining an organized tour
- Port Vila’s local restaurants and nakamals serve excellent meals for 500 VUV to 1,500 VUV — vastly cheaper than resort dining
- Kava at a nakamal costs 200 VUV to 400 VUV per shell — the most authentic and cheapest evening activity in Vanuatu
- Dive packages in Santo work out significantly cheaper per dive than single dives — commit to a multi-day package if the Coolidge wreck is your main reason for visiting
- Saturday morning market has the best prices and freshest produce — arrive by 8am before the best fish and craft sells out
- Combine Tanna activities in one trip — flying there once and doing both the volcano tour and the blue cave in the same trip saves one round-trip airfare
📅 Best Time to Visit
Wet Season (Nov–Apr)
Hot and humid, 27–32°C. Heavy tropical rain, often in short bursts. Cyclone risk January–March.
✔ Pros: Lush green landscape, lower accommodation rates, fewer crowds, diving conditions still good, waterfalls at peak flow
✘ Cons: Cyclone risk, ash plain at Yasur turns to mud, some outer islands difficult to access, high humidity
Nagol Season (Apr–Jun)
Transitioning to dry, 25–30°C. Good weather developing.
✔ Pros: Land-diving on Pentecost (April–June), temperatures comfortable, shoulder pricing, all activities accessible
✘ Cons: Some rain still possible April–May, Pentecost day trips fill up fast — book early
Dry Season (May–Oct)
Dry and warm, 22–28°C. Southeast trade winds. Best overall weather.
✔ Pros: Best weather, clearest water for diving and snorkeling, all sites accessible, volcano visits most comfortable
✘ Cons: Higher prices July–September, Australian and NZ school holidays bring more visitors, book ahead for popular dive lodges
Peak (Jul–Sep)
Perfect dry weather, 22–27°C. Very reliable sunshine.
✔ Pros: Best diving visibility, coolest temperatures, all operators active, reliable flights
✘ Cons: Most expensive period, dive lodges in Santo and volcano tours on Tanna book out — reserve 2–3 months ahead