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Lelepa Island. Source: Vanuatu Tourism Office.
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Mota Lava dancers. Source: Vanuatu Tourism Office.
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Blue Lagoon, Port Vila. Source: Vanuatu Tourism Office.
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Kayaking in Espiritu Santo. Source: Vanuatu Tourism Office.
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Ekasup cultural village, Efate. Source: Vanuatu Tourism Office.
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Fire show in Efate. Source: Vanuatu Tourism Office.
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Just three hours’ flight from Australia’s east coast with azure lagoons, volcanic peaks and powdery beaches, Vanuatu is the South Pacific destination that’s been hiding in plain sight. Offering a rare combination of accessible adventure, living culture and raw natural beauty across a staggering 83 islands, with an easy visa on arrival, it’s clear that Vanuatu has a lot more to offer than many Australians realise – and still remains blissfully uncrowded.
It’s closer than you think
One of the most attractive selling points of a trip to Vanuatu is how easy it is to get there. You can arrive in Port Vila (the capital on the main island of Efate) in just three hours by direct flight from Sydney with Jetstar or two-and-a-half hours from Brisbane, with Qantas and Virgin Australia. If you’re looking for a stay on the more remote Espiritu Santo, you can travel with Solomon Airlines direct from Brisbane, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in less than three hours. Add to that a 120-day tourist visa on arrival, and Vanuatu only gets more enticing.
The culture here is unlike anywhere else in the Pacific
Part of Vanuatu’s charm is its culture. The Ni-Vanuatu people are so well known for their easygoing, welcoming ways that they’ve earned Vanuatu the title of ‘Happiest Country in the World’ by Happy Planet Index.
Kastom is a key part of Vanuatu life, comprising cultural practices including traditional dance, ceremonies and a deep connection to spirituality. On Pentecost Island, you can watch men jump from towering wooden scaffolds with vines tied to their ankles; known as Naghol (land diving), this rite of passage is also thought to procure a fruitful yam harvest. In the Vanuatu National Museum in Port Vila, learn all about the mesmerising geometry and single-stroke storytelling of sand drawing – a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage-recognised art.
One of the most important traditions is the preparation of kava. No doubt familiar to travellers who’ve visited other South Pacific destinations, the kava root is a peppery base for this cultural drink, used as readily in ceremonies as it is in social settings. A visit to one of Port Vila’s ‘nakamal’ kava bars will give you a chance to taste this uniquely earthy, tingly brew as you learn more about the process and its significance.
From blue holes to deserted outer islands – the landscapes are next level
The Pacific has plenty of world-famous beaches and reefs, but the raw beauty of Vanuatu is in a category all its own. Central to many of these landscapes is the country’s famous blue holes – collapsed limestone caves that create dazzling swimming holes.
On the main island of Efate, the must-see Blue Lagoon is just a 45-minute drive east of Port Vila, popular with travellers and locals alike. Float in the balmy waters or marvel at the acrobatic skills of the local kids doing impressive dives off the swinging rope. For a more secluded experience, the many blue holes of Espiritu Santo require a 30- to 45-minute paddle upstream to reach them – trust us, the destination is well worth the effort.
In Espiritu Santo, you’ll also find one of the Pacific’s most coveted stretches of sand: Champagne Beach. Named for its flute-like curve and bubbly waters, the beach’s white sands and azure-blue lagoon speak for themselves.
Further afield, the archipelago’s outer islands offer untouched wilderness in the country’s least populated regions. The Torres and Banks Islands of the Torba Province are dotted with traditional villages, lush greenery and pristine shores. Here is where you’ll find Vanuatu’s ancient customs in action, right next to showstopping waterfalls and volcanic terrain. In the Malampa Province, Malekula Island is known for its cultural preservation, from ritual dance and kava ceremonies to yam farming and ancient storytelling.
You can zipline through the jungle and snorkel a coral reef before lunch
For the adrenaline-fuelled wanderer, Vanuatu’s adventure offerings are second-to-none. The SS President Coolidge, off the shores of Espiritu Santo, is one of the world’s most accessible wreck dives. This one-time luxury liner met its fate in World War II, and today offers thrilling descents with eye-catching corals reclaiming the hull.
Snorkelling is just as exciting, with the thriving reef of Hideaway Island easily accessible from the shores of Port Vila. Here, visitors can post special waterproof postcards at the world’s only ‘underwater post office’.
Back on land, there is a plethora of hiking trails to enjoy. The best are often the ones you won’t find on any tourist maps, so be sure to ask the locals for their favourite river walks and waterfall trails – most of them won’t take you too far from the beaten path, but the discovery is half the fun.
Positioned on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, Vanuatu also has several active volcanoes (including some underwater). One of the most easily reached is Mount Yasur on the southeastern island of Tanna. Standing at 361 metres above sea level, the rim of Yasur’s 400-metre-wide crater is accessible with a licensed guide. The hot tip is to plan your visit for sunset, when the darkening night sky throws the glowing lava into stark relief (as an active volcano, it’s important to check with Vanuatu Tourism Office ahead of any planned visit: weather conditions and volcanic forecasts may preclude visitor access at any time).
The resorts are reason enough to come back
Depending on your travel style, Vanuatu’s three main islands offer resort relaxation, adrenaline-fuelled adventure and immersion in nature. First-timers will mostly find themselves on Efate, where Port Vila offers a wide range of stays from intimate, boutique properties – like secluded Nakatumble or the recently relaunched, romantic adults-only Havannah Vanuatu – to bigger family-friendly resorts, like Iririki Island Resort & Spa, situated on a private island off the shore of Port Vila. This is the place to stay for easy day trips, top restaurants and a range of activities.
Adventure lovers will want to look at Espiritu Santo, and the east-coast boutique resorts that put you within reach of Champagne Beach and the island’s major dive sites. A 45-minute flight from Efate, this is perfect for a multi-island itinerary. Bombua Beach House, an intimate all-villa resort, founded by Tasmanian couple, offers the dual benefit of being close to the town and airport while offering coastal views over the surrounding islands.
If you’re seeking cultural experiences and local vibes, then Tanna is top of the list. Accommodation options are fewer here (White Grass Ocean Resort & Spa is a go-to), but you’ll be rewarded with Kastom village experiences and raw natural wonder. It’s not so much the place for lounging by the pool, but the views from the top of the volcano are worth the journey.
