Vanuatu is the sort of place that makes you wonder why everyone is not talking about it. From eastern Australia, it is only about three hours away by air, yet stepping into Port Vila's warm, salty air feels like entering a different world: palm-fringed beaches, jungle trails, volcanoes and a welcoming, distinctive culture.
We are Michelle and Paul, an Australian couple who travel together whenever we can (usually with one of us overpacking and the other insisting that two pairs of thongs are plenty). This vanuatu holiday guide is everything we wish we had known before our first trip: where to go, what to eat, how much to budget and how to enjoy the islands respectfully. Whether you want a relaxing resort break or a proper tropical adventure, Vanuatu is surprisingly good at delivering both.
Getting to Vanuatu from Australia
For Australians, one of Vanuatu's biggest attractions is how easy it is to reach. Direct flights operate from Sydney and Brisbane in roughly three hours, with Melbourne services also available depending on season and schedules. Check Air Vanuatu, Qantas and Virgin, and match flight days to any island-hopping plans.
A typical return fare is around AUD $400–700, although holidays and last-minute bookings can cost more. Add baggage, transfers and travel insurance. Port Vila's Bauerfield International Airport is the main gateway; arrange a resort transfer or taxi before arriving and keep booking details offline.
Best time to visit Vanuatu
Vanuatu is tropical year-round, so there is no cold season to spoil a swim. The most popular time is the dry season, April to October, when humidity is more comfortable and seas often suit snorkelling, diving and boat trips. July and August can be busy, so book early for a favourite resort.
The wet season runs from November to March and brings higher humidity, heavier rain and the possibility of tropical cyclones. Rain does not necessarily last all day, but weather can disrupt inter-island flights, boat trips and road journeys. Choose flexible bookings and check warnings. We once planned a full day on the water and ended up having a long lunch instead. It was not exactly a hardship.
Port Vila: the easy-going capital
Port Vila on Efate is where most first-time visitors stay, and it makes an excellent introduction to Vanuatu. The capital wraps around a beautiful harbour, with waterfront restaurants, small shops, markets and resorts within easy reach. Iririki Island Resort sits just across the water from town for a classic island stay. Port Vila is lively without feeling overwhelming, and you can go from a swim to seafood lunch to a barefoot sunset drink without a complicated itinerary.
Port Vila is a practical base for Efate day trips past beaches, villages, viewpoints and lush coastline. Hire a car with care, book a driver or join a guided excursion. We loved having a local guide explain the sights; otherwise, we would have driven past beautiful spots while arguing about the map.
Espiritu Santo: Vanuatu's adventure island
Espiritu Santo, usually called Santo, is larger, quieter and more rugged than Efate. It is the island for freshwater swimming, spectacular beaches and underwater adventures, with Luganville as the main town and forest, reefs and open coastline beyond.
Blue holes and Champagne Beach
Nanda Blue Hole is magical: an impossibly blue freshwater spring surrounded by greenery and calm enough for a lazy swim. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a dry bag. We planned twenty minutes and were still floating much later, having lost track of time.
Champagne Beach is another Santo essential, with pale sand, clear water and a postcard setting. Conditions change with weather and tides, so ask locally about safe swimming. Pack water, snacks and cash for entry fees or local stalls, and take rubbish with you.
History and diving in Santo
At Million Dollar Point, rusting military vehicles and other World War II wreckage sit in shallow water among marine life. Visit thoughtfully, not as a playground; local guides can explain Santo's important role as an Allied base.
For experienced divers, the SS President Coolidge is a world-famous wreck dive. The former luxury liner has holds, corridors and artefacts to explore, but it is not a casual snorkel. Bring appropriate certification, use a reputable operator and understand depth, currents and conditions. Santo's reefs and blue holes also reward non-divers.
Tanna Island and Mount Yasur
Tanna feels remote and raw in a way that stays with you. Its star attraction is Mount Yasur, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes. On a guided visit, you can stand near the rim and watch the volcano rumble, glow and occasionally send bursts of ash and molten rock into the dark. It is exhilarating, noisy and a little humbling; our usual holiday concerns about finding a good coffee seemed very small up there.
Safety comes first at Yasur. Conditions change, access may close and ash can blow, so follow your guide and local authorities. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a mask if advised and protect your phone from dust. Tanna's rough roads and simple accommodation suit travellers who value wild landscapes over polished convenience.
Things to do in Vanuatu
Swim, snorkel and dive
Vanuatu's water is the headline act. Swim in blue freshwater springs, snorkel coral gardens or dive drop-offs, caves and wrecks. Efate's lagoons suit beginners; Santo and Tanna offer specialised experiences. Use reputable operators, follow briefings, never stand on coral and wear water shoes for rocky entries.
Chase waterfalls and explore the jungle
Mele Cascades, a short trip from Port Vila, is a lush series of pools and waterfalls. The track can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip and arrive early for a quieter swim.
Meet local communities
Cultural village tours introduce Vanuatu's living kastom (custom) culture through dance, stories, plants and shared food. Choose community-run tours and treat them as an exchange, not a performance for your camera. Patience and curiosity go a long way.
Visit markets and get on the water
Port Vila Market is brilliant for local food, colourful produce and everyday life. We wander through tropical fruit stalls, choosing something we cannot pronounce and asking how to eat it. Go in the morning, carry small notes and negotiate cheerfully.
Glass-bottom boats suit anyone who would rather not snorkel, while kayaking, paddleboarding and lagoon cruises offer gentler coastal adventures. Check what an outing supplies, including water, flotation equipment, sun protection and transfers. The best trip is often the one where a local guide knows where turtles hide.
What to eat and drink in Vanuatu
Food is a pleasure here, especially when meals come with a view. Try lap lap, Vanuatu's national dish: a savoury root-vegetable pudding, often made with yam, taro or manioc and cooked with meat or fish. It is hearty, comforting and a proper taste of place.
Fresh coconut straight from the tree is a tropical luxury, while seafood BBQs pair local fish or prawns with salad, rice or root vegetables. Port Vila's waterfront restaurants serve local and international food; check menus and ask whether the catch is local.
Tusker beer is the local favourite after a hot day in the water. For a traditional social experience, visit a nakamal, or kava bar. Kava is a mildly intoxicating drink made from root, and sharing it is part of Vanuatu's social ritual. The earthy flavour is acquired (Paul's face suggested he needed more acquiring). Go with a local, drink slowly and respect the etiquette.
Money, currency and a realistic Vanuatu budget
Vanuatu uses the vatu (VUV). As a rough guide, AUD $1 is about VUV 80–90; check the rate before travelling. Cash is essential outside larger resorts. ATMs are available in Port Vila, but carry vatu in small denominations for buses, markets, tips and entry fees.
A sensible budget is about AUD $150–300 per person per day, excluding international flights. The lower end covers simple accommodation, local meals, buses and inexpensive activities; the higher end allows comfort, restaurant meals, tours and transfers. Diving, private drivers, domestic flights and resort extras cost more. We price tours before arrival because one boat trip often becomes three.
Cards are accepted at many resorts and established restaurants, but outages and connectivity issues happen. Tell your bank you are travelling, keep emergency cash separately and check fees for overseas withdrawals. For general travel preparation, our packing tips article is a useful last-minute checklist.
Quick planning checklist
- Carry small notes and emergency cash outside Port Vila.
- Book domestic flights and popular tours ahead in peak season.
- Keep plans flexible when travelling during cyclone season.
Cultural tips: travel with respect
Vanuatu's kastom culture is living, important and different from island to island. Dress modestly when visiting villages or community spaces: cover shoulders and knees, and save swimwear for the beach or resort. Always ask before photographing people, ceremonies, children or sacred places. Some communities have rules about where visitors may walk, what they may touch and when photographs are appropriate.
Learn a few greetings, listen more than you speak and accept that island time may be slower. Follow local instructions and pay community fees or guide charges fairly. We have found the best conversations happen when we put the camera away and let people set the pace.
Health and safety in Vanuatu
Mosquito protection is essential. Pack repellent and light long clothing; ask a doctor or travel clinic about malaria prevention, as risk exists in some areas. Use sunscreen, drink water and take care in strong tropical sun, even on cloudy days.
Tap water is not reliably suitable for visitors everywhere, so choose sealed bottled water or ask whether filtered water is safe. Pack basic medication and a small first-aid kit. Coral cuts can infect quickly in warm seawater; rinse, cover and seek help if redness or swelling develops.
Take normal precautions with valuables, use recommended transport and tell someone before heading remote. Roads, boats and coverage can be unpredictable, so travel insurance with medical evacuation and weather-disruption cover is worthwhile. Read our guide to avoiding scams when travelling: confirm prices, use reputable operators and trust your instincts.
Our verdict: why Vanuatu surprised us
We expected beautiful beaches, but Vanuatu gave us much more: freshwater blue holes that looked unreal, a volcano that made the ground feel alive, meals shared with new friends and a culture that invited us to slow down. Port Vila is easy and sociable, Santo is an adventure playground, and Tanna rewards travellers prepared to trade a little comfort for something unforgettable. Each island has a different rhythm, so a second visit could feel like an entirely new holiday rather than a repeat.
Our favourite memories are not just the big-ticket sights. They are the market breakfast, the unexpected roadside swim, the local guide laughing at our attempt to pronounce a place name and the quiet moment after sunset when the harbour went completely still. Vanuatu is close enough for a long weekend but rich enough for a much longer trip. We would go back in a heartbeat—and next time, Michelle is packing the extra pair of thongs.
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