A beginner's guide to Vanuatu

Welcome to Vanuatu – where palm-fringed beaches, vibrant culture and striking natural beauty await. Just a short flight away, it’s the ideal escape for a family holiday or a romantic weekend that feels worlds apart (without being far at all).

Less than three hours from Brisbane, Vanuatu is one of Australia’s closest island neighbours and a land of contrasts. To one side, dense jungle stretches endlessly, lush and untamed. To the other, the calm turquoise waters of the ocean lap gently against palm-lined shores and luxury beachfront resorts.

How to get around Vanuatu

• Any minivan with a B on its number plate is a bus service. There are no bus stops, just flag down the driver and they will take you anywhere within Port Vila for 150vt (Vanuatu currency, about AUD$1.80) per person. Longer distances range from 200vt to 500vt per person.
• Taxis have a T on the number plate and are un-metered, so agree on a price with the driver beforehand. Your hotel can advise what is a fair rate. Have plenty of spare change as drivers often cannot break larger notes. It is very safe to walk around Port Vila and the locals are friendly and helpful.

Where to stay in Vanuatu

Take your pick from five-star luxury and boutique bungalows over the water to adults-only retreats or family-friendly resorts.

Best spots for a couples only escape 

Make your base Mangoes Resort for a great couples' getaway. Set high on a clifftop overlooking the lagoon, Mangoes is only minutes from Port Vila yet offers ultimate peace and quiet, an excellent restaurant, exceptional customer service and very good coffee.

If you're looking for a luxurious adults-only escape, look no further than The Havannah. Located 30 minutes from Port Vila on the north west coast tucked away under the hills that divide the island, The Havannah is the perfect place for romance or to just relax. Choose from lush garden villas to pool villas to the ultimate beachside luxury – waterfront villas. 

Is Santo your Vanuatu island of choice? Tucked away in the tropics, Barrier Beach Resort blends barefoot luxury with long, lazy afternoons. Whether you’re snorkelling straight off the shore or sipping cocktails beneath the palms, this adults-only retreat feels like stepping into your daydreams – only better.

Best spots for the whole family

If you're looking for a family-friendly break, check out Warwick Le Lagon. This vibrant property resides on the shores of Erakor Lagoon in Port Vila and offers a kids club for the little ones and water sports for the older family members. 

If you want something a bit more secluded, catch a short ferry ride from Port Vila to Iririki Island Resort. With eight different accommodation options to choose from, you'll be able to keep the whole family happy. 

Deco Stop Lodge is where tropical charm and laid-back vibes check in right alongside you. With thriving gardens, spacious suites, and a restaurant that's Santo-sational, it's easy to satisfy even the moodiest of teens at this fam-friendly haven.

Best spots for groups

For the best group experience, check out Nasama Resort. Just 10 minutes from central Port Vila and 17km from Mele Cascades Waterfall, you'll have to do rock, paper, scissors to decide where the group explores first. 

Alternatively, Ramada Resort located on the cliffs of Erakor Lagoon (just 6 minutes from Port Vila) or Erakor Island Resort (located 15 minutes from Port Vila) will also happily house your group. 

Best spots for the budget conscious 

Just a hop, skip and splash away from Port Vila is the popular Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary. This gem is the perfect spot for a dive holiday with an abundance of marine life right on your doorstep. Built in a traditional Melanesian style, the rooms range from four-person shared dorms to oceanfront villas with private pools. 

You can also check out Moorings Hotel and The Melanesian for convenient, budget-friendly stays. 

What to do in Vanuatu

Make the most of your resort’s activity booking service – they’ll handle all the logistics, so all you need to do is be ready for pick-up. While you can hire a car, joining a hosted tour comes with added perks like local insights, cultural tips, and access to places you might not find on your own including villages and secret swimming spots.

If you’re planning to visit popular spots like Eden on the River and Blue Lagoon (Efate), or Champagne Beach and Riri Blue Hole (Santo), try to time your visit for when the cruise ships aren’t in port, you’ll avoid the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience. You’re welcome to swim or use the facilities at many island resorts and the casino, but it’s expected you support the venue by ordering a drink, grabbing a bite to eat, or paying a small entry fee.

What to eat in Vanuatu

• Order fish or seafood at every opportunity. It's super fresh, sustainably caught and supports local suppliers.
• Vanuatu beef is excellent, as are the island's fruits and vegetables.
• The local Tusker beer goes down well with salted cassava chips after a hard day relaxing.
• Snack on coconut, banana and bunches of fresh raw peanuts bought from the market stalls.
• Fruit bat lovers turn away now...you can get them served with red wine sauce at L'Houstalet Restaurant, Port Vila, along with pizza, garlic snails and steak.

What are the best tours to do in Vanuatu

• Native Round Island Day Tour - This tour helps to get your bearings, highlights hot spots to visit later, provides access to private villages, and the hosts Tom and Noah share wonderful personal commentary and history of Vanuatu on the way.
• Club Hippique Horse Riding Tours - Meander through forests to secluded waterfalls or to the ocean where you can swim with your horse to cool off. If you're not an experienced rider, book the half day or pay with a sore backside the next day.
• Santo Snorkelling and Dugong Tours - Soak up the kind of magic you can only find offshore with many snorkelling and dugong tour options leaving from Santo. Swim alongside gentle dugongs and explore coral gardens with the help of an expert local to take you to secluded reefs that you won't find on the first page of Google.
• Coongoola Day Cruise - Cruise on board the classic timber tall ship Coongoola (built in Brisbane circa 1940) through Havannah Harbour to Hideaway Island turtle sanctuary, before mooring at a secluded coral cove where you can snorkel the reef in crystal clear water or relax on the fine white sand after a barbecue lunch.

Vanuatu travel tips

• Avoid downtown Port Vila on cruise ship days. It's hectic, the locals leave, and prices go up.
• Choose tours or activities that employ or are owned and operated by 'Ni-Vanuatu' (locals). By doing this, your money directly supports village communities and goes toward schooling and health care, which are not free.
• Take small change or school supplies instead of sweets, when visiting villages to gift to the children.

Need to know

• No visa is required for Australian passport holders for a maximum stay of 30 days.
• The best time to visit is between April and October when the weather is milder.
• The local water is safe to drink in main cities such as Port Vila, but opt for bottled or boiled water when travelling to smaller towns and outer islands.
• Take strong mosquito spray. Use it liberally. Keep doors closed at night and spray your room before sleeping.