Destination overview

Vanuatu is a popular holiday destination in the South Pacific where you will experience a magical land of 83 tropical islands, towering volcanoes and very friendly people. Apart from endless opportunities to relax, you will delight in learning about the local culture and enjoy some of the most amazing scenery you are likely to encounter. And, for those seeking some adventure, the scuba diving in Vanuatu is regarded as among the best in the world and offers excellent reef and wreck diving for those of all skill-levels.

Vanuatu is located just over three hours’ flying time from the east coast of Australia. The population of over 160,000 is made up of mostly Melanesians who live in the outer islands, where life hasn’t changed much over the years. The capital, Port Vila, located on the island of Efate, is the gateway to Vanuatu.

Vanuatu, meaning ‘Land Eternal’, comprises a chain of 83 islands ranging from towering volcanic cones to islands covered in dense rainforest to raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbours. The Ni-Vanuatu people are a peaceful and gentle race who enjoy life's simpler pleasures in a country of unique and diverse customs and culture.

Vanuatua can offer visitors experiences you won’t find anywhere else, including the Pentecost Land Dive (the first bungy jump) and the Toka Ceremony on the island of Tanna.

The Ni Vanuatu people have populated the islands for centuries and there are more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still flourishing.

Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. There are small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Islands people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered by France and Great Britain as a 'Condominium'. There are many reminders of the days when a gendarme would patrol one side of the main street and a London 'Bobby' the other.

The main tourist areas around the capital of Port Vila offer great water sports activities, fabulous island tours, horse riding, jungle river trips, diving and village visits. Port Vila also has a wide range of restaurants which reflect its French influences, as well as duty free shops and nightclubs. From Port Vila Harbour you can choose from a large range of fun day tours including sailing and snorkel trips and sunset cruises.

Port Vila is a blend of Melanesian, Eastern and Western cultures; which you will notice with its varied array of cuisine. You’ll find Australian meat pies, American chili dogs and English fish and chips to French delicacies, patisseries and cappuccino, as well as local foods from the fresh markets which are stocked with taro, yams, coconuts and manioc roots.

In Port Vila you can walk along the rugged coastline or explore lush tropical rainforests and dazzling cascades of waterfalls. Beyond spectacular views of coral reefs and tropical fish from its seawall, Port Vila also has magnificent views of Iririki and Ifira Islands from its harbour all the way across to Malapoa Point.

The shopping here is also great with a number of hassle-free, fixed-price boutiques and shops, where friendly sales staff provide service without the pressure to buy.

For those wanting to venture a little bit further, take a short flight to one of Vanuatu’s outer islands which include Tanna – a 50-minute flight south of Efate and home of Mount Yasur where you will find one of the world’s most accessible active volcanos. While here, a tour of one of the traditional villages is something that should not be missed.

Espiritu Santo is a 50-minute flight north of Efate. More commonly known as Santo, it is the largest island in Vanuatu and a haven for divers who flock to the wreck of the SS President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point, a place where Americans threw equipment and machinery into the sea at the end of World War 2. Here you will also find Mount Tabwenasana, the highest point in Vanuatu at 1,879 metres, and well worth a visit.

And, no trip to Vanuatu is complete without a visit to a volcano. There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu, with Yasur being the most popular among tourists, as well as a range of underwater ones.

Divers come from all over the world for Vanuatu's superb visibility, warm water and world-class dive sites. The underwater world offers plunging cliffs, grottoes and overhangs as well as huge caves, intricate tunnels and an abundance of sea life. In these pristine waters you can be surrounded by sea fans, soft corals and acropora gardens, plate corals, sponges and thousands of curious fish.

The real draw card for diving in Vanuatu is the SS President Coolidge, the largest wreck dive in the world. This 22,000 ton luxury liner converted to troop ship was sunk fully laden during the war, just a few metres off the beach. The front holds are jammed with the machinery of war, while guns, helmets, gas masks and personal effects are scattered across the promenade deck and bow. The Coolidge is suitable for novice and advanced divers with the less-experienced able to dive the shallow sections of the wreck. Most reefs begin in shallow water of ten metres or less and drop away to varying depths.

For dedicated divers who enjoy sailing, longer cruises through the islands further north of Efate are available. Here you can experience the isolation and peace of remote places and see something of the culture of Vanuatu while diving the world famous Tongoa wall, the edge of a live volcano, or the beautiful Maskelyne Islands.

The Islands of Vanuatu are surrounded by colourful coral reefs, deserted beaches and crystal blue waters and wherever you visit, you will find that no two beaches are the same, with each location offering something different. From quiet lagoons where dugongs swim, black volcanic sands, white sandy beaches, blue holes for snorkelling, great waves for surfing, deep water for diving and fishing, your holiday here can be as active or as relaxed as you want it to be.