Vanuatu · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Vanuatu
These are the reefs, blue holes, volcanoes, markets, kava bars, food stops and stays that make a Vanuatu trip, spread from Port Vila and Efate to Santo, Tanna, Pentecost and Malekula. Places marked unconfirmed may have changed or closed, especially after the 2024 earthquake, so check before you go.
Places to Visit in Port Vila
Shopping and Markets
- Port Vila Central Market (Waterfront)
Village women sell island cabbage, taro, flowers and fruit around the clock through the working week. - Seafront handicraft market (Waterfront)
Woven baskets, carvings and pareos made in villages across the islands. - Port Vila duty free shops (Kumul Highway)
A row of stores for gifts, rum and local products.
Arts and Culture
- Vanuatu Cultural Centre and National Museum (Rue d'Artois)
Carvings, slit drums and sand drawing demonstrations make sense of the country's many cultures. - Chief Roi Mata's Domain (Lelepa and Mangaliliu)
Vanuatu's UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited on community-led tours with a cave and island. - Parliament House (Town)
The national parliament building, a symbol of independence in 1980.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mele Cascades (Mele)
Limestone terraces and clear pools lead up to a waterfall you can swim beneath. - Blue Lagoon (Eton, Efate)
A vivid turquoise swimming hole with rope swings and shady lawns. - Eton Beach (Eton, Efate)
A sheltered white sand cove with a natural pool, ideal for families. - Lelepa Island (North west Efate)
A day trip with snorkelling, caves and a village lunch. - Nguna Island (North Efate)
Hike to an extinct volcano crater and snorkel in community marine reserves. - Pele Island (North Efate)
Clear water, coral and village guesthouses on a peaceful small island.
Things to Do
- Hideaway Island (Mele Bay)
A marine reserve with easy snorkelling off the beach and an underwater post office. - Efate Ring Road (Efate)
A sealed loop past beaches, villages, war relics and cascades that makes a perfect day out. - Havannah Harbour WWII relics (Havannah Harbour)
Remains of the American wartime base on the quiet north west coast. - Erakor Lagoon kayaking (Erakor)
Calm water and small islands to paddle around.
Stays
- Iririki Island Resort (Iririki Island)
A resort on its own island in the harbour, a short free ferry hop from town. - The Havannah (Havannah Harbour)
An adults-only retreat on a quiet bay with sunset views towards Moso and Lelepa. - Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu (Tassiriki Park)
A big lagoon-side resort with pools and easy activities for families. - Warwick Le Lagon Resort (Erakor Lagoon)
A classic lagoon resort with kayaks and calm water. - Erakor Island Resort (Erakor Lagoon)
A small island at the lagoon mouth with bungalows and its own snorkelling reef. - Breakas Beach Resort (Pango)
Adults-only beach bungalows facing the open ocean just outside town. - Coconut Palms Resort (Waterfront)
A central, good-value base within walking distance of the market. - Eratap Beach Resort (Eratap)
A secluded resort of private villas on a peninsula south east of Port Vila.
Restaurants
- L'Houstalet (Town centre)
A long-running French restaurant known for hearty classics in a cosy setting. - Chill Restaurant and Bar (Waterfront)
Harbour views and modern Pacific dishes make it a favourite sunset dinner spot. - The Waterfront Bar and Grill (Waterfront)
Santo steaks and fresh fish served right on the harbour edge. - Seafront food stalls (Waterfront)
Local women cook rice, beef, chicken and fish plates for a fraction of restaurant prices. - Rossi Restaurant (Waterfront)
A long-standing harbourside spot for seafood and steaks on the deck. - Café du Village (Waterfront)
French Pacific cooking on a terrace over the harbour. - Wahoo Bar (Havannah Harbour)
A laid-back bar and restaurant on the ring road with fresh fish and big views. - Nambawan Café (Waterfront)
Outdoor tables under the trees with burgers, smoothies and movie nights.
Cafés
- Jill's Café (Town centre)
An American-style diner beloved for breakfasts, burgers and milkshakes. - Au Péché Mignon (Town centre)
A French bakery for croissants, baguettes and pastries.
Bars and Nightlife
- Nakamal kava bars (Across Port Vila)
A lantern outside a shack marks a kava bar where locals gather quietly at dusk. - Iririki sunset bar (Iririki Island)
Cross by ferry for a sundowner overlooking the harbour lights.
Events
- Independence Day (Port Vila)
On 30 July the capital fills with parades, sport, music and celebrations.
Places to Visit in Espiritu Santo
Things to Do
- SS President Coolidge (Luganville)
One of the world's great wreck dives, reached straight from the shore. - Millennium Cave (Butmas)
A full-day adventure through rainforest, a bat cave and a river canyon. - Peterson Bay kayaking (Peterson Bay)
Paddle a mangrove-lined bay to blue holes.
Nature and Outdoors
- Million Dollar Point (East of Luganville)
Wartime machinery lies in the shallows, perfect for snorkelling. - Champagne Beach (Hog Harbour)
Powdery white sand and clear water on one of the Pacific's finest beaches. - Matevulu Blue Hole (East coast)
A freshwater pool of astonishing blue, with a rope swing. - Nanda Blue Hole (East coast)
A calm, clear spring in the forest, lovely for a quiet swim. - Riri Blue Hole (Matevulu area)
Reached by dugout canoe up a jungle river. - Loru Conservation Area (East coast)
Community-protected forest with coconut crabs and birdlife. - Port Olry (North east Santo)
A French-speaking village with a long beach and offshore islets. - Lonnoc Beach (Hog Harbour)
A sheltered beach next to Champagne Beach with simple bungalows.
Stays
- Oyster Island Resort (Peterson Bay)
Bungalows on a small island near the blue holes. - Ratua Private Island (Off south Santo)
An eco island retreat of restored teak villas and horse rides. - Aore Island Resort (Aore Island)
A short boat ride from Luganville with calm water and kayaks. - Turtle Bay Lodge (East coast)
A peaceful lodge on a lagoon near Matevulu. - Moyyan House by the Sea (Luganville)
Waterfront bungalows with views across to Aore Island. - Deco Stop Lodge (Luganville)
A hillside lodge popular with divers, with a pool and views. - Beachfront Resort (Luganville)
A simple, central waterfront base close to dive shops.
Shopping and Markets
- Luganville Market (Main Street)
Fruit, root crops and lunch plates in a busy covered market.
Restaurants
- Port Olry beach restaurants (Port Olry)
Lobster and fish cooked simply beside the sand.
Arts and Culture
- Quonset huts of Luganville (Luganville)
Second World War buildings still used as shops and stores.
Bars and Nightlife
- Luganville nakamals (Luganville)
Try strong local kava with residents at dusk.
Places to Visit in Tanna
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Yasur (South east Tanna)
Watch lava burst from the crater at dusk on guided visits. - Yasur ash plain (Below Mount Yasur)
A grey moonscape of ash and lava, eerie and beautiful. - Port Resolution (East Tanna)
A sheltered bay with yachts, beaches and a village welcome. - Blue Cave (West Tanna)
Swim into a sea cave lit by a shaft of sunlight. - Shark Bay (East Tanna)
A bay where small sharks are often seen in the shallows. - Giant banyan tree (Central Tanna)
A colossal banyan with a canopy as big as a football field.
Arts and Culture
- Yakel kastom village (Near Lenakel)
A village that keeps traditional dress and customs, visited respectfully. - Sulphur Bay village (East Tanna)
Home of the John Frum movement and its annual gathering.
Events
- John Frum Day (Sulphur Bay)
On 15 February the movement marches, sings and raises flags. - Nekowiar Toka festival (Tanna villages)
A huge traditional ceremony of dance and exchange held in some years.
Shopping and Markets
- Lenakel Market (Lenakel)
Produce, kava and coffee in the island's busy market town.
Stays
- Tanna Evergreen Resort (West Tanna)
A comfortable base near the airport with tours arranged. - White Grass Ocean Resort (West Tanna)
Clifftop bungalows over the ocean with a good restaurant. - Volcano view bungalows (Near Mount Yasur)
Fall asleep to the rumble of the volcano in a village guesthouse.
Cafés
- Tanna Coffee (Lenakel area)
Coffee grown on the island's rich volcanic soil.
Things to Do
- Wild horses of the ash plain (East Tanna)
Horses roam the volcanic plain beneath Yasur.
Restaurants
- Lenakel food stalls (Lenakel)
Simple plates of laplap and rice cooked by local women.
Places to Visit in Pentecost
Events
- Nagol land diving (South Pentecost)
Men leap from wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles.
Arts and Culture
- Bunlap village (South east Pentecost)
A kastom village that keeps traditional ways close.
Things to Do
- Land diving day trip (Lonorore)
Fly in for the morning dive and out again the same day. - Lonorore airfield (South Pentecost)
A grass strip landing that is an adventure in itself.
Bars and Nightlife
- Pentecost kava (Across Pentecost)
Kava from Pentecost is prized across Vanuatu for its strength.
Places to Visit in Malekula
Arts and Culture
- Small Nambas villages (Malekula)
Traditional villages in the interior with dances and kastom. - Big Nambas territory (North west Malekula)
Home of a famous traditional group, visited with a local guide.
Nature and Outdoors
- Maskelyne Islands (South east Malekula)
Small islands with marine reserves, clams and village stays. - Uri Island (East Malekula)
A small island marine reserve with snorkelling and bungalows.
Shopping and Markets
- Lakatoro Market (Lakatoro)
The provincial town's market for produce and handicrafts.
Places to Visit in Ambrym
Events
- Back to My Roots Festival (North Ambrym)
Rom masked dances and sand drawing on the island of black magic.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Marum and Benbow (Ambrym)
Volcano treks across a vast ash plain, subject to alert levels.
Arts and Culture
- Ambrym tam tam carving (North Ambrym)
Watch carvers shape tall slit drums from breadfruit trees.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Ramada Resort Port Vila (Erakor Lagoon, Port Vila)
A family-friendly resort close to town with apartments and pools. - Moso Beach Bungalows (Moso Island, Port Vila)
Simple island bungalows for a slow, off-grid stay north of Efate. - Tanna Coffee Roastery (Port Vila, Port Vila)
Taste and buy coffee grown on Tanna and roasted in Vanuatu. - The Kava Store (Port Vila, Port Vila)
A good introduction to kava culture with clean surroundings and friendly explanations. - Brewery Bar (Waterfront, Port Vila)
Local beer on tap and a lively crowd near the harbour. - Vanuatu Kava Store (Port Vila, Port Vila)
Pick up dried kava and learn the difference between varieties. - Michoutouchkine and Pilioko Foundation (Pango Road, Port Vila)
An art gallery and garden showing the work of two artists who lived in Vanuatu for decades. - Ekasup Cultural Village (Near Port Vila, Port Vila)
A village visit with traditional food, medicine and survival skills. - Rentapao River (East Efate, Port Vila)
A quiet river with cascades and swimming holes off the ring road. - Siviri Cave (North Efate, Port Vila)
A village cave with legends attached, reached by a short walk. - Secret Garden (Mele, Port Vila)
A garden that tells the stories of Vanuatu's history and kastom. - Mele Bay sunset sail (Mele Bay, Port Vila)
Catch the breeze and watch the sun drop behind Hideaway Island. - Fest'Napuan (Port Vila, Port Vila)
A free music festival celebrating Pacific and local bands. - Lonnoc Beach Bungalows (Hog Harbour, Espiritu Santo)
Stay steps from Champagne Beach and enjoy it before day trippers arrive. - Allan Power Dive Tours (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
A long-established Coolidge dive operation founded by the wreck's pioneer. - Santo Island Dive and Fishing (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
Coolidge dives and reef trips for all levels. - Natangora Café (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
A popular stop for coffee, breakfast and light meals. - Restaurant at Moyyan House (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
Fresh fish and Santo steak with a waterfront view. - Tui Tui Market Bar (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
Casual meals and drinks with locals and divers. - Santo WWII Museum (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
A small museum on the island's huge wartime role. - Santo Fest (Luganville, Espiritu Santo)
An arts and culture festival celebrating the island. - Jungle Oasis Bungalows (Near Mount Yasur, Tanna)
Treehouse-style bungalows within earshot of the volcano. - Port Resolution Yacht Club (Port Resolution, Tanna)
Simple bungalows and a friendly bar on the bay. - Imaio village tours (Near Mount Yasur, Tanna)
Village walks and dances arranged near the volcano. - Waterfall Bay (North Pentecost, Pentecost)
A waterfall dropping close to the sea in the green north. - Village guesthouses of South Pentecost (South Pentecost, Pentecost)
Basic stays that let you see daily life beyond the dive. - Dugongs at Port Sandwich (South Malekula, Malekula)
Dugongs are sometimes seen grazing in sheltered bays. - Malekula cannibal sites (Malekula interior, Malekula)
Guided walks to old sites with stories of the island's past. - Malampa Festival (Malekula, Malekula)
A cultural festival of dances from across the province.