Vanuatu is a magical country that feels like a hidden paradise with so many untouched beaches and gems. It's made up of roughly 80 islands, each with their own crystal clear beaches, lush jungles and rich culture. Plus it's only a short 3.5 hour direct flight from Sydney, meaning  you'll be relaxing under the palm trees in no time.

This Vanuatu travel guide will share everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Vanuatu — from the best places to stay and top things to do, to hidden gems and local travel tips. If you're dreaming of an island escape that’s close to Sydney, Vanuatu is the perfect destination. 

Best Time to Visit Vanuatu

The best time to visit Vanuatu is between April - October. This is their dry season, meaning you'll have lower chances of rain and less humidity. During these months, the weather is pleasant and the water is clear. Perfect for snorkelling and relaxing by the beach.

Top Things to Do in Vanuatu

Best Things to Do on Espiritu Santo Island, Vanuatu

One of our favourite things to do in Vanuatu was exploring the untouched island of Espiritu Santo, otherwise known as Santo. It's a 1 hour flight from the mainland and we could already tell from the view on the plane that this island would be amazing. There's a lot to do on the island so we would recommend staying for at least 3 nights.

Champagne Beach

This beach is a tropical paradise where you can escape and unwind underneath the palm trees that line the beach. Champagne Beach is well known for its soft white sand and calm turquoise waters. There are also a few huts and benches you can sit under to seek shelter from the sun. The water is warm all year round and you'll have a high chance at spotting some turtles that like to hang around in the bay. Entry costs 1000VT per person ($12 AUD).

Port Olry

Easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Vanuatu, Port Olry is something straight out of a movie. This gorgeous paradise is the ultimate place to unwind and take plenty of dips in the ocean. You can also treat yourself to a massage on the beach, lounge around in the hammocks or climb up to explore the nearby treehouse. With tropical postcard views and unreal blue water, this beach needs to be on your list of things to do in Vanuatu. 

Chez-Louis Restaurant

There are a few rustic places to eat along Port Olry, but one of our favourites was Chez-Louis Restaurant. This laid-back beachfront restaurant is great for fresh seafood while you enjoy the amazing ocean views. It's your typical island vibe restaurant with sand beneath your feet and palm trees everywhere you look.

Riri Blue Hole

Riri Blue Hole is known as one of the most beautiful and crystal clear blue holes on the island. Paddling up the river on the local canoe was such a magical experience. We couldn't believe how clear the water was. At the end, the river opens up and you'll be rewarded with an incredible lagoon with rope swings and platforms to jump off. Just ask one of the locals near the bridge going over Ri Ri river to paddle you up on their traditional canoes, otherwise you can visit this blue hole by car if you wish. Access to the blue hole will cost 500VT per person ($6 AUD) as the locals have gone to a lot of effort to provide easy access to amenities such as bathrooms and change areas.

Just a quick note about visiting this blue hole. We visited after recent rainfall so the mosquitoes were quite bad. Be sure to bring some insect repellent if you plan on doing the same.

Leweton Cultural Village

This Vanuatu travel guide wouldn't be complete without a visit to the cultural village. Checking out the Leweton Cultural Village is one of the best things to do to learn about Vanuatu culture and customs. It was fun and very interactive as we took part in dances, learnt how they make kava and immersed ourselves in their ancient customs. One of our favourite parts of the experience was watching the women perform the magical water music dance. It was so unique and unlike anything we have seen or heard before. The sounds and rhythms they make using movements of the water with just their hands was so mesmerising. 

Stay at Turtle Bay Lodge

During our visit to Espiritu Santo, we stayed at Turtle Bay Lodge and absolutely loved our time there. They have waterfront rooms looking out over the ocean and plenty of access points for you to take a swim. It's the ideal place to return to after a big day of exploring the island. Breakfast and dinner was also delicious and we just couldn't get over the tropical waterfront views, especially at sunset.

Best Things to Do on Efate Island, Vanuatu

Efate Island is where you'll find the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila. It is one of the main hubs in the country so you'll find a lot more going on. There are plenty of markets, resorts and tour operators offering experiences. Efate Island is also home to many incredible lagoons, tropical beaches, cascading waterfalls and flowing rivers.

Snorkelling at Top Rock

Top rock is located towards the north west of the island and can be a little challenging to reach. It will take roughly an hour to reach from the main hub in Port Vila and the roads are quite rough, but definitely worth it in the end. Snorkelling here is one of the most amazing things to do while visiting Vanuatu. There is such a variety of marine life, corals and even caves for you to explore. All of which is set amongst calm, crystal clear water. Scaling down the limestone cliffs and enjoying the views overlooking the distant island, really make this place feel like a hidden paradise. 

There are different tours that include top rock as part of the itinerary, otherwise you can visit yourself with a hire car or rent a scooter. If you want to visit by yourself it is 500VT per person ($6 AUD).

River Kayaking

We did the river kayaking with Vanuatu Ecotours as they guided us along the Rentapao River. Our guides were so friendly and explained everything about Vanuatu's rainforests and authentic villages. As you kayak along the river, you'll pass by locals and kids enjoying their time by the water. The kids were having so much fun showing off as they were jumping from the rope swings along the river. You'll eventually reach the cascades at the end which is when you'll start to head back. It was so hot that we even decided to cool off in the water and have some fun on the rope swings ourselves. 

Stone Grill Restaurant

This place is one of the best steakhouses on Efate that offers a unique experience. Your food is served on a heated hot stone for you to cook your meat to your preferred style. We decided to get the surf and turf which was delicious. The restaurant is located at the top of a hill so you'll also have an incredible view overlooking port Vila. 

Haa Bar Sunset Cruise

The sunset cruise in Port Vila is a great way to see the harbour and enjoy the breathtaking views. The cruise takes place on the Haa Bar which is a floating bar and pontoon. You'll slowly cruise around the harbour on a really unique wooden bar where you can grab a drink and watch the sunset. Prices for the 1.5 hour cruise are 5000VT ($65 AUD) per person which also includes a welcome drink. 

Blue Lagoon

Our time on the island was cut short so we unfortunately didn't get the chance to visit the iconic Blue Lagoon. This place is one of the most popular things to do in Vanuatu and is just a half hour drive from the centre of Port Vila. The lagoon boasts incredible blue water where you'll find plenty of rope swings to jump into the water with. Entry into Blue Lagoon costs 500VT ($6 AUD) per person.

Stay - Nasama Resort

Nasama Resort was one of our favourite places to stay on Efate Island. This private beach front resort has an infinity pool and their rooms are so spacious. You can also go snorkelling right in front of the resort. This place also has 2 restaurants on site which is very convenient as there isn't much else around. Three Pigs is a beer garden style restaurant serving all the classics like burgers, pizzas and Mexican food. Cafe Vila is the other restaurant that serves more cafe style food and fine dining options at dinner in a more relaxing atmosphere. 

Getting Around Vanuatu

We used Atmosphere Tours & Transfers to get around Vanuatu. You can design your own custom itinerary with their team of drivers and make your own personalised tour. This is by far the easiest and most hassle free way to get around places on both Efate and Santo. They can pick you up from anywhere in Port Vila and Santo. This option can be costly though and is best suited to groups of 6 or more travelling together so you can split the cost.

Another budget friendly option for couples travelling together would be to rent a scooter. This way you can explore the island at your own leisure. 

Make the Most of Your Vanuatu Holiday

After spending a week in Vanuatu, we were genuinely blown away by the beauty of this amazing country and the kindness of its people. We visited Efate island, as well as Espiritu Santo island which was definitely the highlight of the trip. We only wish we had more time to explore the natural beauty of this tropical holiday destination. We are already talking about planning our next visit. Hopefully this Vanuatu travel guide has given you some insight into the best things to do and has helped you plan and craft your own itinerary.

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