6 must-visit islands in Vanuatu

Often overshadowed by its more renowned eastern South Pacific neighbor, Fiji, Vanuatu is anything but a wallflower. With inviting warm waters, vibrant Melanesian culture, active volcanoes, and stunningly blue swimming holes, there are countless ways to immerse yourself in this laid-back island paradise.

You'll be delighted by the choices: Vanuatu boasts over 80 breathtaking islands scattered like emeralds across an area of 12,189 sq km (4,706 sq miles). Many islands are hard to reach, adding to the thrill of exploration. Most travelers tend to settle on Efate Island, where the capital city, Port Vila, is located, before venturing out to experience the life of traditional kastom tribes on the surrounding islands.

Although island-hopping by boat is an option in Vanuatu, it can take a while. Most visitors prefer flying, with daily flights available to major islands. While the national airline, Air Vanuatu, is currently grounded, air taxi services are still operational through Air Taxi Vanuatu and Unity Airlines.

Get ready for your Vanuatu adventure with this guide to the archipelago's most accessible islands and the top activities to enjoy there.

1. Efate

Top island for market shopping

As you step onto the island of Efate, adjust your watch and mindset to 'island time'—everything will fall into place in this relaxed environment. Efate is home to the capital city, Port Vila, and is the most populated island, where most travelers arrive by plane or cruise ship.

Efate is renowned for its vibrant markets, offering several spots to spend your Vatu (the currency of Vanuatu) while supporting local businesses. Along the harbor front, you'll discover a shaded area known as Mama’s Market, where women in floral dresses sell handcrafted items like earrings, sarongs, and durable handwoven baskets.

A short stroll further down the waterfront brings you to the lively Port Vila Central Markets, where local producers gather to offer seasonal tropical fruits and vegetables, including yams so cherished they appear on the local currency. Enjoy a fresh coconut juice (approximately 100VT) as you explore or take a moment to try laplap, Vanuatu's national dish, typically made with grated yams or bananas, meat, and coconut cream, wrapped in banana leaves for cooking.

Local tip: Haggling is not customary in these markets. Prices are clearly displayed, and payment is expected in Vatu. Arrive early for the freshest produce and remember to bring your own fabric bag, as plastic bags are discouraged.

2. Espiritu Santo

Top destination for swimming in natural springs

With warm tropical weather all year round, Vanuatu is the perfect spot for beach getaways. This is why the largest island, Espiritu Santo (often simply referred to as “Santo”), is so beloved, especially by families. It offers a wide range of accommodations, including resorts, beachfront bungalows, and guesthouses.

While Santo is famous for its diving (home to the SS President Coolidge, one of the most accessible shipwrecks in the world), and its pristine white-sand beaches, it also features stunning blue holes. These natural springs, filtered through underground limestone caves, boast a brilliant hue due to their depth, purity, and mineral richness.

Nanda Blue Hole, with its 20m-deep (66ft) swimming pool, is the perfect place for snorkeling. The fish below create the illusion of being in a vibrant reef, and the experience is refreshing in every way. After your swim, relax on a wooden deck with a cold Tusker beer from a small café run by the same family that owns the property.

Easily accessible by 4WD or even better, by kayak, the swinging rope at Santo’s largest swimming hole, Matevulu Blue Hole, makes the 45-minute paddle here truly rewarding. Riri Blue Hole is a 30-minute drive away, but why not arrive by outrigger canoe? Like Matevulu, the effort is worth it, and Riri tends to be less crowded.

Feeling sore from all that swimming, snorkeling, and rope swinging? Treat yourself at Santo Island Massage. This bamboo beachfront hut is located at Port Olry Beach, and the best part is that your money goes directly to the local community.

Local tip: Wake up early to avoid the crowds and be sure to bring your snorkel, mask, and fins to explore these stunning waterholes.

3. Tanna

Top island for experiencing traditional village life

Famed as the filming location for the 2015 Oscar-nominated film of the same name, Tanna exudes an enchanting atmosphere. It's a popular diving destination, perfect for adventure enthusiasts, yet remains relatively accessible, with a quick 40-minute flight south from Port Vila. The island boasts established tourism, featuring several resorts (including White Grass Island Resort & Spa, which hosts the island's sole dive center), and you might also encounter locals living traditionally in kastom villages.

A fantastic way to immerse yourself in this ancient culture is by taking a guided tour of Yakel Village with an accredited guide. Here, you can interact with local residents—women in grass skirts and men wearing only a penis sheath called a namba. As with any visit to traditional communities, be respectful and guided by the Chief, asking for permission before capturing any photographs.

No visit to Tanna would be complete without witnessing Mt Yasur, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes. While tours are available during the day, the volcano truly dazzles at night, showcasing vibrant reds and oranges.

Local tip: Please refrain from taking any rocks from this area as souvenirs, as they are regarded as sacred.

4. Ambrym

Top island for hiking

While Tanna’s Mt Yasur may attract the most visitors, it’s just one of many active craters across the archipelago. A one-hour flight north from Port Vila brings you to Ambrym, known for its impressive array of volcanoes and multiple craters. Although some craters have been dormant for years, the Benbow and Mbwelesu Craters frequently host active lava lakes.

Unlike the more accessible Yasur, trekking the Ambrym volcanoes—recognized as among the world's most active—demands considerable effort. You'll ascend approximately 1,160m (3,086ft) to Mt Benbow and 1,270m (4,167ft) to Mt Marum at the island's center. While it requires stamina (don’t forget your walking poles), these hikes are deemed safe. After your adventure, unwind with a few shells of kava, a traditional drink known for its relaxing effects. (Exercise caution with consumption; Vanuatu's kava is particularly potent, containing more active ingredients than that from Fiji.)

Thanks to its volcanic landscape, you won’t find white sandy beaches here, but the snorkeling is exquisite, much like in the rest of the country. Opt for a local accredited guide who has completed rigorous training and possesses a First Aid certificate. Staff at the local tourist bungalows can often provide recommendations.

Planning tip: Unlike Efate, Santo, and Tanna, tourism on Ambrym, Malekula, and Pentecost is less developed. Visitors should be prepared for a more rustic experience, as accommodations mainly consist of basic guesthouses featuring outhouses and bucket showers. Running water and electricity may not always be available.

5. Malekula

Top destination for spotting dugongs

Although dugongs are large, they can be surprisingly hard to find worldwide. However, Vanuatu offers excellent opportunities to see these “sea cows” in significant numbers. Travel to southern Malekula (a 45-minute flight from Port Vila to Lamap), part of the Maskelynes archipelago, which is famous for its abundant seagrass—this is the favorite meal of these gentle marine mammals.

Long-standing tour operator Vanuatu Ecotours, which hires local guides, offers a 4-day/3-night Maskelynes Discovery tour. While sightings aren’t guaranteed, it's uncommon not to see dugongs, with some groups featuring as many as 20 individuals. If you encounter a dugong, whether on a tour or independently, please adhere to the guidelines provided by the Vanuatu Environmental Science Society and maintain a respectful distance from the animal.

Planning tip: To boost your chances of spotting dugongs, visit Vanuatu during the winter months from June to August and go out during high tide.

6. Pentecost

Top place to witness an ancient daring tradition

Come to experience bungee jumping like never before. Demonstrating the creativity and bravery of the ni-Vanuatu people, Pentecost Island is famous for its extraordinary tradition known as naghol or land diving.

Celebrated at the beginning of the yam season when the vines are at their strongest, this tradition is seen as a rite of passage for men. According to legend, a woman was pursued up a coconut tree by her husband, and both jumped from the top. The woman survived by tying vines to her legs, while the man did not.

Nowadays, men dive from a tower, leaping as far as 30m (98ft) with vines secured to their ankles. To experience this astonishing land diving event, visit Pentecost on a Saturday between April and June.

Planning tip: While you can travel independently to Pentecost, booking a trip with an accredited tour operator is much simpler and ensures that traditional landowners receive the proper fees. Tour companies like Intrepid Travel and Air Taxi Vanuatu offer excursions, typically departing from Efate or Santo.