What to see in Vanuatu: 8 must-sees
Discover what to see in Vanuatu: 8 must-see destinations, from Port Vila Beach to Port Vila. Predominantly beach and city; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
Beach(6)
Cross the white sand of Port Vila Beach on Efate to the clear water, where snorkeling among corals is the main activity. Swim over the reefs near the shore, sample the dishes at the seaside restaurants, and walk the shoreline at sunset. It's the capital's liveliest beach, but there are still quiet stretches where you can swim in peace and rest in the shade.
Behold Espiritu Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu, where the pale sand of Champagne Beach meets turquoise waters ideal for swimming. Swim over the freshwater blue holes hidden in the jungle or dive the wreck of the SS President Coolidge, an ocean liner sunk in 1942 near Luganville. At Million Dollar Point you'll see trucks and American military equipment dumped into the sea after World War II, now covered in coral and fish.
The curve of white sand at Champagne Beach, on the coast of Espiritu Santo, where the water is so clear the corals can be seen from the shore. Put on your mask and swim over the shallow reefs, or walk along the beach without meeting almost anyone outside cruise ship days. At midday the sand heats up, and the bubbles from the volcanic seabed remind you where its name comes from. Get there by taxi from Luganville, about 45 minutes by road, and stay until the light fades over the Santo Channel.
Swim at Riri Beach, the closest beach to Tanna's volcano, in Vanuatu. Snorkel among the corals of its crystal-clear waters, stroll along the fine white sand, and take in the views of the volcano. The proximity to local communities lets you experience the island's culture while you swim and relax by the sea.
Walk the shore of Port Olry, northeast of Santo, where white sand stretches alongside a calm turquoise sea. Snorkel over the coral reefs close to shore, spot tropical fish among the rocky formations, and walk out to the sand islets that emerge at low tide. End the day at the small local restaurants by the beach, sampling fresh lobster as evening falls.
Camp beside Nirvana Beach, in Santo, and wake up facing a calm, crystal-clear sea. Snorkel among the corals near the shore, where tropical fish move among colorful formations. Stroll the fine white sand at sunset, with palm trees providing shade during the hottest hours. The people of nearby villages share their culture with visitors through music and local food. Here, swimming, relaxation, and Vanuatu's nature coexist without crowds.
City(1)
Visit Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu on the island of Efate, where the market by the waterfront is open 24 hours and women sell fruit, flowers, and local food by the bay. Stroll the harbor promenade, try kava at a nakamal at sunset, and head up to the lookout to see the motu dotting the turquoise water. Amid Catholic churches, Chinese shops, and stalls of Melanesian crafts, the city blends ni-Vanuatu tradition, Franco-British heritage, and the everyday life of the South Pacific's smallest capital.
Natural(1)
Climb to the rim of Mount Yasur, one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu. Feel the ground vibrate as lava bursts just a few meters away and ash tints the evening sky. Camp on the slope and listen to the roars through the night. On the volcano's slopes, hardy ferns and endemic birds coexist with local villages, whose inhabitants consider the mountain a sacred place. Strombolian eruptions repeat every few minutes, guaranteeing a constant spectacle for those who make it up to the crater.
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