The picturesque islands of Vanuatu lie in the western region of the South Pacific surrounded by their more well-known neighbours of Fiji, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. Largely unexplored, Vanuatu is a superyacht’s dream cruising destination – there is so much to do and experience.

With over 80 islands, exciting outdoor adventures, highly sought-after snorkel and dive sites and some of the friendliest people in the world, these islands offer vessels safe and secluded anchorages from which to explore this undiscovered 1300-kilometre island archipelago.

Vanuatu is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with different traditions, religions, economics, art and magic which can vary from island to island and from district to district. The Ni-Vanuatu people are of Melanesian descent and are proud of their history, culture and ancestry. The country also has over 100 distinct languages and many local dialects.

The geography and history of Vanuatu has created a landscape with a focus on outdoor activities for visitors including stunning beaches, rainforest walks, waterfalls, hiking up active volcanoes, kayaking on inland waterways, swimming in Blue Holes, snorkelling off the beaches and diving the coral reefs, caverns and wrecks. Vanuatu has a sub-tropical climate with predominantly hot weather from October to April followed by six months with cooler dry conditions between April and October.

TOP ISLANDS TO VISIT

Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo or Santo as the locals call it, is in the north of the archipelago and the largest island in the group. Its main centre is Luganville on the east coast of the island, serviced by the Santo-Pekoa International Airport. Vanuatu is famous for its stunning blue water beaches and the island of Santo does not disappoint.

MUST DO:
• Visit Champagne Beach, where freshwater gurgles up through the sand like champagne bubbles
• Swoop out over the water on rope swings at the ‘Blue Holes’ known for their azure colour and drop into the fresh crystal-clear water
• Visit the Millennium Cave and the Millennium Cave Waterfalls just an hour’s drive north of Luganville
• Trek into the rainforest to explore and climb through the prehistoric cave; then dip in the waterfall pools and finish the day floating down the river.

Efate Island

Efate Island is the harbourside capital of Port Vila and the country’s commercial and economic centre with most government departments represented. Port Vila has the main port where the cruise ships dock and international shipments arrive on one side, and a lagoon, which mainly hosts resorts and homes – on the other. The main international airport for Vanuatu, Bauerfield International, is also located here.

MUST DO:
• Swim beneath the multi-tiered rock pools and waterfalls at the Meles Cascades
• Experience traditional fire dancing at The Beach Bar in Mele at the Friday night Fire Show
• Spend the day swimming and diving into the stunning Blue Lagoon on the east coast of the island
• Shop the colourful markets for locally grown produce and handicrafts
• Taste locally handcrafted, internationally awarded artisan chocolate or ice cream at Gaston Chocolate located on the main street in Port Vila
• Visit the world’s only Underwater Post Office at Hideaway Island in Mele and send a postcard home
• Visit the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline and Skybridge at Mele to experience amazing views over Port Vila and surrounding areas.

Tanna Island

Tanna Island is one of the more remote islands in south Vanuatu and is famous for the world’s most accessible active volcano – Mt. Yasur. It has many other attractions within easy reach of its largest town of, Lenakel, as the island is only 550 sq km.

MUST DO:
• Drive and then climb to the crater of Mt. Yasur at sunrise or sunset
• Experience the live volcanic activity of ash and black sand by sand surfing down the volcano
• Ride horses on the plains of the volcano
• Dive into the huge cavern of the Blue Cave and Blue Holes #1 and #2
• Visit the Giant Banyan Tree and Lenuanatuaiu Waterfall

Gaua Island

A smaller island north of Espirito Santo, Gaua is more off the beaten track and features the active volcano of Mt. Gharta

MUST DO: 
• Hike around the caldera of Gaua’s famous crater Lake Letas and swim in the freshwater
• Visit Siri Falls, part of the volcanic caldera emptying down the slopes towards the sea
• Experience the amazing ‘Water Women of Vanuatu’

TOP DIVES OF VANUATU

SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo

The largest and most accessible wreck dive in the world lies just off Espiritu Santo Island. Originally a US luxury ocean liner, the SS President Coolidge was used as a troop ship in the Pacific during WW2. The wreck is close to 200m long and 25m wide with multiple dive sites to explore.

Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo

Named after the value of bulldozed surplus supplies by US troops after WW2, a thriving reef has now grown up through the discarded tanks, jeeps and guns attracting lively marine life.

Aore Wall, Aore Island

Just off the beach on Aore Island, this dive is also known as the Fan Dive for the giant sea fans and hard corals that cling to the vertical wall dropping 35 metres below. Strong currents allow divers to drift slowly along the face of the wall while exploring the local marine life.

The Cathedral, Efate

A vast cavern dive at the end of the Pango Peninsular to a depth of 26m with shafts of light from the ceiling creating a ‘cathedral’ like effect.

The Bonzer Wreck, Efate

This small, scuttled freighter is now a coral-covered wreck in shallow waters just off from the Hideaway Island Resort in Port Vila and is perfect for beginner divers.

Tanna Island

The volcanic island of Tanna is ringed with many underwater attractions, including truly untouched and pristine fringing reefs; a series of caves and caverns; and the more popular blue hole dives with endless swim throughs. The ‘Blue Cave’ can be snorkelled at low tide.

TOP CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Water Music Ladies

Originating in Gaua Island and known as the ‘Water Women of Vanuatu’ as only women can perform this dance, the dancers move their hands beneath the water creating a range of sounds, telling the stories of their culture.

Land Diving

Also known as the origin of bungee jumping, men on Pentecost Island launch themselves from wooden towers 20m to 30m high with vines tied to their feet. Associated with the yam harvest, land diving is performed in April, May and June each year on a weekly basis. It is a breath-holding experience even for those watching below as the nervous jumpers pray and psych themselves up to make the jump from the top of the tower while the grass skirted dancers stomp below vibrating the earth. You hear the crack of the board, the snap of the vine and see the dirt fly when their shoulder impacts the softened hillside earth and only when they stand up do you let out your breath.

Local Festivals

There are many local festivals celebrated in Vanuatu including the Fanla Festival in July centred around the mysterious Rom Dance to influence crop harvests. In the same month is the Yam & Magic Festival on Ambryn Island which includes ritual magic demonstrations.

Fresh Local Produce

Fresh food markets abound across all the islands with local produce in abundance. Vanuatu is well known for its Kava – an intoxicating non-fermented root beverage native to the Pacific Islands. Men traditionally drank kava on ceremonial occasions and for village decision making.

VANUATU PORTS OF ENTRY
• Sola, Banks
• Luganville, Espirito Santo
• Port Vila, Efate
• Lenakel, Tanna

Locally based superyacht agents are available to support visiting vessels cruising these stunning islands assisting with entry requirements, anchorages, itineraries and more.

USEFUL LINKS
• Vanuatu Tourism Office www.vanuatu.travel/
• The Rocket Guide to Vanuatu https://cruising-vanuatu.com/

Images courtesy of Vanuatu Tourism Office / David Kirkland Photography / Joel Johnson / Vanuatu Jungle Zipline