Vanuatu — Where to Go
Top Things to See
Espiritu Santo Island
Discover James A Michener's inspiration for South Pacific, Espiritu Santo Island. Here, scuba-divers can see where the liner President Coolidge and the destroyer USS Tucker rest on the seabed.
Port-Vila
Visit the capital, Port-Vila, on Efaté Island; its Cultural Center for one of the most extensive Pacific artifact collections in the world. There are also plenty of opportunities for active visitors, especially those interested in watersports.
Yasur
Drive to the summit of the world’s most accessible active volcano, Yasur, on Tanna Island. Peer into the crater at a seething mass of bubbling lava. The village of the John Frum cargo cult can also be visited; it began with the arrival of an American soldier in WWII and believers wait for him to return with great riches.
Top Things to Do
Birdwatching
Spot Vanuatu's prolific and varied birdlife. One of the best times to view birds is during the breeding season (September to January), particularly in the southern islands.
Expore underwater
The good visibility and warm temperature of Vanuatu’s waters ensure excellent scuba-diving conditions all year round. Most dive operators are located in Port-Vila, on the island of Efaté, and on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island. Numerous WWII shipwrecks, usually in fairly deep waters, lie scattered around the islands, one of the most famous being the SS President Coolidge. The Million Dollar Point, where military equipment was dumped at the end of the war, can also be visited by divers. The seabed around the offshore islands of North Efaté is renowned for its deep canyons.
Hiking
Go hiking through the lush deep-green rainforest and on various mountainous terrains, for a hearty holiday activity.
Watch the Naghol
Watch men perform the Naghol (a ritual leap) during April and May on Pentecost Island. To ensure a bountiful yam harvest, they tie vines to their ankles and leap head first from a 30m (100ft) tower. Only recently, this ceremony was opened to the public and the fee goes towards local projects.
Watersports
Vanuatu has many beautiful swimming beaches, and most hotels have pools. Kayaking, game fishing, sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing are also popular.
Top Things to See and Do
• Visit the capital, Port-Vila, on Efaté Island; its Cultural Center has one of the most extensive Pacific artifact collections in the world. There are also plenty of opportunities for active visitors, especially those interested in watersports.
• Drive to the summit of the world’s most accessible active volcano, Yasur, on Tanna Island. Peer into the crater at a seething mass of bubbling lava. The village of the John Frum cargo cult can also be visited; it began with the arrival of an American soldier in WWII and believers wait for him to return with great riches.
• Discover James A Michener’s inspiration for South Pacific, Espiritu Santo Island. Here, scuba-divers can see where the liner President Coolidge and the destroyer USS Tucker rest on the seabed.
• Watch men perform the Naghol (a ritual leap) during April and May on Pentecost Island. To ensure a bountiful yam harvest; they tie vines to their ankles and leap from a 30m (100ft) tower, falling head first. Only the vine saves them from death. Only recently, this ceremony was opened to the public and the fee goes towards local projects.
• Explore Vanuatu’s underwater world. The good visibility and warm temperature of Vanuatu’s waters ensure excellent conditions for scuba-diving, which can be practiced all year round. Most dive operators are located in Port-Vila, on the island of Efaté, and on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island. Numerous WWII shipwrecks, usually in fairly deep waters, lie scattered around the islands, one of the most famous being the SS President Coolidge. The Million Dollar Point, where military equipment was dumped at the end of the war, can also be visited by divers. The seabed around the offshore islands of North Efaté is renowned for its deep canyons.
• Enjoy the numerous other watersports on offer. There are many beautiful beaches suitable for swimming and most hotels have pools. Kayaking, game fishing, sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing are also popular.
• Spot Vanuatu’s prolific and varied birdlife. One of the best times to view birds is during the breeding season (September to January), particularly in the southern islands.
• Go hiking through the rainforest and in the mountains.
