Vanuatu is one of those Pacific islands that gets overlooked. Too far (from Europe or Asia at least) for a quick trip, not famous enough to be a bucket list name, not cheap enough to be a backpacker staple. Which is a shame, because it’s genuinely one of the better ones.
I visited Efate, the main island and home to the capital Port Vila, and had one full day to see what I could. I rented a car, drove the island loop, saw the highlights, and left impressed enough to wish I’d given it more time.
Here’s everything you need to know. And if you’re looking to combine your Vanuatu trip with Solomon Islands – check out my guide on doing them both in one go.
Getting to Vanuatu
Vanuatu is arguably the easiest Pacific island to reach from Australia. Virgin Australia and Air Vanuatu both fly direct from Brisbane multiple times a day. Flights take around three hours and are reasonably priced compared to other Pacific routes, especially if you book in advance.
There are no direct flights from Asia, Europe or the US, so most non-Australian visitors route through Brisbane. It’s worth building a stopover into a longer itinerary rather than making Vanuatu the sole destination if you’re coming from further afield.
Getting around Efate
Efate is the main island and where the vast majority of visitors spend their time. Port Vila, the capital, is on the southwest coast. The island loop is around 120km and takes about three hours to drive without stops – a full day with them.
Renting a car is the most flexible option. Expect to pay around $95 USD for 24 hours. The catch: most rental companies in Port Vila require a credit card hold of up to $1,500 USD, which is excessive. I’d recommend skipping the airport chains and going straight to World Car Rentals in Port Vila – they only held $350 and even delivered the car to my hotel and made sure I was good with using it. A much more reasonable experience.
Hiring a taxi driver for the day is the easier option if you’d prefer not to drive. Negotiate around $120 USD for a half day island tour. Get your driver’s WhatsApp at the airport, it makes arranging the return trip simple. I did this so I could get a 7am pickup on my onwards travel day.
Organised tours – there are now some great tour options for the Efate island circuit. This wasn’t really the case during my visit in early 2025 but options have improved significantly since, with decent pricing:
🔗 Browse Efate island tours here
Note: Drive carefully. Potholes are everywhere on Efate and they appear fast. There’s no street lighting outside Port Vila either so beware with driving after dark.
What to do in Vanuatu: The Efate island loop
These are the main stops, in counter-clockwise order from Port Vila. Start no later than 9am to fit everything in comfortably.
Blue Lagoon – The main event
The instagram image of Vanuatu. And it genuinely lives up to the hype. The water is a remarkably blue, cold enough to be refreshing in the midday heat, and the surrounding jungle is chill. Rope swings, jetties to jump from, sun loungers, changing rooms, and a picnic area. Not polished, but that’s part of the appeal. I loved it here, even travelling solo I just hung out and swam. There were families and friend groups – both tourists and locals. This is the main event.
Entry: 1500 VT ($12)
Eden on the River – Worth a wander
A scenic river area in forested jungle with a calm atmosphere, You can do high ropes activities here if you plan in advance and book directly with them. But just wandering is also fine, there’s a path route through the forest. There’s also a turtle sanctuary nearby – ignore it. Google Maps shows it as a point of interest, it’s closed, and you’ll waste 30 minutes driving off-road to find confused locals and deserted huts. Speaking from experience.
Entry to site: 500 VT ($4). Other activities priced separately. More info →
Eton Beach – Chill here
White sand, clear water, and when I arrived nobody else was there. Genuinely lovely. Small entry fee and easy to reach on the island circuit. it is literally just a place to sit on the beach and chill though, there are no cafes or restaurants, so bring stuff with you if you want to spend a while here.
Entry: 500 VT ($4)
Top Rock – So worth the hype for views
A viewpoint at the northern tip of the island with stunning coastal panoramas. You drive off-road through a muddy field to get there (fine in a regular car if you take it slowly), pay entry, and are rewarded with some of the best views on Efate. There’s a restaurant at the top that can be booked in advance – they advised me that tour companies and hotels call ahead for guests – it isn’t open at any random time without a booking. There is also snorkelling with equipment available to hire here and you can climb down to the beach to do it.
Entry: 1500 VT ($12)
Nasinu Hot Springs – Optional, kind of expensive, only if you have time
Mud pools and hot water pools dug into the ground. Pretty rustic and quite deserted when I visited. It was literally just pools in the ground and a couple of people collecting entry fees, nothing else. In a group this would be more appealing but still fairly basic… maybe go just for the laughs.
Entry: 2500 VT ($20)
Evergreen Cascades – If you like hiking
A scenic waterfall requiring a 30+ minute hike. I skipped it in the rain. And also because I low key could not find the entrance. No regrets. But if you enjoy hiking and waterfalls, it comes highly recommended.
Hideaway Island – A must but you have to time it right
A small island five minutes by boat from the Port Vila coast. Home to a resort (overnight or day visitor), snorkelling, and the world’s only underwater post office. I didn’t make it and I’m still devastated. I ran out of time after setting off too late in the morning for the island loop. There were no more ferries when I got there at 4pm ish. I probably could’ve asked around for a private boat but the port was deserted. Gutted. Start earlier than I did, and check ferry times in advance.
Diving in Vanuatu
I didn’t dive in Vanuatu and I slightly regret it. The island has world-class WWII wreck diving – SS President Coolidge being the most famous, a massive ocean liner sunk in 1942 that now sits at diveable depth with remarkable visibility and marine life. There’s also exceptional reef biodiversity around Efate and the outer islands.
If you’re a diver, add at least two days to your trip. I contacted Big Blue Vanuatu before going to look at options. They’re very responsive, with a good range of options.
Where to stay in Port Vila
Reasonably priced accommodation can be pretty rustic in Port Vila and usually not central. Here’s the honest breakdown:
Mid-range: Coconut Palms – within walking distance of the centre, good value for Port Vila, comfortable enough for a couple of nights.
Higher end: Grand Hotel – centrally located and the best mid-to-upper option in Port Vila. Worth it if budget allows.
Worth knowing: Much of the Port Vila waterfront was affected by a significant earthquake in December 2024. A number of restaurants, cafes and shops were still closed or operating from temporary premises throughout 2025. The situation should be much improved, but either way area is still safe to visit and worth walking around. The waterfront area still had good coffee and ocean views, and some cute stores to browse.
Eating and drinking in Port Vila
The earthquake affected several of the best-known waterfront restaurants, so options had shifted from everything I read in pre-2025 guides. I honestly ate at Retreat Seaside Sports Bar & Resort two nights in a row and it was great for pizzas and burgers. A little outside of town but close to the place I was staying. Try the lemon Tusker beer for a way to refresh at the end of the day.
I also got iced coffee and breakfast at Rossi’s in the main downtown area. They were great, had lunch and dinner options too.
I really wanted to try the Banyan Beach Bar but it was still closed during my visit, though reviews now show it’s back open, so give it a go!
Ask your hotel for the latest recommendations as things are in flux while the waterfront rebuilds.
On budget: eating and drinking in Vanuatu is more expensive than you’d expect for a Pacific island. Budget around $25-35 USD per person for a sit-down dinner.
Internet and connectivity
Vanuatu does well here for the Pacific. SIM cards are available at the airport for around $10 for 5GB+ with LTE in Port Vila. Coverage gets patchy outside the city but is generally fine for the island circuit.
eSIMs also work fine in Vanuatu. For the full Pacific connectivity breakdown, see my Pacific internet guide.
Is Vanuatu worth visiting?
Yes. Firmly yes. The Blue Lagoon is as good as the photos suggest, the island loop is a genuinely great day out, and Port Vila has enough life and character to enjoy an evening.
My one regret: not giving it more time. At least 3 nights would feel more comfortable than one full day if you just want to see Efate. And if Espiritu Santo (home of the Blue Hole) or Tanna Island (home of the active volcano Mount Yasur) are on your radar, build in significantly more time and flexibility – domestic flights change at the last minute, and only run on certain days.
FAQ
Is Vanuatu expensive? Mid-range by Pacific standards. Expect to pay around $95/day for a car, $12-20 each for entry to main attractions, and $25-35 per person for dinner.
How many days do you need in Vanuatu? Two to three days to see Efate comfortably. One day is doable but honestly felt rushed. Divers should add at least two more.
Can I combine Vanuatu with Solomon Islands? Yes – read my Vanuatu and Solomon Islands combo guide for how to do it in a long weekend.
Where should I go after Vanuatu? Solomon Islands is the natural next stop via Air Niugini. Honiara is roughly two hours away, though flights only run on certain days. From there, Papua New Guinea is a direct flight (again only certain days, but do-able). Read my PNG tribal festivals guide for the full picture if you’re going there. Alternatively, fly back to Australia or to Fiji, and use it as a jumping off point for Tonga or Samoa.
What’s the best time to visit Vanuatu? May to October for drier weather. The wet season (November to April) brings rain and cyclone risk, though travel is still possible with flexible plans.
Also worth reading:
- How to visit Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in one trip
- Rating internet connectivity across all 14 Pacific countries
- Hot takes on visiting every country in the Pacific
- Things to do in Tonga that aren’t whale watching
- Is Tuvalu worth visiting?
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I’ve actually used or would genuinely use myself.
