6 of the best islands to visit in Vanuatu

26.07.2024 - 17:26 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 26, 2024 • 8 min read

Vanuatu may be frequently overlooked in favor of its more famous eastern South Pacific neighbor, Fiji, but a wallflower it’s not. With its warm waters, colorful Melanesia culture, active volcanoes and impossibly blue swimming holes, there are plenty of ways to sink into this nation's laid-back island vibes. 

But you’ll also be spoilt for choice: Vanuatu is home to over 80 idyllic islands embedded like emeralds over a total area of 12,189 sq km (4706 sq miles). Many are difficult to access, which only adds to the sense of adventure. Most visitors choose to base themselves on the island of Efate – home to the country’s capital city, Port Vila – and select one of the outlying islands to experience life with kastom (traditional) tribes. 

While it's possible to travel between Vanuatu's islands by boat, it can be time-consuming. Instead, most visitors travel by plane, which operate to most major islands daily. The country's national airline, Air Vanuatu, is currently grounded, but air taxis are still available including through Air Taxi Vanuatu and Unity Airlines.

Plan your vacation to Vanuatu with this guide to the archipelago's most accessible islands and the best things to do there. 

Best island for market shopping

Set your clock and expectations to “island time” as you arrive on the island of Efate, and everything will be just fine in this laconic locale. Home to the country's capital, Port Vila, Efate is the country's most populous island and where most visitors land upon arrival, either by plane or cruise ship. 

It's also well known for its markets and there are several places to part with your Vatu (Vanuatu’s currency) and support the local economy here. Stretching along the harbor front, you’ll find a shaded marketplace – locally called the Mama’s Market – where women in floral island dresses peddle homemade wares such as earrings, sarongs and sturdy handwoven baskets.

A short amble further along the waterfront and you’ll hear the cacophony of the Port Vila Central Markets, where producers gather to sell seasonal tropical fruit and vegetables, including varieties of yams (so beloved they're featured on the local currency). Grab a fresh coconut juice (around 100VT) and wander to witness the spectacle or stop to sample laplap, Vanuatu's national dish. It's typically made with a paste of grated yams or bananas, meat and coconut cream, which is then wrapped in banana leaves to cook.  

Local tip: Haggling isn’t done in markets here. Prices are clearly marked and payment is expected in Vatu. Arrive early for the best produce and bring your own fabric bag (plastic is frowned upon).

Best place to swim in natural springs

Toasty tropical weather year-round makes Vanuatu the ideal