Vanuatu is a great destination for families and adventure seekers alike. Click here for the ultimate Vanuatu travel guide for first-timers!
Our local friends in Vanuatu 🇻🇺
Some trips are an adventure. Others touch your soul.
I’d like to say, my recent journey to Vanuatu with my partner Joseph and our son, Kaimani was a bit of both ✨
We planned it as a holiday…but it actually turned out to be a memorable trip to the country my great-grandparents belong to. We also met a sweet follower who came up to take pictures with us. And on top of that, the deep jungles and white beaches of Vanuatu! Let’s just say, this trip is really close to my heart.
Keep reading to learn all about our experience to this island country.
Getting to Vanuatu
We like many others flew into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila (the capital city of Vanuatu). This is the main gateway into the island country, though cruising is another fun way to get here. We’d like to try it one day for sure!
Getting Around Vanuatu
Hiring a car seemed like the perfect way to explore Port Vila and its surroundings. Life gave us an immediate plot twist a flat tire on our very first day. But it was fixed quickly, and soon we were on our way to explore the island’s beauty.
Apart from hiring a car, you have the options:
- Bus—these have no fixed routes, but you can usually catch one along one of the main roads
- Taxi—these can be expensive, especially if the road conditions are bad
- Ferry—these are available between the main islands. However, they don’t operate often (some only go once per week) and they can take several hours
Joseph & Kaimani in Vanuatu
Where to Stay in Vanuatu
Vanuatu has spots to stay for every type of traveler. Some crowd favorites are:
- Ratua Private Island Resort. This is a luxury accommodation situated on a 146-acre island. The resort has 13 Indonesian-style villas.
- Iririki Island Resort and Spa. This is a mid-range resort located on a private island in Port Vila’s harbor. Its overwater bungalows are so cool.
- Bluepango Guest House. For the budget travelers. Here, you can expect basic accommodations with ocean views + a communal kitchen.
Joseph & Kaimani
What to Do in Vanuatu
Vanuatu was close to our hearts because some of our family lives there but the activities here were no less in contributing to an amazing experience! Here’s what I recommend doing:
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon Vanuatu is in a stunning setting. It is secluded from Port Vila and Efate’s main road especially with its fringe of trees and bushes. There are grassy areas for picnics, as well as toilets and change rooms (so you can get into your swimwear before launching off the rope swing). Watching Joseph and Kaimani splash around felt like pure happiness bottled in a single moment- I can’t wait to be back! However, make sure bring heaps of snacks or lunch we pulled into a local grocery store on the way as there are no food outlets here, so you want to keep that in mind.
Boat Trip to Erakor Island Resort
If paradise has a name, it might just be Erakor Island Resort. Here, you can find lush greenery, pristine beaches…you know, the kind of serenity that soothes your soul. Plus, there are so many activities to do here. Snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving all that fun stuff.
Hot Springs
About an hour’s drive from Port Vila are the Nasinu Hot Springs. A local family runs the thermal springs, and they’re relatively basic (no fancy facilities). There’s a mud bath and thermal pools, both of which claim to have healing properties.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular pastime in Vanuatu. In fact, there are so many competitions held throughout the year. You can join a deep-sea fishing trip for marlin and swordfish. Prices can be hefty, but they’re best shared between a group (which splits the cost).
Mount Yasur
This is the world’s most accessible active volcano (and one of the world’s most active volcanoes!), where you can get up close to the caldera and watch it erupt (they’re small eruptions, nothing to worry about). You can also camp around the volcano if you’re feeling extra daring.
Meet Locals
We had family in Vanuatu; watching Kaimani bond with his cousins felt like completing a circle a connection to a part of his identity that I hope when he gets older and sees photos he carries with pride. That was a bonus for us, but even if you don’t have family here, the locals will make you feel so loved! We pulled into a village and met the most welcoming people (also a great way to have a glimpse beyond tourist spots). The smiles, laughter, and curious questions from the locals made it clear why this place holds such a special connection to my family.
The beautiful staff at Warwick Spa & Resort
What to Eat in Vanuatu
We loved the food in Vanuatu, whether it was home-cooked or enjoyed at restaurants/the streetside. Here are some delicacies you want to try:
- Coconut fish curry—fresh fish folded in a curry sauce made of coconut milk, onion, garlic, and spices
- Beef fillet—you’ve got to try the grass-fed beef of Vanuatu!
- Laplap—pudding made with grated taro or yam, coconut milk, breadfruit, and meat/poultry/fish
- Baked Fish in coconut cream—uses snapper or tuna as a base, coconut cream, onion, and a few spices.
- Vanuatu coconut cake—made with shredded coconut, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla, and then baked until golden brown
- Cassava pudding—soft, sweet, and nutty-flavored pudding
Our family in Vanuatu the country of my ancestors 🥰
The Love…
Vanuatu made us feel so loved! The locals made Kaimani feel so special especially the kitchen staff of our hotel, who went out of their way! One surreal moment I’d like to mention here was being recognised by someone who followed our travel page. They approached us and even asked for photos. It was such a special experience; it reminded us of how far-reaching our little adventures have become 🥰
How Long to Spend in Vanuatu
That’s a pretty subjective question. Some people would want to stay forever, others would be ready to go back in a few days. I would say a good guideline would be one week if you’re looking to see Port Vila and its surroundings. If you want to explore two (or more) islands, book a trip of ideally two weeks.
Best Time of the Year to Visit Vanuatu
Vanuatu has two distinct seasons, and the dry season from late April to September is the most popular time to visit. Vanuatu is not yet the “hotspot” for travel, so, even during the peak season, the islands won’t get crowded.
The dry season may see higher resort prices though. If you’re looking for accommodation deals, the wet season from October to March can be a good time to visit (with the trade-off of higher humidity and a higher risk of storms).
But, don’t worry. Diving is good year-round across the archipelago 😊
How to Stay Safe in Vanuatu
The crime rate in Vanuatu is generally low. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, like petty theft, so as long as you take precautions, you should be fine. We kept our valuables safe, and made sure to lock our accommodation whenever we left.
Touring around the beautiful island Port Vila
