Port Vila: River Kayak Tour with Rope Swing & Fruit Platter

Summary

Kayak the Rentapao River swim snack & play in Vanuatu’s rainforest

You’ll paddle along Vanuatu’s Rentapao River with a local guide, passing rainforest and village life at river level. Try your luck on the tarzan rope swing, then relax by the water with fresh tropical fruit before heading back to Port Vila—muddy hands and all.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try the rope?” our guide grinned, already untying it from a tree that looked older than everyone in our group combined. We’d just finished paddling upstream on the Rentapao River — not hard work, honestly, but my arms felt it anyway. The water was cool and greenish, with little flashes of light where the sun broke through all that thick Vanuatu jungle. I kept drifting off course because I was too busy watching tiny birds flick around or listening to whatever birdcall echoed over us (I swear one sounded like a phone ringtone). The river kayaking tour from Port Vila started with an open-air truck ride that left my hair smelling faintly of dust and flowers — not unpleasant at all.

I didn’t expect to see so many kids waving from the banks as we passed. Some were just splashing each other, others yelled “hello!” in English before dissolving into giggles. Our local guide — I think his name was Samu? — pointed out some wild ginger plants and told us about how they use them for cooking and medicine. He also laughed when my friend tried to say “thank you” in Bislama; apparently we completely butchered it. There’s something about being on a kayak, close to the waterline, that makes everything feel slower and softer. Even when someone fell in (not me this time), nobody rushed.

The best part? After paddling back downstream (easier than up), we got to flop onto the grass by their little “base” — more garden than anything official. Someone brought out a platter of pineapple and papaya that tasted way sweeter than what I get at home, maybe because my hands were still wet from swimming or maybe just because I was hungry. The tarzan rope is harder than it looks; I only managed one proper swing before letting go too soon and making a huge splash. Everyone cheered anyway, so yeah, worth it.

On the drive back to Port Vila I noticed how quiet everyone got — tired but happy kind of quiet. My legs still felt wobbly from balancing in the kayak but in a good way. If you’re looking for a day trip from Port Vila that isn’t just sitting on a bus or beach, this is it. Sometimes I still remember how cold that first dip felt after sweating in the sun all morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayaking and river activities at Rentapao

• Pick up from accommodation
• Drive to Rentapao River
• Kayak upstream and downstream
• Swim and play on tarzan rope
• Relax with fresh fruit platter
• Drive back to accommodation

Top questions

How long is the river kayaking tour from Port Vila?

The kayaking portion lasts up to 2 hours, plus driving time from your accommodation near Port Vila.

Is hotel pickup included for this kayak tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Port Vila.

Do I need previous kayaking experience?

No previous experience is needed; it's suitable for all fitness levels.

Are life jackets provided on this river kayaking tour?

Yes, optional life jackets are available if you want them.

Is food included during the kayaking trip?

A fresh tropical fruit platter is served by the river after kayaking.

Can children join this Port Vila kayak tour?

Yes, children are welcome; infants up to 5 years old join free of charge.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (for selected hotels), guided river kayaking with all equipment provided (life jackets if you want), plenty of time for swimming or swinging on their tarzan rope into clear water, plus a fresh tropical fruit platter served right by the riverbank before heading home again.