Things to do in Vanuatu
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Snorkeling in Efate: Sailing day cruise with lunchSnorkel two coral reef sites off Efate aboard the sailing yacht Major Tom, with a local guide, fresh BBQ lunch prepared onboard, and a stop at Mamas Market for local handicrafts. The five- to seven-hour day includes hotel pickup and transfers, snorkel gear, life jackets, and access to kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Book this if you want to sail rather than speed across the water—the five to seven hours aboard Major Tom means you spend the day moving through the Havannah at the pace of the boat, not racing between stops. The snorkeling is the anchor, but the sailing itself is what makes this day different from a speedboat version.
Vanuatu Jungle Zipline & 180m Skybridge with Port Vila PickupYou're picked up from downtown Port Vila and driven to the zipline site, where you clip into a harness and cross six lines and a 180-metre suspension bridge over a canyon with views to Mele Bay. The guide handles all gear and safety checks; you bring water and closed shoes. The full tour takes about 4.5 hours including transfers, with roughly an hour spent on the lines and bridge themselves.Is it for me?Right for anyone based in Port Vila who wants a real adrenaline activity without arranging transport or worrying about safety gear—the included pickup and guide handle all of that, leaving you to focus on the canyon and the views.
Rentapao River Kayaking from Port Vila: Rainforest & Rope SwingSmall-group kayaking on the Rentapao River near Port Vila, Vanuatu, with hotel pickup and a local guide who leads you paddling upstream and downstream through rainforest, followed by swimming and a rope swing. The tour runs about 3.5 hours and includes a tropical fruit platter by the river; you choose between a 9am or 1:30pm departure at checkout.Is it for me?Book the morning departure if you want the full day to unfold without rushing, or the afternoon slot if you prefer a later start and don't mind returning closer to evening. Either way, you're paddling a river that stays gentle enough for families and swimmers, not a whitewater run.
Vanuatu: Blue Lagoon, Turtle Swimming & Eden WaterfallYou swim with sea turtles in an enclosed pool, spend an hour each at Blue Lagoon and Eden on the River waterfall, and get lunch included. The tour runs 6 hours total and drops you back at the wharf in time for your ship's departure, so you don't have to manage the clock yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving by cruise ship and want the main natural swimming spots around Port Vila without arranging transport, entry fees, or timing — the fixed schedule gets you back to the wharf in time for departure.
Bridges of Eden Guided Tour & River Swimming: Half DayYou get picked up from your hotel, swim at Blue Lagoon for an hour, then move to Eden on the River for another hour in the cascade pools, with a local guide handling the route and timing. The whole trip runs about four hours, and you're back before lunch. No transport to arrange, no guessing which spots are safe or worth the drive.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Port Vila who want to swim at two natural spots without arranging transport or figuring out which places are safe and worth the drive. The half-day length means you're back by early afternoon with the rest of your day free.
Efate Island: Full-Day Round Trip with Blue Lagoon & KavaYou’ll swim in Efate’s Blue Lagoon, hear wild stories from chiefs at Pepeyo Cultural Village, soak in mud baths, taste island-grown coffee, and finish with kava shared among locals—all with pickup included. Expect laughter, new flavors, and those small moments that make Vanuatu feel close even after you leave.
Vanuatu Jungle Zipline: 6 lines across canyons, self-drive optionThe Vanuatu Jungle Zipline is a 3.5-hour activity where you zip across six lines totaling 1.4 kilometers through jungle ravines and canyons, then walk a 120-metre Skybridge and tour Summit Gardens with a professional guide. Children from age 5 can participate when accompanied by an adult; the weight limit is 120 kilograms. You drive yourself to the site, and the guide meets you there.Is it for me?You drive yourself to the site and the guide handles everything else—safety setup, timing between ziplines, the route through the gardens—so you're free to focus on the ride and the views instead of navigating or managing logistics.
Vanuatu: Buggy Adventure, Blue Lagoon & Eden on the RiverYou’ll get muddy behind the wheel on this Vanuatu buggy adventure, then cool off with swims at Eton Blue Lagoon and Eden on the River. With a local guide leading and lunch included, you’ll laugh, splash, and maybe even surprise yourself along the way.
Port Vila Airport Transfer: Fast Hotel Dropoff & Friendly DriverYou’ll step off your flight in Port Vila and spot your driver waiting with a smile—no searching or stress. Settle into an air-conditioned ride while you catch glimpses of local life on the way to your hotel. With friendly conversation and zero hassle, this airport transfer makes arriving in Vanuatu feel like someone’s already looking out for you.
Port Vila: Private Minivan Day Hire with Custom ItineraryYou’ll shape your own Port Vila adventure—pick every stop with your local guide’s help, taste fresh fruit straight from the market, and travel at your own pace in an air-conditioned minivan. The freedom to linger or move on makes each moment yours.
Vanuatu: Hideaway Island, Blue Lagoon & Eden on the River Day TripYou’ll swim in Vanuatu’s electric blue lagoon, snorkel among coral gardens at Hideaway Island (yes, you can send an underwater postcard), and relax by Eden on the River’s gentle cascades with lunch included. With pickup from your hotel or port and a local guide who knows every shortcut, it feels less like a tour — more like tagging along with friends who grew up here.
Port Vila cultural tour: Pepeyo Village & Blue Lagoon swimA full-day guided tour from Port Vila visits Pepeyo Cultural & Educational Village in the Teouma woods, where you're greeted by the chief and warriors, then swim in the Blue Lagoon's fresh and salt water mix, and spend an hour at Eden on the River waterfall. The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, lunch, and pickup from your hotel or cruise ship port.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see how a Vanuatu village actually lives—the hunting, fishing and food testing—rather than a staged performance, and you're comfortable swimming in natural water with a rope swing as an option.
Bridges of Eden Vanuatu: Suspension Bridges & Zipline TourBridges of Eden is a guided tour at Eden on the River in Vanuatu where you cross three suspension bridges of increasing difficulty through tropical gardens and riparian rainforest, then descend a mini zipline to the river landing. The tour runs 2 to 4 hours with a local guide in English or French; light refreshments and all fees are included. You'll need to bring towels, swimmers and reefwalkers. The tour suits ages 4 to 85 with moderate fitness, though it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries.Is it for me?Book with transfers if you're arriving without a rental car and want the logistics arranged; choose self-drive if you have transport sorted and prefer to meet the guide at the site.
Tanna Island: Mt. Yasur Volcano & Blue Cave Full DayYou take a 30-minute boat to a blue cave where you swim, eat lunch on the island, then spend the afternoon and evening at Mt. Yasur watching magma glow as the sun sets. Transport and lunch are included; the day runs from morning until around 8pm, so bring water and wear shoes that grip.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see an active volcano and swim in clear water without arranging two separate trips—the full-day structure combines both into one outing, with transport and a meal handled for you.
Mt Yasur Volcano Tanna Island: Afternoon Climb & Lava WatchYou climb to the active rim of Mount Yasur, the world's most accessible volcano, and watch it erupt in real time from meters away. Hotel pickup, a local guide, and refreshments are included. The afternoon departure gets you back before evening, and the whole experience takes several hours of walking and standing at altitude.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying on Tanna Island who want to see an active volcano up close without needing mountaineering skills or days of travel. The afternoon timing and moderate fitness requirement mean you're climbing in daylight and back by evening, though the altitude and ash plains demand steady legs and a willingness to walk.
Tanna Island Full Day Tour: Mt Yasur Volcano & Hot SpringsA full day guided tour of Tanna Island, Vanuatu, that takes you to Mount Yasur volcano, hot springs, shark bay and several cultural sites with a local English or French-speaking guide and hotel pickup included. The tour climbs to the smoking rim of Mount Yasur in the afternoon, where the volcano rumbles and ejects lava and ash hundreds of meters into the air. A moderate fitness level is needed for the volcano climb and the day runs 10 to 12 hours.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see an active volcano up close and understand the full geography of Tanna Island in a single day. The local guide and community-owned operation mean you are supporting the island directly, and the full day pace lets you move through multiple ecosystems and cultural sites without feeling rushed between stops.
Yakel Village, Waterfall & Mt. Yasur Volcano Tour on TannaThis full-day private tour on Tanna takes you to three separate sites: Yakel custom village, where you watch traditional dance and meet residents with ties to England; Lapilmai waterfall, a 50- to 60-meter drop where you swim for an hour; and Mt. Yasur volcano, where you spend the evening watching lava from the rim. Lunch is included, and your guide speaks English or French. The day runs 12 hours total, with 2 hours of driving to the volcano and a 4h30pm arrival at the volcano entrance for a briefing before sunset viewing.Is it for me?Your guide speaks English or French, so you follow the commentary comfortably throughout the day. The 12-hour span and moderate physical demands suit travelers who can handle a full day of driving and walking to three separate sites, with the volcano viewing timed for sunset.
Mt Yasur sunrise tour on Tanna Island: Private volcano with guideA private sunrise tour on Mt Yasur volcano in Tanna Island, Vanuatu, with a live guide in English or French, private transportation and volcano entry included. The tour departs early in the morning to reach the crater before dawn, so you see both the eruptions and the sunrise from the same vantage point. Duration runs 3 to 4 hours. WiFi is available on board during transport.Is it for me?The early departure is what lets you see the eruptions and the sunrise together—if you want to sleep in, a later tour of the volcano won't show you the lava glow. The uneven crater terrain and the 3 to 4 hour commitment mean this tour works best for travelers comfortable with an early start and a few hours on your feet.
