Planning Your Trip to Vanuatu

Planning a trip to Vanuatu? With over 83 islands and a wide range of natural and cultural experiences on offer, choosing where to begin can feel overwhelming. But no problem, the team here at Travel Solutions Vanuatu is here to help you craft a smooth, memorable itinerary — whether it’s your first time visiting or a return adventure!

We’ll walk you through how to get here, where to go, and what to expect — plus a few helpful tips to make your planning easier.

✈️ Getting to Vanuatu
Most international travelers arrive in Vanuatu via Port Vila (Bauerfield International Airport) on the island of Efate. There are:

Daily flights from Brisbane (Australia) and Nadi (Fiji)
Up to 3 flights per week from Sydney (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand)
Weekly flights from Honiara (Solomon Islands) and Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea).

You can also fly internationally into Luganville on Espiritu Santo, served by Solomon Airlines from Brisbane, Auckland, and Honiara — schedules vary, so please check with the airline directly.

🛩️ Getting Around the Islands
Travel between islands is mainly by Air Vanuatu. The main domestic routes (Tanna, Santo, Port Vila) are serviced by a 72-seat aircraft, operating daily except Tuesdays (current schedule). Smaller islands are accessed by:

18-seater aircraft (regular flights)
Islander planes via air charter companies (8-seater, private hire only).

Charter flights give you access to more remote islands, but you’ll usually need to cover the full charter cost.

While coastal shipping is also an option, just remember the schedules can vary according to weather conditions and operational factors.

Island Highlights & Suggested Itineraries

Efate / Port Vila
If your stay in Vanuatu is under 5 days, we recommend focusing on Efate. From the capital, Port Vila, you can enjoy:

Island tours, waterfalls, kayaking, hiking, cultural villages
Day trips to Efate’s offshore islands, such as Vanuatu Ecotours – Nguna Outer Island Adventure or Vanuatu Ecotours – Pele Paradise. These islands can be safely accessed by small boat
A broad range of accommodation options from boutique resorts to city hotels
Looking for something special? Air charter companies also offer day tours to Yasur Volcano (Tanna) or land diving on Pentecost (April–June, Saturdays only).

Tanna Island
Tanna is a must-visit for those wanting to witness Yasur Volcano, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes. While day trips are possible, we highly recommend spending 2–3 nights to enjoy:

Volcano tours
Kastom village visits
Stunning coastal landscapes

💡 Tip: Pre-book your Tanna experience! Space is limited and planes and resorts fill up quickly.

View our recommended tour here: Tanna Adventure – Travel Solutions Vanuatu

Espiritu Santo
Santo is known for its pristine blue holes, white sand beaches, and world-class diving — including the famous SS President Coolidge wreck dive.

With both cultural and nature-based experiences available, our Essential Santo package (4 days / 3 nights) is your best-value option for exploring the island.

View the tour here: Essential Santo – Travel Solutions Vanuatu

Beyond the “Big Three”: Other Islands
If you’re looking to explore beyond Efate, Tanna, and Santo, here are some incredible options:

Pentecost Island: Known for its land diving ceremony, there is much more to explore! We recommend a 3-day guided tour including a return charter flight Pentecost: Dive Deeper | Vanuatu Ecotours | Vanuatu Land Diving
Southern Malekula: A hidden gem with the chance to swim with dugongs Maskelynes Discovery | Vanuatu Ecotours
Ambrym (coming soon): A new adventure in development — combining natural beauty and cultural exploration.

Vanuatu Travel Tips

Flights: Flights to smaller islands can be irregular. Be flexible, and allow for possible schedule changes due to weather or airline availability. We recommend you keep a buffer day (or two) between domestic and international flights! There are limited luggage allowances on all flights so pack light or store your extra luggage at your accommodation, or our office at our office (free-of-charge for booked guests)

Accommodation: Outside of Efate, Tanna, and Santo, there are no major resorts. Instead, you’ll find village bungalows and locally run guesthouses — ideal for travelers seeking authentic, immersive experiences

Time of Year to Visit: December through to April is warmer and wetter. You will often enjoy beautiful still weather in this time, and although there is a chance of cyclones you will generally know well in advance if a cyclone is to pass through Vanuatu waters. From May to November it is cooler and drier, with tradewinds from the southeast. These winds can be fresh and bring passing showers. The busiest time of the year coincides with Australian school holidays as families come to Vanuatu to enjoy a week in paradise!

Need Help Planning?

We hope this page gives you a better idea of what to expect when traveling to Vanuatu. Let us help you design a personalized itinerary based on your interests, travel style, and timeline — using our local knowledge and trusted networks.

Visas: Vanuatu welcomes visitors! Applying for a tourist visa to Vanuatu depends on your home country’s status:

If you are from an exempted country, you can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival in Vanuatu, provided you meet the criteria
If you are from a non-exempted country, you must apply for the visa in advance and obtain approval before traveling to Vanuatu
A list of non-exempted countries can be found at Visa exempted countries – Department of Immigration and Passport Services

Discover the thrill of

Our Vanuatu Packages

Tanna Adventure

Tanna – Vanuatu
4 days / 3 nights

A truly unforgettable experience with an active volcano, ash plains, custom village, kava, black magic, and beautiful resort accommodation.

Essential Santo

Espiritu Santo – Vanuatu
4 days / 3 nights

Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu’s largest island, boasting world-class beaches and a range of water sports, plus inland and cultural adventures

The Vanuatu Experience

Vanuatu
7 days / 6 nights

Experience four islands in seven days of unforgettable adventure! Volcanoes, villages, Vanuatu culture and more, with a choice of accommodation.

beautiful girl walking on a hill in Vanuatu with Travel Solutions Vanuatu

Design Your Own Adventure

Planning to stay for longer, or shorter? Fancy swimming with dugongs in south Malekula or witnessing the famous land diving ceremony of Pentecost? How about diving the world-famous SS Coolidge wreck or just relaxing on some of the world’s best beaches? Tell us what you want and we will craft a special itinerary to meet your individual needs.

Travel Solutions Vanuatu

Discover Tanna

Essential Santo

Planning Your Trip to Vanuatu

Island Highlights & Suggested Itineraries

Vanuatu Travel Tips

Our Vanuatu Packages

Tanna Adventure

Essential Santo

The Vanuatu Experience

Design Your Own Adventure

Let us help you plan your Vanuatu holiday

Get in touch