Vanuatu Holiday Islands

The 83 beautiful islands that comprise Vanuatu are located approximately two and a half hours flying time north east of Australia's Queensland coast. Air Vanuatu fly from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Espiritu Santo, Port Villa and Tanna. Virgin Australia also offers regular flights from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to Port Vila, Vanuatu's capital situated on the southern island of Efate. Regular international flights also operate into Port Vila from Fiji and New Zealand.

Most of the islands are mountainous and of volcanic origin, and have a tropical or sub-tropical climate. While there are 83 islands, the major destinations for travellers are listed below.

Efate

Efate is the main island of Vanuatu, where the capital Port Vila is situated and where the majority of commerce and tourism activities take place. The international airport is a 10 minutes drive from town and all major resorts and hotels. Vila is a pretty town. The island has a rugged coastline and rolling verdant countryside, fast flowing rivers, cascading waterfalls, isolated sandy bays and lagoons. Port Vila is located around a magnificent natural harbour offering stunning views of Iririki, Ifira islands, and a look out all the way to Malapoa Point.

Espritu Santo

Santo is known as "Vanuatu's Island of Adventure". Apart from being a mecca for divers who come for the world-class diving on World War II wrecks, including the S.S. President Coolidge, the island offers beautiful beaches with spectacular snorkelling and kayaking in the crystal clear blue water, trekking through untouched rainforests, and cultural exchanges with the indigenous locals. The highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana at 1879 m.

Pentecost

Pentecost Island is famous for the land diving ritual (Nagol or N'gol) which is on show every Saturday between April and June. Local men and boys as young as seven jump from a 20 -30 metre high manmade tower with only a vine attached to their legs. The tower itself takes locals five weeks to build using materials from the forest.

Ambrym

Ambrym is famous for its black magic, while in the north, you'll find some of the best wood carvings in the Pacific, and the mysterious Rom dance. There is also easy access to Mt Marum and Mt Benbow volcanoes. The North coast offers good snorkeling opportunities to view dugongs, large sea turtles and stunning reef fish.

Tanna

Home to one of the world's most accessible volcanos, Mt Yasur is just a one hour drive from Tanna's White Grass Airport followed by a short 10 minute walk to the crater rim. It is best viewed at dusk so at least one night stay in Tanna is recommended. You can also swim in underwater caves, snorkel on some of the best coral in the South Pacific, visit untouched waterfalls, and experience an ancient culture which has the unusual twist of coming under the thrall of a cargo cult by the name of John Frum.

Aneityum

Aneityum is the southernmost inhabited island in the Vanuatu archipelago. As with all the major islands throughout Vanuatu, it's origins are volcanic and the landscape mountainous. Rich volcanic soils and a slightly more temperate climate encouraged the growth of magnificent stands of sandalwood trees. The only accommodation on Aneityum is at Mystery Island Guesthouse.

Banks and Torres

Vanuatu's northernmost islands, having the highest rainfall and humidity of all the islands, with an average rainfall of 3,900 mm per year. There are active volcanoes on Gaua and Vanua Lava islands.

Epi

The island interior is rugged terrain of recent volcanic activity covered with lush rainforest. On the coast you'll find beautiful white sandy coves, many white and some black sand beaches, and inshore reefs. There are several small lakes where you can fish and swim. There are few trafficible roads.

Malekula

Malekula is the second largest island and the most diverse, culturally and linguistically, with over thirty distinct languages spoken. Some of the best custom dances come from the island. The names given to the primary cultural groups are Small Nambas and Big Nambas. The interior of Malekula is mountainous, rugged and forest-covered with good walking and bird watching.