Witness the Nagol land diving ritual on Pentecost Island
A centuries-old tradition where men leap from tall wooden towers with vines tied to their ankles, directly credited as the inspiration for modern bungee jumping.
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Things to do in Vanuatu
An archipelago consistently ranked among the world's happiest nations, an active volcano you can walk right up to the edge of at night, and a bungee jumping tradition that predates the modern sport by centuries.
Explore Vanuatu on the map →Budget$$
Best for7-9 days
CapitalPort Vila
VisaVisa-free entry for up to 90 days for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders.
CurrencyVanuatu vatu (VUV)
LanguagesBislama, English, and French (all official)
InternetGood on Efate, more limited on outer islands
Typical lodging$35–$95/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type I plug)
Time zoneUTC+11
Emergency numberConfirm with your accommodation on arrival.
Dialing code+678
★★★★★ Adventure★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Wildlife
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended on smaller islands. Not customary.
Vanuatu has repeatedly ranked among the world's happiest and most content nations in international wellbeing surveys, despite modest material wealth, a reputation widely attributed to strong community bonds and traditional kastom culture. The island of Pentecost is home to the original land diving ritual (Nagol), in which men leap from tall wooden towers with only vines tied to their ankles, a centuries-old tradition directly credited as the inspiration for modern bungee jumping.
When to go
Dry seasonMay–October
The most popular and comfortable window nationally, with lower humidity and reduced rainfall.
Wet seasonNovember–April
Warmer and more humid with regular rain, including the Pacific cyclone risk window.
Cyclone risk windowJanuary–March
The highest tropical cyclone risk period, monitor forecasts closely if traveling in this window.
Land diving seasonApril–June
The traditional Nagol land diving ritual on Pentecost Island takes place during this specific window tied to the yam harvest.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
6Visit a traditional kastom village on Tanna Island
Communities practicing kastom, traditional pre-colonial Melanesian culture and beliefs, offer respectful cultural visits reflecting Vanuatu's genuine living heritage.
Explore Port Vila's markets and waterfront
Vanuatu's capital on Efate island offers a relaxed waterfront and lively produce market reflecting everyday ni-Vanuatu life.
Visit the John Frum cargo cult village on Tanna
A distinctive syncretic religious movement that emerged after WWII, with a village still actively practicing its traditions, viewable respectfully with a local guide.
Visit Ekasup Cultural Village near Port Vila
A living cultural village demonstrating traditional ni-Vanuatu bush skills, medicine, and customs in a rainforest setting close to the capital.
Visit a traditional Vanuatu sand drawing demonstration
A UNESCO-recognized art and communication form unique to Vanuatu, where intricate patterns are drawn in sand to convey stories and messages.
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Adventure & outdoors
6Visit the crater rim of Mount Yasur, an active volcano$65–85
One of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, with guided visits right to the crater edge, especially dramatic during nighttime eruptions.
Snorkel or dive the SS President Coolidge wreck
One of the largest and most accessible shipwreck dives in the world, a WWII troop transport resting near Espiritu Santo island.
Explore the Millennium Cave on Espiritu Santo
A demanding jungle trek combining river crossings, a cave system, and a return journey by bamboo raft, one of Vanuatu's signature adventure activities.
Sail or kayak the waters around Efate's coastline
Efate's sheltered bays and nearby islands offer accessible sailing and kayaking close to Port Vila.
Visit Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary near Port Vila
A small protected marine reserve with an underwater post office, a novelty attraction alongside genuinely good snorkeling.
Snorkel the coral gardens around Tanna Island
Tanna's coastline offers accessible reef snorkeling as a lower-key complement to the island's more famous volcano trekking.
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Nature & scenery
3Swim in the Blue Holes of Espiritu Santo
A series of strikingly clear, vividly blue freshwater swimming holes fed by underground springs, among Vanuatu's most photographed natural sites.
Explore the Cascades waterfall near Port Vila
A multi-tiered freshwater waterfall with swimmable pools, an easily accessible half-day trip from the capital.
Explore the Mele Cascades near Port Vila
A series of turquoise cascading pools set in a rainforest, one of the most popular and accessible natural swimming spots near the capital.
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Food & drink
4Eat laplap, Vanuatu's national dish
Grated root vegetables and coconut cream wrapped in leaves and cooked in an underground oven, considered the country's defining national dish.
Try Vanuatu's tuluk, a taro-leaf-wrapped meat dish
Meat wrapped in taro leaves and cooked slowly, a genuine ni-Vanuatu culinary tradition reflecting the country's root-vegetable-based cuisine.
Try Vanuatu's kava at a traditional nakamal
A mildly sedative traditional drink made from the kava root, consumed communally at village nakamal gathering places as a genuine daily social ritual.
Try Vanuatu's flying fox and island cabbage dishes
Traditional ni-Vanuatu dishes using local ingredients reflect the country's genuinely distinct Melanesian food culture, found at village feasts and local eateries.
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Beaches
1Snorkel the Champagne Beach on Espiritu Santo
Consistently ranked among the South Pacific's finest beaches, with fine white sand and clear, calm water.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Vanuatu?
Most Western passport holders, including US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens, can enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism.
▾Can I visit an active volcano in Vanuatu?
Yes. Mount Yasur on Tanna Island is one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, with guided visits right to the crater rim, including dramatic nighttime viewing of the glowing eruptions.
▾What is the Nagol land diving ritual?
A centuries-old tradition on Pentecost Island where men leap from tall wooden towers with only vines tied to their ankles, tied to the yam harvest and directly credited as the inspiration for modern bungee jumping.
▾Why does Vanuatu rank so highly on happiness surveys?
Despite modest material wealth, Vanuatu has repeatedly ranked among the world's happiest and most content nations, a reputation widely attributed to strong community bonds and traditional kastom culture.
▾How many days does Vanuatu need?
7-9 days lets you combine Efate's main sights with a trip to Tanna's volcano or a cultural visit further afield, given inter-island travel typically requires small domestic flights.
▾How much does it cost to visit Mount Yasur volcano?
A combined access and guide fee, paid to the local landowning community, typically runs around VUV 8,000-10,000 (about $65-85) per person. It's one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, with viewing platforms close enough to see lava activity, which is reflected in the fee relative to other Pacific attractions.