Essential Vanuatu: Port-Vila, Tanna, Espiritu Santo
Duration : 10 days
Route : Port-Vila (2 nights) → Tanna (3 nights, Yasur volcano) → Port-Vila → Espiritu Santo (4 nights) → return Port-Vila (1 night)
Custom travel to Vanuatu
Vanuatu is one of the most extraordinary and least visited archipelagos in the South Pacific, 83 Melanesian islands populated by 320,000 inhabitants speaking 138 different languages, the world's highest linguistic density per inhabitant. The Yasur volcano on Tanna is one of the world's most accessible volcanoes, you can approach the active crater to 200 m and observe Strombolian eruptions at dusk. The Naghol, a traditional vine jump at Pentecost, is the ancestor of bungee jumping, practiced in April-June. Espiritu Santo houses the SS President Coolidge wreck, one of the world's best wreck dives, and Champagne Beach. Port-Vila, lively tropical capital. An authentic destination for adventurous travelers. A former Franco-British condominium until 1980, Vanuatu retains a rare bilingual heritage in the Pacific, French is still taught and spoken by part of the population. The archipelago stretches nearly 1,300 km from north to south, creating remarkable diversity in landscapes and climate from one island to the next. Long ranked among the world's happiest countries by several well-being indices, Vanuatu charms visitors with the warmth of its people and the vitality of its kastom traditions, still central to daily life in many villages.
Highlights
- Yasur volcano (Tanna): eruptions accessible at 200 m
- Pentecost: traditional Naghol land jump (April-June)
- Espiritu Santo: SS President Coolidge wreck diving
- Champagne Beach: iconic white sand beach
- Port-Vila: tropical capital and market
- Melanesian culture: 138 languages, living traditions
Sample itineraries
Pentecost and Naghol (seasonal)
Duration : 12 days
Route : Port-Vila (2 nights) → Tanna (3 nights, Yasur) → Pentecost (1 day, Naghol, charter) → Espiritu Santo (4 nights) → return Port-Vila (1 night)
Espiritu Santo diving: SS President Coolidge
Duration : 10 days
Route : Port-Vila (1 night) → Espiritu Santo (8 nights, diving 5-6 days) → return Port-Vila (1 night)
When to go
Dry season (May-October, austral winter): ideal climate. Wet season (November-April): rain and possible cyclones. For Naghol: April-June only. For Yasur: year-round (check activity level, level 3+ closes access). Diving visibility at Espiritu Santo is excellent year-round but peaks between June and September. May and November, the shoulder months, offer a good balance between mild weather and softer rates.
- Dry season (May – October), Tanna, Espiritu Santo, Pentecost (April-June)
- Wet season (November – April), Off-season
- Naghol (April – June), Pentecost traditional jump
- Cyclones (January – March), Off-season
Practical information
Very safe. No visa for French citizens < 30 days. Modest dress in villages. Right-hand drive. Avoid tap water (bottled water). Tipping not mandatory. French is official (colonial heritage), spoken by 30% of population. Malaria is present in some rural areas and the northern islands (Malekula, Espiritu Santo, Pentecost); preventive antimalarial treatment is recommended depending on your itinerary, to confirm with a doctor or travel health clinic before departure. Credit cards are accepted in Port-Vila hotels but rarely elsewhere, so carry vatu cash for the islands.
Frequently asked questions
When?
May-October (dry season). April-June for Naghol at Pentecost.
How long?
10 days for Port-Vila + Tanna + Espiritu Santo. 12 days to add Pentecost (April-June).
Budget?
€3,200-€4,500 per person for 10 days in comfort. Exclusive Naghol: €7,800-€9,500. Flights: €1,600-€2,400.
Visa?
No for French citizens < 30 days.
Is Yasur dangerous?
Permanently monitored (5 activity levels). Level 1-2: access authorized 200 m. Level 3+: access closed. Always follow local guides.
How to see Naghol?
April-June only, charter flight from Port-Vila (1 h). Sacred ceremony, respectful observation, mandatory village contribution.
SS Coolidge level?
Advanced+ with 30-dive minimum. 21-50 m depth depending on zone. Medium visibility (15-20 m).
Family?
From age 12 for Yasur (ash walking, altitude cold). Port-Vila and Espiritu Santo accessible from age 8.
Is French spoken?
Yes, colonial heritage (Vanuatu was Franco-British condominium until 1980). 30% of population speaks French.
Tips?
Not mandatory.
Do I need antimalarial treatment?
Malaria is present in some rural areas and the northern islands (Malekula, Espiritu Santo, Pentecost), less so in Port-Vila and Efate. Consult a doctor or travel health clinic before departure to assess whether preventive treatment is needed based on your specific itinerary.
SIM card or eSIM on arrival?
Digicel and TVL (Telecom Vanuatu) offer prepaid SIM cards with data plans, available at Port-Vila airport and in-town shops. Coverage is good on Efate, Tanna and Espiritu Santo, more limited on remote islands like Pentecost.