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Vanuatu Tours and Travel

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YPT Tours To Vanuatu

YPT are pleased to announce our Vanuatu tours and travel packages for 2026 and 2027, inclusive of both group and independent Vanuatu tours.

Vanuatu is a small island nation in the South Pacific, spread across 83 islands covering 12,189 km². The name means “Our Land Forever,” and the country has been continuously inhabited for more than 3,000 years, first settled by Lapita peoples. Over time, these communities developed one of the most linguistically and culturally dense societies on Earth, with more than 100 Indigenous languages still spoken today.

Prior to European contact, many islands in what is now Vanuatu practised forms of ritual warfare and, in some cases, cannibalism. These practices largely disappeared with missionary influence in the nineteenth century, but they remain an important part of Vanuatu’s historical record and are still discussed openly in museums, village storytelling, and cultural interpretation today.

European involvement came relatively late, and from 1906 until 1980 Vanuatu existed as the New Hebrides, jointly governed by Britain and France in one of the world’s few true condominium systems. This meant two parallel administrations operating side by side, with separate courts, police forces, schools, and even prisons. The legacy of this unusual arrangement is still visible, particularly in Port Vila, where English and French influences coexist in language, education, and architecture.

During World War II, Vanuatu played a strategic role as an Allied base in the Pacific. Large numbers of American troops were stationed on Efate, building airstrips, roads, and infrastructure that permanently altered the island. Wrecks, equipment, and wartime sites can still be found around Port Vila and its surrounds.

Vanuatu gained independence in 1980, balancing modern statehood with strong customary governance. Kastom remains central to land ownership, dispute resolution, and daily life, giving the country a very different feel from more commercialised Pacific destinations.

YPT has been running Vanuatu tours since 2017, with our itineraries centred on Port Vila and the island of Efate. From the capital, we explore a mix of urban, village, and natural sites, including local markets, historical locations, cultural villages, and everyday city life. Outside Port Vila, we visit waterfalls, blue holes, and rainforest areas, as well as small communities where kastom practices remain active.

A key part of our Vanuatu tours is engaging with local food and drink, particularly Vanuatu’s famously strong kava, which is consumed in nakamals rather than tourist bars. Our itineraries are designed to show the full range of what Vanuatu offers in a short space of time, from colonial history and wartime legacy to village life and raw natural landscapes.

Group Tours To Vanuatu

Vanuatu is included as a stop on our Least Visited Countries Tour, which visits some of the world’s least touristic countries in just under a month. This tour includes Palau, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Kiribati, Fiji, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

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Independent Tours
To Vanuatu

YPT can arrange an independent Vanuatu tours to suit your preferences, time frame, budget and locations. You can choose from any of our bespoke Vanuatu tours or inquire about specific itineraries: whether you want to relax and unwind in Vanuatu island hop, snorkel, we can customise an independent tour to what you are looking for.

Example Vanuatu Tour Itinerary

Day 1 –Port Villa – Blue Lagoon – Port Vila

  • Arrive in Port Vila at your convenience.
  • Dinner with your local guides at the legendary L’Houstalet French restaurant, famous for its wild pigeon, coconut crab, and flying fox. Over dinner, you will discuss life in Vanuatu and what to expect from the upcoming days of touring.

Day 2 – Port Villa

  • After breakfast, head out with your guide to see Port Vila city highlights, including the Parliament, Chief’s Nakamal, Erakor Landing, Mahitahi handicrafts market, Independence Park, and the WWII memorial and lookout. You will also learn about Vanuatu’s unusual colonial history: France and the UK both claimed parts of the archipelago and eventually agreed to manage it through an Anglo-French condominium.
  • Lunch at the Port Vila waterfront, followed by a walking tour of the area, taking in the harbor, markets, and the everyday pulse of the capital.
  • Finally, finish your city tour at an authentic Vanuatu Kava Bar where your guides will give you a proper demonstration on how to drink Kava, known for its sedative qualities, replete with pallet-cleansing snacks called “washemout.”
  • Head back to your hotel to refresh before indulging in dinner at the exquisite Blue Stone Grill. Renowned for its stunning views and mouthwatering surf and turf delicacies served on sizzling hot stones, this dining experience promises to be unforgettable.
  • Overnight in Port Vila.

Day 3 – Port Villa

  • After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a day tour of Port Vila’s cultural and natural sites, starting with a window into Vanuatu’s traditional history at Larofa Cultural Village with demonstrations on hunting and fishing, fire walking, a welcoming song, and a lively music sing-along.
  • Next you’ll enjoy the serene beauty of Blue Lagoon, a tranquil oasis filled with shady spots and stunning scenery. Its cool waters are refreshing on a hot, humid day, and there are plenty of shaded areas to relax and enjoy a lunch of island cuisine provided by our local guide.
  • Keep your swimmers on because after lunch you’ll take the short drive to Avi Bay Turtle Sanctuary, a locally run conservation project dedicated to protecting Vanuatu’s endangered sea turtles. The sanctuary rescues injured turtles and safeguards nesting sites along the coast, playing an important role in preserving marine life around Efate. Here, you’ll learn about the threats turtles face, the rehabilitation process, and how local communities are involved in long term conservation efforts.
  • Sunset dinner and drinks at Banana Bay Beach Club.
  • Overnight in Port Vila.

Day 4 – Port Vila

  • Breakfast at your hotel.
  • Time permitting, a final morning in Port Vila to do some last minute souvenir shopping at the local crafts market or the souvenir shops downtown before transferring to the airport to catch your outbound flight.
  • Airport transfers are available

Bespoke Tours to Vanuatu

As part of our Vanuatu tours packages in the Pacific, we can offer bespoke and independent tours to Vanuatu. These can be done as full Vanuatu tours or be combined with other countries.

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch.

Mount Yasur Tour

Vanuatu is home to an active Volcano, Mount Yasur. Mount Yasur has attracted many interesting people through its glow over history – including Captain Cook and followers of the John Frum cargo cult. Despite being an active volcano, when the weather permits you can climb with a guide to the top of the volcano and peer below to the red glowing lava. The height of the volcano offers a spectacular view of the island and a chance to ‘volcano board’ – a unique sport experience!

SS President Coolidge Diving Tour

While the beaches are a highlight of Vanuatu, they’re not the only things that the tiny islands have to offer. You can dive down to investigate an infamous ship wreck – SS President Coolidge – on Espiritu Santo that was sunk in October 1942. You can explore guns, cannons, Jeeps, helmets, trucks and personal supplies, chandeliers, and a mosaic tile fountain. You can also see a plethora of sea life including reef fish, barracuda, lionfish, sea turtles and eels!

Mystery Island Tour

Mystery Island is one of the most popular island destinations in Vanuatu. The island boasts white sand beaches, tropical rainforest and transparent sea. You’re able to snorkel amongst the coral reefs, enjoy a beachside massage and you can take a short ferry to Keamu Cultural Village where you will be greeted by local warriors.

Port Vila Food and Drinks Tour

Enjoy all the unique culinary specialties Vanuatu has to offer. From Port Villa gin distilleries, coffee factories, a local chocolate factory and local markets – Vanuatu has everything you could need! Try some kava at Vanuatu’s best beach restaurants, Simboro and local fresh seafood!

Iririki Island Sunset Boat Cruise Tour

Enjoy a sunset on the ocean while travelling around Iririki island from Port Vila, with a glass of champagne in hand (or two), and great company! Ask any questions to the local guides on board

Filming in Vanuatu

With its scenic beaches and growing environmental importance, Vanuatu is a great location for filmmakers and journalists to visit. Through our media arm Pioneer Media, we can plan for productions, journalists, or others to film within Vanuatu from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country as well as the correct visas for journalists wishing to do projects within Vanuatu

Frequently ask Questions about travel to Vanuatu

  • Do I need a visa to travel to Vanuatu?

    Many nationalities can enter Vanuatu visa free for a period of 30 to 120 days. To check whether your nationality is visa exempt, click here.

  • What is the best time to visit Vanuatu?

    The best time to visit Vanuatu is from April to September which is the dry season when the temperature is low to mid-twenties. December to April are the summer months and also bring the most rainfall.

  • Is Vanuatu safe for tourists?

    The crime rate in Vanuatu is very low. As anywhere, it is important to protect your personal items and avoid walking by yourself at night to avoid petty theft, however even this is rare.

    Vanuatu however does have several active volcanos and can be prone to cyclones. Please monitor advice from official channels regarding weather events.

  • What currency is used in Vanuatu?

    Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu vatu (VUV). One USD is approximately 120 vatu. You can check the vatu against your own currency here.

  • Are there any health precautions I should take before travelling to Vanuatu?

    Viruses like dengue and zika can be transmitted through insects. It is important to carry insect repellent, keep up to date with your regular vaccinations, and consult with your doctor before travelling to Vanuatu.

  • What is the local etiquette and customs in Vanuatu?

    Quite like in other Pacific Island nations, being polite and kind is very well received. People often operate on what is known as ‘island time’ which may mean services are delivered more relaxed and completion of tasks may not be to timely Western standard. Please understand this cultural difference.

  • Is it possible to use a SIM card for mobile communication in Vanuatu?

    You can buy a sim card at the airport or at shopping centers. There are two internet providers in Vanuatu: Digicel and Vodafone. Both have good coverage on the main island but there may be patches where reception is unavailable. Hotels will also offer Wi-Fi to help you connect.

    You could also use an e-SIM service such as Airalo for hassle-free internet connection without removing your sim.

  • Why travel to Vanuatu with Young Pioneer Tours?

    YPT not only knows some very cool places but also how to save money and make the most of a trip. While Vanuatu is a popular tourist destination, we can take you beyond the trendy places and take you off the beaten track with affordable and customizable options.

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