Volcanoes, world-class wreck diving and a French-Melanesian mix about three hours from Brisbane.
Before you go
When to go
April to October is drier and cooler. Cyclone season runs November to April.
- Apr–Oct best
- Cyclone season Nov–Apr
- Warm year-round
- Shoulder-season value
How long you need
Seven to ten days, usually Efate plus Tanna or Espiritu Santo.
- 7–10 days
- Efate as the base
- Tanna for the volcano
- Santo for diving
Getting around
Domestic flights between islands; roads on Efate are sealed around the ring.
- Domestic flights
- Efate ring road
- Small aircraft, luggage limits
- Book internal flights early
What to do
Mount Yasur on Tanna is one of the most accessible active volcanoes on earth, and the SS President Coolidge is a famous wreck dive.
- Mount Yasur at dusk
- SS President Coolidge
- Blue holes on Santo
- Village visits
Highlights
Mount Yasur
One of the most accessible active volcanoes on earth. You stand on the rim at dusk and watch it throw lava.
- On Tanna island
- Short flight from Efate
- Go at dusk
- Access depends on alert level
Diving Santo
The SS President Coolidge is a troopship wreck divable from the shore, and Million Dollar Point is where equipment was dumped in 1945.
- Coolidge from the beach
- Advanced dive, deep
- Blue holes inland
- Champagne Beach
Efate and village life
Port Vila's market, the cascades at Mele, and villages where custom law still governs daily life.
- Mele Cascades
- Port Vila market
- Village visits by arrangement
- Kava in the nakamal
Planning notes
Vanuatu is about three hours from Brisbane and feels considerably further — less developed than Fiji, with custom culture still central and a French-Melanesian mix in Port Vila. It suits travellers who want the volcano and the diving rather than a resort. Cyclone season runs November to April, and the country's exposure to them is real, so check the current situation and insure properly.
Where this leads
Blog attracts, things to do informs, tours convert — in that order.
- Journal in Vanuatu
- Things to do in Vanuatu
- Tours in Vanuatu
- Talk to a Cooee travel specialist