Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a South Pacific island country known for active volcanoes, reef and wreck diving, and village customs across 81 to 83 main islands.
Vanuatu is an island country in Melanesia, in the South Pacific, made up of volcanic islands. Port Vila on Efate is the capital and the main gateway, and the country's main islands stretch about 1,300 km in a Y shape. The archipelago lies about 1,750 km east of northern Australia and west of Fiji. Most visitors arrive by air or cruise ship.
People go for the volcanoes, the diving and the village customs. Mount Yasur on Tanna is an active volcano and the most popular one to reach, with visitors coming in their thousands every year. Off Luganville on Espiritu Santo, the SS President Coolidge is one of the largest wrecks open to recreational divers. The cloud forest on Mount Tabwemasana, the country's highest point at 1,879 m, has many orchids and tree ferns. Travel between islands can take several days, so pick one or two islands for a trip. The drier, cooler months, from about June to November, are the best time to go.
Five things to know before Vanuatu
- Check if your passport is visa-exempt
Visa rules depend on your passport, and the immigration department runs an eVisa portal. Canada's advice says Canadians need no visa for up to 30 days. Carry an onward ticket, funds and a passport valid 6 months. Visas and entry
- Check the volcano alert level before Tanna
Visits to the crater rim of Mount Yasur depend on the current alert level set by the national geohazards observatory. At higher levels the rim can close.
- Book domestic flights with your island stays
Tanna and Espiritu Santo are reached by domestic flights from Port Vila. Seats are few and schedules change, so leave a buffer before your international departure.
- Ask before swimming at village beaches
Most land and many beaches are custom land. Ask permission and pay any small fee, and follow the rules at kastom villages about photos and dress.
- Plan for cyclone season
Tropical cyclones can strike from November to April. Choose flexible bookings in those months and follow local warnings if a storm forms.
Vanuatu travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-exempt passports, eVisas and onward tickets.
Read the guideTravel insuranceDiving, volcano trips and cyclone disruption.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, buses on Efate and boat transfers.
Read the guideMoneyVatu, ATMs in Port Vila and Luganville, cash elsewhere.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- VUV 4,000
- Food
- VUV 3,000
- Transport
- VUV 600
- Sights
- VUV 1,000
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- VUV 15,000
- Food
- VUV 7,000
- Transport
- VUV 2,500
- Sights
- VUV 2,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- VUV 30,000
- Food
- VUV 15,000
- Transport
- VUV 10,000
- Sights
- VUV 15,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hot, cyclone riskJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 254 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°WettestFebruaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 292 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Wet, cyclone riskMarchRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 327 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cyclone risk
- AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Showers easeAprilRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 268 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers ease
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°DrierMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, mildJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Dry, cool nightsJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool nights
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°DryAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Dry, warmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°WarmOctoberRain
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Wet season startsNovemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season starts
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Wet, humidDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 194 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
Average daily high and low in Port Vila, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Vanuatu
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 89%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 74%
Port Vila
07:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°22°74%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 74%.
- Wed29°23°99%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu30°23°63%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Fri30°23°45%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sat30°23°65%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sun30°23°45%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Mon30°23°60%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 04:17 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 119.2 VUV
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Vanuatu FAQ
Do I need a visa for Vanuatu?
It depends on your passport. Canadian passports can stay up to 30 days without a visa, and the Department of Immigration and Passport Services runs an eVisa portal for those who need one. Check your own passport on its site.
Can you visit Mount Yasur?
Yes, when the alert level allows. Tours from Tanna lodges drive to the base and walk up to the crater rim, usually at dusk.
Is the SS President Coolidge dive for beginners?
Parts of the wreck are shallow enough for newer divers with a guide, but most of the ship lies deeper and suits experienced divers.
When is the best time to visit Vanuatu?
May to September is drier and cooler, with less cyclone risk. The wet season from November to April is hot and humid.
How do I get between islands in Vanuatu?
By domestic flights from Port Vila to Tanna, Espiritu Santo and other islands, or by slower cargo ships for the adventurous.