An Insider’s Guide to Vanuatu

The Lelepa Island tour was hands-down incredible, and the reefs we snorkelled were the best we’ve ever seen. The tour included a visit to a local village and a nature walk – experiences to remember. Another favourite thing for our team to do was swim in the glorious Blue Holes on Santo Island. Flaunting charming crystal-blue water encircled by lush forest, these holes are a must-visit for anyone travelling to Vanuatu. For the adventurous, there is a wooden waterslide, rope, and swing platform! Overall, the adventure activities in Vanuatu were wonderful, from ziplining and hiking to climbing a volcano. So much fun coupled with epic views!

We were all surprised by how many different types of activities were on offer. With so many water sports, forest adventures (including ziplining across the canopy or zooming in a buggy below it) and local village tours, Vanuatu caters to any kind of traveller. We were also surprised by how happy the people were! Vanuatu is the happiest and most friendly place we’ve ever been to. No matter what we were doing, the locals were always willing to help in any way they could. It seemed their main aim was to make us smile! What also surprised us about Vanuatu was its versatility as a destination. Some islands had beautiful pristine beaches while others had rugged mountainous coastlines or thick jungles.

The outer islands will beckon us to return to Vanuatu. Port Vila is remarkable, however, if you want to experience Vanuatu in its entirety, you must visit the islands. We had the time of our lives in Tanna – the volcano was out-of-this-world but there was so much more to it. The local villages and customs were fantastic, and the food was delicious too. When (not if) we return, we will be called to explore more of Tanna, Santo, and the other islands. Vanuatu’s beauty is endless.