A little more
Vanuatu.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Vanuatu: what to know before you go

Vanuatu is a Y-shaped chain of more than 80 islands in the South Pacific, with an active volcano you can walk to the rim of, a famous wartime wreck dive, blue freshwater pools and strong living traditions in its villages. Outside Port Vila and Luganville, infrastructure is simple, which suits travellers who are happy with basic bungalows and island time.

Where to go

• Mount Yasur, Tanna. One of the world's most accessible active volcanoes.
• SS President Coolidge. A former luxury liner turned troopship that sank off Espiritu Santo in 1942, now one of the world's best-known wreck dives.
• Espiritu Santo's blue holes and Champagne Beach. Santo, the largest island, has clear freshwater springs such as Matevulu and Riri for swimming, and Champagne Beach, a curve of white sand and calm water on the east coast.
• Millennium Cave. A full-day guided adventure on Santo through rainforest, down into a large cave with a river and bats, then floating down a gorge.

Best time to visit

The cooler, drier season from roughly May to October is the most comfortable time to visit, with lower humidity and calmer seas. The land-diving season on Pentecost runs from about April to June.

Staying online in Vanuatu

Mobile coverage is reasonable in Port Vila, Luganville and around Efate, with 4G in the main towns. On Tanna, Pentecost, Ambrym and other outer islands, coverage is limited to certain villages or absent, and speeds are often slow. Many island bungalows have no Wi-Fi, or only satellite connections. Power can be limited to generators or solar in rural areas. Download offline maps before leaving Port Vila. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.