Vanuatu Itinerary for 8 Days of Epic Adventure

This Vanuatu itinerary takes you from Port Vila’s blue lagoons and restaurants to Tanna Island’s wild landscapes, protected reefs, hidden blue caves, and the unforgettable volcano, Mount Yasur.

Vanuatu is a South Pacific archipelago with over 80 islands, with about 60 inhabited. However, the larger islands are Tanna, Efate (where you’ll land at VLI), Malekula, and Espiritu Santo.

Vanuatu gained independence from joint British-French rule in 1980. The islands have a mix of Melanesian culture, active volcanoes, and rich natural beauty. The island nation is perfect for those wanting to get off the beaten path and explore something unusual.

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How to Get to Vanuatu

To get to Vanuatu, you’ll most likely fly through Fiji, Brisbane, or Auckland, depending on your airline. If you’re coming from outside the Pacific, expect at least one layover. Flights into Vanuatu arrive at Port Vila (VLI) on Efate Island, the country’s main international gateway.

How Long to Spend in Vanuatu & Getting Around

We spent 8 days split between Efate and Tanna islands. If you want to add a third island like Espiritu Santo, plan for at least 3 or 4 extra days. Domestic flights can feel like a game of Tetris that not even AI chatbots can solve. There are limited routes means that you need buffer time because certain islands are only flown to on certain days.

Air Vanuatu Flight Tickets

The availability and schedule of flight tickets for Vanuatu’s islands will determine your itinerary. You can’t book Air Vanuatu domestic tickets online.

Check the Air Vanuatu schedule here. And note that it has a disclaimer that the schedule can change at any time.

To book, I suggest emailing (or calling) Air Vanuatu after checking the flight schedule and mapping out your rough itinerary. They’ll reply with available flight options and a payment link to confirm. You can email back and forth; they were generally responsive and helpful.

For last-minute tickets, calling is best (though it was very expensive to call with my Google Voice number).

If your preferred flight is full, you can ask to be added to the waitlist. We managed to get off the waitlist and even transfer our original ticket credit to the flight we actually wanted.

Story time

We had planned to visit three islands on our Vanuatu Itinerary, but did not have the flight path available to us because typically you need to fly back to Port Vila in order to transfer…And it becomes a logistical drama that even ChatGPT couldn’t solve (I tried). I had unfortunately read that you should book tickets only when you arrive on the island in case flights are cancelled, but this was false info! The flights we wanted were booked up a week before we landed. (We found out because our hotel in Tanna asked for our flight info for a pickup, and I said we were waiting to buy it. The hotel said that was a horrible idea and I should try to get a ticket asap).

Transportation in Port Vila

Getting around Port Vila is super easy. The local buses have a blue “B” on their license plates, and rides cost around 150 Vatu per person for most trips in and around town, including to the airport.

Practical Tips for Visiting Vanuatu

US and EU passports can get a visa on arrival.
We took out a total of 120,000 Vatu (around $900 USD) for 2 people in our 8 days to cover some hotels, food, and transportation. We did three different ATM transactions over the 8 days. We did a bit of grocery shopping and souvenirs so you may need even less.
Most things are closed on Sundays, including the markets.
On Tanna, the Blue Cave is closed on Saturdays, so book your visit around this.
Expect to spend around $10–20 USD per meal per person at restaurants.
We brought our own snorkel to Vanuatu, but it wasn’t necessary as most places have snorkel sets available. Leave the flippers at home.
We used the app Mapy.com to navigate trails on Tanna, and I recommend downloading it. Google Maps was not reliable, and we added several of the routes we used to the app so others can take the paths. However, small landslides and river changes can impact a path (not to mention hurricanes), so the route may need to be adjusted a little. There were usually people around to ask which way to go.

Vanuatu Itinerary: 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive and Explore Port Vila Town

Stay 2 nights in Port Vila

Accommodation options: We stayed at Fatumaru Lodge and loved our balcony room overlooking the water. This was a more pricey option because we didn’t fully understand the city’s hot spots. If we were to visit again, I’d stay at Travellers Motel Vanuatu, which we walked by only on our last day. It’s in a good central location, and everything is easy to walk or bus to.

Afternoon

Arrive at the airport in Port Vila. It was more bustling than I expected because the two different flights had arrived at the same time, and the line moved slowly. However, we easily went through immigration.

You can take a taxi to your accommodation or walk out of the airport and catch a local bus headed into town. These buses are marked by a “b “on the license plate. Just stick your hand out, and before you enter the bus, tell it where you want to go, and they’ll confirm if they can drop you there or not.

Check in and then drop your luggage. Fatumaru Lodge was beautiful!

If you have time, take a bus or walk to the Port Vila Cultural Centre and Museum, which closes daily at 4:30 p.m.. Entrance is 1,000 Vatu per person, or 1,500 Vatu if you’d like a full guided tour. We opted for the regular entry, as the exhibits had plenty of information on the plaques. The museum was really interesting, full of masks, artifacts, and displays with good explanations.

The highlight of the museum is the sand art demonstration, a cultural practice from one of Vanuatu’s islands, Ambrym. The tradition is passed down from father to son, and a story is told while creating symbols in the black sand. Our demonstration lasted about 2.5 minutes and our guide told a story while drawing a turtle in the sand.

Dinner

For local food vibes, check out Dolphine’s Shop. The owner is sooo sweet and we loved the (very filling!) meal. It’s a perfect way to start your Vanuatu Itinerary.

Note: I don’t think we did our food research well enough on this Vanuatu Itinerary and instead had Indian food and Chinese food the first two nights. Only when we were walking around and stumbled upon local spots did they show up on our Google Maps list. The local cuisine is amazing, and we missed out by not going to some of these places for dinner. However, if you’re in the mood for something different, then both Taste of India and Delic (Chinese) were very good.

Day 2: Blue Holes and Waterfalls in Eton

Morning

Have breakfast at Coffee Tree, a super cute spot with great coffee and fresh juices. I loved the pancakes! We spent about $20 USD total for coffee, juices, and breakfast mains.

Before heading out, stop by Au Bon Marché Nambatu, the biggest grocery store in town, to pick up some snacks for Day 2 of this Vanuatu Itinerary. They have a good mix of local and imported items.

Then, walk over to Ebikes Vanuatu to rent a scooter for about $90 for 24 hours. You can book and pay online in advance, but when we visited, there were plenty available for walk-ins. Aim to pick it up by 9 AM.

Now your day trip begins! I recommend going to the furthest stop first and making your way back toward Port Vila. It was raining when we did this bike trip, but we still had some sunny breaks and went ahead. Totally worth it.

Your first stop is Eton River, where you’ll find a hidden cascade right off the road. The entrance fee is usually 1,000 Vatu if someone’s there, but no one was around when we visited. This spot isn’t marked on maps; it was actually recommended by the owner of Ebikes Vanuatu.

Wear water shoes so you can explore the cascades properly; the whole area is gorgeous.

Next, visit the Blue Lagoon, one of Vanuatu’s most famous swimming spots. Entrance ranges from 500–1,000 Vatu, depending on which entrance you use. The third one (when coming from Port Vila) is the cheapest at 500 Vatu. The entrances aren’t well marked on Google Maps, but you’ll spot three separate ones as you drive.

We spent about two hours here, swimming in the unbelievably blue water.

There are a few rope swings if you’re feeling brave! When we arrived, no one was guarding the entrance, so we just paid the fee on our way out.

Afternoon

Then, make a stop at Eton Beach nearby. There’s usually a small entrance fee, but since it was raining when we passed by, we decided to skip it.

For lunch, you can stop at Banana Bay Beach Club (entrance is 1,000 Vatu), though we skipped it since we’d already snacked on chips and cookies at the Blue Lagoon.

Head to 83 Distillery, the island’s rum factory. A tasting costs 2,500 Vatu, and I recommend sharing one if you’re two people, since one of you will be driving the scooter, and the tasting includes quite a few drinks.

The distillery shop is also a great place to pick up local coffee, chocolate, and mini bottles of rum, plus T-shirts featuring sand art designs from the islands.

If you have time, the Aelan Chocolate Factory is just around the corner from the distillery, and you can take a tour. They also have a cafe on site with great-looking desserts.

Evening

Get dinner at Ronnies Kava Bar, a very cool local spot!

On your way back to Fatumaru Lodge, grab a drink at the Banyan Beach Bar to end the evening by the water.

Day 3: Travel to Tanna

Stay at Rockwater Resort 2 nights

Accommodation near Lenakel

Overall, you’ll spend 4 nights on Tanna during this Vanuatu Itinerary. Although the island is small enough to do all the activities from a single accommodation, it’s more interesting to spend two nights by the coast and then two nights inland by the volcano.

There are three main accommodation options on Tanna, near Lenakel.

We stayed at Rockwater Resort, which is definitely a splurge — rooms are around $300 per night, and the included breakfast is pretty basic (just bread and fruit). If you want eggs or anything more filling, it’s an extra 2,000 Vatu. That said, the gardens are beautiful, and the snorkeling access through the cave is fantastic. It’s one of the few, if not the only, places on the island with protected coral, as the owners actively prevent fishing in the area. This means healthier reefs and tons of fish right off the shore — one of the main reasons we chose to stay here.

The views are incredible, and there’s reliable Wi-Fi, which was great for getting some work done. I’d recommend Rockwater if you’re looking for a unique splurge stay, though there’s a two-night minimum, so plan accordingly as you follow this Vanuatu itinerary.

White Grass Resort is better suited for families, with a friendlier beach, organized activities, and a larger property to explore. The food menu looked great when we came for drinks (walking from Rockwater).

Alternatively, you could stay in Lenakel town, which, in hindsight, we might have preferred since there was a festival happening and the town felt lively. There aren’t that many reviews of the hotel/hostel/guesthouses in Lenakel, so we were a little wary about how to book, and the town didn’t look too exciting, but that’s not true at all. I really enjoyed the small shops, market, and community vibe. Try to contact owners via WhatsApp. I saw Hellens Guest House when we were walking around, though we didn’t stay here ourselves.

Morning

Check out and then have breakfast at Numbawon Cafe along the waterfront at 8 am.

Afterward, browse a few stalls at the Handicraft Market next door. By 9 am, some vendors will have started setting up. It’s not the full market yet, but enough to get a small taste if you haven’t done any local shopping in Vanuatu. I got some tiny paintings made by a local artist for 3,500 Vatu each.

Take a bus to the airport to catch your flight from Efate to Tanna. We took the 11 am flight. You’ll need to pay a 200 Vatu per person departure tax in cash and have your ticket stamped before boarding.

Afternoon

Arrive and transfer to Rockwater Resort. The airport experience on Tanna is a bit funny as luggage arrives in batches through a small window from the tarmac.

If you’re staying at Rockwater, your stay includes a free airport transfer, which is just a 7-minute drive away. We were picked up by Rockwater, though it took a minute to spot our driver since he didn’t have a sign, so just ask around if you’re unsure where the driver is. I didn’t notice any taxis waiting at the airport, so I recommend organizing transportation with your accommodation in advance.

Rockwater is perched on a rock overlooking the ocean. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Once we checked in, we decided to go snorkeling. There are two main snorkeling areas at the resort, and the best spot depends on the tide. At low tide, it’s possible to snorkel from the cave entrance. It was a little intimidating at first, but super cool. I only managed about 15 minutes here because the shallow water put me close to the corals, and I legit started to freak out. But there’s a deeper section through the cave where you can hang out safely if you want.

The second snorkel spot is by the beach (which you’ll visit tomorrow).

At the resort, the food is simple, and nothing is really worth noting. We had light lunches with appetizers. There are a few menu options, and they change daily. It would have been nice to try more local dishes, but there aren’t other restaurants nearby, so we plan to eat at the hotel.

Evening

Enjoy sunset and dinner at Rockwater with a bonfire!

We shared a soup, main, and dessert for dinner.

Day 4: Blue Cave and Snorkeling

Morning

Have breakfast, then spend the morning snorkeling at the beach. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Rockwater Resort. I loved snorkeling from the beach (rather than the cave yesterday) because there was some distance between the coral and me.

We explored along the left-hand side of the beach and saw a variety of fish and some pretty corals. While they weren’t as colorful as in some other parts of the world, there were lots of fun little fish, and we even spotted a water snake.

While relaxing on the beach, we also noticed baby dolphins out in the distance. At first, I thought they were large fish, but we later learned from the resort that smaller dolphins are common in this area.

Next, go on the Blue Cave tour, a highlight of this Vanuatu Itinerary. Make sure to organize it the day before, as the resort needs about 24 hours’ notice. One great thing about booking through Rockwater is that they pay the guides directly, so there are no extra fees. Our tour was 7,500 Vatu per person, whereas online I saw the same tour offered for 9,000 Vatu through other companies.

The Blue Cave is a highlight on Tanna during this Vanuatu Itinerary. We met at the beach at 11:45 am, then took a 20-minute boat ride to the Blue Cave. You don’t need much: just a GoPro, water shoes, and a towel. We also brought our snorkel set, which was fun because there were a few fish to see, but it’s optional.

At the cave, the sunlight streams in perfectly, illuminating the bright blue water.

It is stunning. After about 40 minutes, our group decided to head back. We climbed back into the boat via a ladder and returned to the resort.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, walk 40 minutes to White Grass Resort for a beer and to explore. Along the way, you’ll pass two smaller blue caves. There’s an entrance fee if you want to swim, but we skipped it.

The walk between the two resorts is very peaceful through a small village.

White Grass Resort is a good choice for families or anyone wanting more space, as the beach is more developed than at Rockwater. The resort also offers food and drinks, and for those interested, there are diving options available.

If you’re going for sunset drinks, bring a flashlight for the walk back, as it’s pitch black.

Evening

We walked back in the dark with our flashlight, then had dinner at 7pm and went to bed.

Day 5: Tanna Market + Volcano Adventure

Stay 2 nights at Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows

Read my review of Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows.

A quick review of Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows on Tanna Island

Morning

Today, plan to have just the complimentary breakfast at Rockwater, then request a transfer into Lenakel (3,000 Vatu) by the market.

In town, there are a few small restaurants for a nice lunch, like Dino’s Cafe. The ginger tea was great but the coffee was very watery.

Stop at the grocery store to buy bottled water (also available at the Bungalows) and chips for snacks. Also walk into the small shops along the main road; I had an excellent tuna dough thingy that was delish!

Check out the Will Smith Nakamal (kava bar) for an afternoon sip of kava. The bar was named after the actor from the Disney+ series, Welcome to Earth.

We happened to be in Lenakel during an arts festival, which made the town extra lively. The markets were thriving, with huge food stalls set up, and people from neighboring islands came to celebrate. There were two main markets, and even a soccer stadium hosting a game.

We got to witness a fruit and vegetable offering from a village chief and saw traditional dances just by chance. This festival was a rare occurrence (the first in a few years, we learned), so it really made our visit special. On a normal day, the town might not be this lively, but we absolutely loved the experience.

Stop at the Tanna Craft Centre for local handicrafts and cool murals.

There is a second market by a huge tree that’s beautiful. I got some fried donut sticks.

Afternoon

Organize your transfer to Volcano Island Paradise Bungalow for 1:30 pm. Morris, the owner, is very communicative, and we were picked up at Dino’s Cafe with another guest. This accommodation was a highlight of our Vanuatu Itinerary.

We sat in the back of a pickup truck that made a few stops at veggie stalls along the way. It felt like a truly local experience!

Our original plan was to go to the bungalows first, drop off our bags, and then walk to Mount Yasur, one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world. One of the advantages of staying at Volcano Island Paradise Bungalows is that it’s close enough to walk to the volcano (40-minute walk).

However, Morris told us it was a clear day with good visibility, so we decided to head straight to the park entrance instead of checking in first. This ended up working out perfectly. Read the blog for how to access Mount Yasur. Find out all you need to know about visiting Mount Yasur in my blog post.

Mount Yasur on Tanna Island (how to visit this volcano in Vanuatu)

Evening

If you’re staying at Volcano Jungle Paradise Bungalows like we did, the owner’s sister met us at the entrance and walked us back. Everything looked totally different at night! I don’t recommend walking alone, as there are small streams and logs that you’ll need to cross to get between Mount Yasur and the bungalow.

It took us about 45 minutes to walk back, mostly because we were taking it slow and were unfamiliar with the route. If you prefer not to walk, you can arrange a pickup for 1,000 Vatu.

Once we arrived at the bungalows, Susie, Morris’s wife, served us dinner. Meals cost just 1,000 Vatu each. We had rice with soy sauce and vegetables; sausage was also available, but we opted out.

There is limited electricity at the Bungalows, so you’ll need a headlamp or your phone’s light to move around. We were given a light for our cabin, but it didn’t work.

Day 6: Hiking to Port Resolution + White Sand Beaches

Morning

Today on this Vanuatu Itinerary, you’ll be hiking to Port Resolution, about 12 km away from the bungalows. “Hiking” is a little bit of a stretch. The route was recently paved between the Mount Yasur Park entrance and Port Resolution.

We left the bungalows at 8:30 am, and it took us about 2.5 hours of walking to reach Port Resolution. Eventually the paved road turns into a dirt road by the beaches.

We were planning to walk and did so; however, there were many cars that stopped along the way to ask if we wanted a ride.

At Port Resolution, you’ll find two stunning beaches: White Sands Lagoon Beach and a black sand beach nearby.

While on our walk, we found a fresh coconut and asked a guy walking past with a machete to open it for us!

Plan to explore once you get to the lagoon.

The lagoon beach has an amazing mountain backdrop (though you can’t actually see the volcano from there). The sand had a weird, mushy texture.

Afternoon

Once you’ve enjoyed some time at the beach, walk up to the Port Resolution Yacht Club, which was unfortunately damaged in a recent cyclone.

From there, follow the route on Mapy.com to reach White Sands Beach. If Susan and Kali are around at Sea Breeze Bungalows, you can have lunch at their restaurant. We brought some snacks as backup, but luckily, they were open and served us eggs and vegetables for 1,000 Vatu each.

There’s also snorkeling at White Sands Beach, though at low tide it’s quite shallow. You’ll find some small fish and corals off to the right side of the beach. We brought our snorkel gear but didn’t end up using it.

It was good enough for us to walk up and down the beach.

Around 2:30 pm, we started hiking back to the bungalows. Ironically, we both developed blisters and were hoping for a ride. I tried to hitchhike unsuccessfully, but just as we were nearing the volcano entrance, a friendly couple we’d met at lunch offered us a lift for the last kilometer of the paved road. It was only a short ride, but very appreciated!

Evening

Have dinner prepared by Susie and enjoy sunset.

Day 7: Ash Plains and Return to Port Vila

Stay 1 night in Port Vila at Travellers Motel Vanuatu.

You should arrive in Port Vila one day in advance of your flight out of the country to account for any flight delays or drama.

Morning

Wake up around 4:30 am and hike to Mount Yasur ash plains to catch the sunrise on this morning of your Vanuatu Itinerary. This is soooo worth the early morning! Although the beginning of the hike was in the dark (and we had some issues finding the trail due to a landslide), it was totally doable. You don’t need a guide to visit the ash plains.

We spent some time wandering the ash plains and even climbed the volcano (a tiny bit!)

Walk back to the bungalows and have breakfast with the last views of Mount Yasur.

When planning your departure, allow about an hour for your driver to arrive, as timing can be unreliable. You only need to reach the airport about an hour before your flight — it’s tiny! Don’t forget to pay the 200 Vatu per person departure tax before boarding.

Afternoon

Arrive in Port Vila and head straight to Tanna Coffee, which is open until 3 p.m. on Sundays (call ahead to check if they are open). You can easily get there by bus directly from the airport. We just started walking out, and an empty bus stopped for us. The driver was super friendly and even offered to wait and take us back, though we opted to grab another bus later.

Tanna Coffee was lovely! The iced and American lattes were delicious, and the food was great. We ordered two mains and shared a dessert. In the gift shop, we bought a bag of coffee (it’s labeled medium but tastes more like a dark roast) and a painted coffee sack with the Tanna Coffee logo that’s now hanging on our balcony.

Afterward, head back into Port Vila and check into your accommodation.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Port Vila Market, which reopened (after hurricane damage) on the day that we left Port Vila in July 2025! And enjoy sunset.

Evening

For your last evening on this Vanuatu Itinerary, stop by the Kava Lounge, but first check if the shipping container spot across the street (not on Google Maps) is open. It serves delicious local homemade food, like wrapped cassava leaves — just 100 Vatu for four! You can also try a cup of kava for only 5 Vatu. In small amounts, kava gives a mild tingling sensation on your tongue.

Day 8: Depart for Fiji

Morning

Have a relaxed morning and wander around town. Stop at Don Tailleur House of Fashion for fabrics and some funky island shirts.

There was a market outside the national museum that we wandered by.

We stopped by Vanuatu Bijouterie because I was looking for some unique, mask-inspired jewelry, and it was amazing! They have a great range of prices, from small silver charms to black pearls and shark-tooth pieces.