Vanuatu
Usage
A republic of more than 80 islands in the South Pacific, with its capital at Port Vila on Efate. The official languages are Bislama, English and French. Bislama does not re-spell place names, so signs read Port Vila, Tanna and so on. The country has six provinces, each name built from the first letters of its islands (for example MALAMPA = MALakula + AMbrym + PAama). No roads run between the islands, so travel between them is by plane or boat
Shefa Province
Usage
Its capital is Port Vila. The name comes from SHEpherds + EFAte. It covers Efate, Epi and the Shepherd Islands, and holds the international airport and the national government offices
Sanma Province
Usage
Its capital is Luganville. The name comes from SANto (Espiritu Santo) + MAlo. It contains the country's largest island, Santo, along with its second city and Santo-Pekoa International Airport
Malampa Province
Usage
Its capital is Lakatoro on Malakula. The name comes from MALakula + AMbrym + PAama, and the province also takes in part of southern Pentecost. It is known for the Ambrym volcanoes and Malakula's cultures; each island is reached by light aircraft or boat
Penama Province
Usage
Its capital is Saratamata on Ambae. The name comes from PEntecost + Ambae + MAewo. It is best known for the naghol land diving on Pentecost. All three islands are reachable only by air or boat
Tafea Province
Usage
Its capital is Isangel on Tanna. The name comes from Tanna + Aniwa + Futuna + Erromango + Aneityum. It is Vanuatu's southernmost province and holds Mount Yasur. Its islands are reached by air or boat
Torba Province
Usage
Its capital is Sola on Vanua Lava. The name comes from TORres + BAnks. It is Vanuatu's northernmost and least populated province, with few flights and few boats
Port Vila
Usage
Vanuatu's capital, a harbour town on the southwest coast of Efate and the capital of Shefa Province. The international airport, the wharf, government offices and the market are all here, and every domestic flight starts from here. The town centre was damaged in the December 2024 earthquake, so check locally which facilities are operating. In Bislama people often shorten it to just Vila
Luganville
Usage
Vanuatu's second town and the capital of Sanma Province, on the south coast of Espiritu Santo. Locals often just call it Santo. It was a huge US military base in the Second World War, and the dive sites left from that period are nearby. It has Santo-Pekoa International Airport and the wharf used by passenger-cargo ships
Lakatoro
Usage
Capital of Malampa Province, a town on the northeast coast of Malakula holding the provincial government, a bank and shops. The nearest airport is Norsup, a few kilometres north. Leaving the island means flying or taking a boat
Norsup
Usage
A settlement on the northeast coast of Malakula. It has the island's main airfield, Norsup Airport, which serves as the gateway to the provincial capital Lakatoro. It sits in coconut plantation country
Lenakel
Usage
The main settlement on Tanna, on the island's west coast, with a market, shops and a bank. It is reached by road from Whitegrass Airport. Mount Yasur is on the far side of the island, over unsealed roads usually driven in a four-wheel drive
Isangel
Usage
Capital of Tafea Province, an administrative town just inland from Lenakel on Tanna's west coast. It holds the provincial government and police, while the shops and market are on the Lenakel side
Saratamata
Usage
Capital of Penama Province, a small administrative town in eastern Ambae. The nearest airfield is Longana. Apart from scheduled boats and light aircraft there is no link to the outside
Sola
Usage
Capital of Torba Province, a small town on Vanua Lava in the Banks Islands, with an airfield and a jetty. It is the administrative and supply base for the Banks and Torres groups
Efate
Usage
The Shefa Province island that holds the capital, Port Vila. It has the international airport and a sealed road right around the island giving access to villages and beaches. It is Vanuatu's best-connected island, but no road links it to any other
Espiritu Santo
Usage
Vanuatu's largest island. Signs and tickets say Espiritu Santo, but in everyday speech it is just Santo. Luganville at the southern end is the gateway, and the blue holes, Champagne Beach, the wreck diving and the Millennium Cave are all here. It is about an hour by air from Port Vila
Malakula
Usage
Vanuatu's second-largest island and the heart of Malampa Province, also spelled Malekula. It is known for extreme linguistic diversity, with more than thirty languages, and for the Small Nambas and Big Nambas cultural areas. Access is via Norsup Airport in the north or Lamap in the south
Tanna
Usage
The Tafea Province island that draws the most visitors of any outer island, thanks to the active Mount Yasur. Light aircraft fly from Port Vila to Whitegrass Airport on the west coast. Most island roads are unsealed, and the run over to the volcano side is made in a four-wheel drive
Ambrym
Usage
The volcanic island of Malampa Province, sometimes called the black island for the vast ash plain in its centre holding the Marum and Benbow craters. It is known for its wood carving, the Rom dance and its reputation for sorcery. Access is via Craig Cove Airport in the west or Ulei in the east; volcanic activity can restrict access and flights
Pentecost
Usage
The long, narrow island of Penama Province. Villages in the south hold the naghol land dive around April to June each year, the practice that inspired bungee jumping. Access is via Lonorore Airport in the southwest or Sara in the north. Dates are set village by village, so check locally
Ambae
Usage
An island of Penama Province, also called Aoba. The Manaro (Lombenben) volcano and its crater lakes sit at its centre, and eruptions in 2017 and 2018 forced the whole island to evacuate for a time. Flights and stays depend on the state of the volcano, so check current information before travelling. Its airfields are Longana and Walaha
Erromango
Usage
An island of Tafea Province with a very small population, known for its sandalwood trade and missionary history. Airstrips at Dillon's Bay on the west coast and Ipota on the east coast see only a few flights. Access is by air or boat only
Epi
Usage
An island of Shefa Province, known for the dugongs and turtles seen at Lamen Bay. It has two airfields, Lamen Bay and Valesdir, and is a call for the ships running between Efate and Santo
Paama
Usage
The small Malampa island that supplies the PA in the province's name, lying west of Ambrym. It has no airfield; the crossing is by small boat from Craig Cove on Ambrym
Malo
Usage
The Sanma island that supplies the MA in the province's name, lying just south of Espiritu Santo. It is reached by small boat from jetties near Luganville. There is no airfield
Maewo
Usage
The long, narrow island of Penama Province, called the water island for its heavy rainfall, waterfalls and rivers. It took in evacuees during the 2018 Ambae eruption. Its airfield is Naone, and access is by air or boat only
Aneityum
Usage
Vanuatu's southernmost inhabited island, also spelled Anatom, with its main village at Anelghowhat. The airstrip is on Inyeug (Mystery Island) offshore, and you cross to the main island by boat. Flights are infrequent, so allow slack in your schedule
Futuna
Usage
A small volcanic island at the eastern edge of Tafea Province. It is a Polynesian outlier, unusual in Vanuatu, where a Polynesian language is spoken. It has a small airstrip with very few flights, and rough seas can stop boats landing. It is not the same Futuna as in Wallis and Futuna
Aniwa
Usage
A small, flat coral island northeast of Tanna, one of the As in Tafea. Like Futuna it is a Polynesian outlier. It has a small airstrip served by very few flights
Gaua
Usage
An island of the Banks group in Torba Province, also called Santa Maria. At its centre are Lake Letas, the country's largest lake, and the active Mount Garet, with the Siri waterfall draining the lake. It has an airfield with few flights, and volcanic activity can restrict access
Vanua Lava
Usage
The largest island in the Banks group and home to Sola, the capital of Torba Province. It is known for the steaming Mount Suretamatai and for Waterfall Bay, where a waterfall drops straight to the sea. The airfield and jetty are at Sola
Mota Lava
Usage
An island in the Banks group with an airstrip linking it to Sola and Santo. The neighbouring islet of Ra is reached by wading the shallows at low tide
Ureparapara
Usage
A volcanic island in the northern Banks group whose crater wall has collapsed on one side, letting the sea reach right inside the caldera as a bay. It has no airfield and is reachable only by boat
Tongoa
Usage
The largest of the Shepherd Islands in Shefa Province. Tradition holds that it was part of the island of Kuwae, split apart by a huge eruption in the fifteenth century. It has an airstrip served by light aircraft from Port Vila
Pele
Usage
A small island off the north coast of Efate. Along with Emao and Nguna it is a common day trip, reached by small boat from the Emua jetty on the ring road. It is known for village-run guesthouses and snorkelling
Lelepa
Usage
An island off the northwest coast of Efate and part of the World Heritage site Chief Roi Mata's Domain, holding Feles Cave where the chief is said to have died. Boats cross from the beach at Mangaliliu
Wala
Usage
A small island off the northeast coast of Malakula, well known as a cruise-ship call; on ship days the village sets up a market. Otherwise it is reached by boat from Malakula
Mystery Island
Usage
An uninhabited islet off Aneityum, locally called Inyeug. It is famous as a cruise-ship stop and its airstrip doubles as the air gateway for Aneityum. There is no accommodation, and it is quiet on days without a ship
Shepherd Islands
Usage
The scattered islands between Efate and Epi, including Tongoa, Emae, Tongariki and Buninga. They supply the SHE in Shefa and are served by light aircraft and coastal boats
Banks Islands
Usage
The island group in northern Vanuatu made up of Vanua Lava, Gaua, Mota Lava, Mota, Ureparapara, Merelava and others, supplying the BA in Torba. Sola is the gateway, and flights run only a few times a week
Torres Islands
Usage
Vanuatu's northernmost group, made up of Hiu, Toga, Loh, Tegua and others, supplying the TOR in Torba. The airstrip is on Linua next to Loh, with very few flights, and movement between the islands is by small boat
Bauerfield International Airport
Usage
Port Vila's airport (code VLI), a few kilometres from the town centre. It is Vanuatu's only jet-capable international gateway, and almost every flight to the outer islands leaves from here. The domestic terminal is a separate building from the international one. The name comes from the wartime US airfield on the site
Santo-Pekoa International Airport
Usage
Luganville's airport (code SON), the gateway to Espiritu Santo, just east of the town. It mainly handles domestic flights from Port Vila but sometimes takes regional international services, and it is the connecting point for the northern islands
Whitegrass Airport
Usage
Tanna's airport (code TAH), sometimes written White Grass. It lies on the west coast north of Lenakel and is where nearly everyone heading for Mount Yasur lands. It is about an hour from Port Vila by light aircraft
Norsup Airport
Usage
The airfield in northern Malakula (code NUS), the nearest to the provincial capital Lakatoro, served by flights from Port Vila and Luganville. It is the main way into the northern half of the island
Lamap Airport
Usage
The airfield at Lamap on the southeast tip of Malakula (code LPM), also listed as Malekoula Airport. It is the way into the southern half of the island and the Maskelyne Islands; the road up to Norsup in the north is rough and slow
Craig Cove Airport
Usage
The airfield in western Ambrym (code CCV), the entry point for the island's volcanoes and western villages, and the departure point for boats to Paama. Flights can be suspended depending on volcanic activity
Ulei Airport
Usage
The airfield in southeastern Ambrym (code ULB), serving the villages on the east side of the island. It is a separate strip from Craig Cove in the west, and which one you use depends on the village you are heading for
Longana Airport
Usage
The airfield in eastern Ambae (code LOD), the nearest to the provincial capital Saratamata, served from Luganville and Port Vila. Operations depend on the state of the island's volcano
Lonorore Airport
Usage
The airfield in southwestern Pentecost (code LNE), the gateway to the southern villages that hold the naghol land dive. Extra flights are sometimes added during the season
Sara Airport
Usage
The airfield in northern Pentecost (code SSR). The island is long and its roads are poor, so for villages in the north you fly here rather than to Lonorore
Sola Airport
Usage
The airfield at Sola on Vanua Lava (code SLH), the air gateway to Torba Province, served from Luganville. Other Banks islands are reached onward from here by light aircraft or boat
Torres Airport
Usage
The airfield for the Torres Islands (code TOH), on Linua next to Loh. After landing you cross to your island by small boat. It is one of the least frequently served routes in Vanuatu
Gaua Airport
Usage
The airfield on Gaua in the Banks Islands (code ZGU), the way in for travellers heading to Lake Letas and Mount Garet. Services can be restricted when volcanic activity increases
Lamen Bay Airport
Usage
The airfield at Lamen Bay in northern Epi (code LNB). The strip runs right beside the shore, and dugongs and turtles are seen in the bay. It is served from Port Vila
Anatom Airport
Usage
Vanuatu's southernmost airfield (code AUY), also called Aneityum Airport. Its grass strip is not on Aneityum itself but on Mystery Island (Inyeug) offshore, and you cross to the main island by boat after landing. Service is around once a week
Port Vila Wharf
Usage
Port Vila's port. Besides international cargo and cruise ships, it is where the passenger-cargo boats for Santo and the northern islands load. Inter-island boats rarely run to a printed timetable, so the reliable way to learn a sailing day is to ask at the wharf itself
Luganville Wharf
Usage
Luganville's wharf, the hub of shipping in northern Vanuatu, where the passenger-cargo boats for the islands of Malampa, Penama and Torba sail from. Cruise ships also berth here
Efate Ring Road
Usage
The sealed road that circles Efate. Starting from Port Vila it links Mele, Havannah Harbour, the Emua jetty and Eton beach, and it is the one road in Vanuatu on which you can drive right around an island, so it is the basic route for rental cars and tours. In town the shared minibuses carry a B on the plate, and you tell the driver where you are going
Santo East Coast Road
Usage
The sealed road running up the east coast from Luganville to Port Olry. The turn-offs for the blue holes, Champagne Beach and Lonnoc are all on it, making it the backbone of travel on Santo. Leave it and the roads turn to dirt
Mount Yasur
Usage
The active volcano in eastern Tanna. A road and a short walk bring you close to the crater rim, which makes it one of the most accessible active volcanoes anywhere, and dusk is the usual time to go. The entry fee is paid to the customary landowners. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department publishes a stepped alert level, and access to the crater is limited or closed when it rises, so always check the situation on the day
Millennium Cave
Usage
One of the country's largest caves, in the hills inland from Luganville on Espiritu Santo. The trip starts from Vunaspef village and takes a full day, seven to eight hours, over a bamboo bridge, down through rainforest, through the cave and back down the river; it is physically demanding. Landowner permission and a guide are required, and you cannot visit alone
SS President Coolidge
Usage
A US troopship of over 200 m lying off Luganville, wrecked in 1942 after striking friendly mines. It is world-famous as a wreck dive you can enter from the shore, but the hull lies on its side from about 20 m down past 70 m, and the deeper parts are for experienced divers. Dives are arranged through the operators in Luganville
Million Dollar Point
Usage
A shore site east of Luganville where the US military bulldozed trucks, bulldozers and equipment into the sea at the end of the Second World War. The wreckage is piled in shallow water and visible even while snorkelling, but the torn metal is sharp, so watch your footing
Champagne Beach
Usage
A white-sand beach on the east coast of Espiritu Santo near Hog Harbour. You turn off the east coast road and pay an entry fee to the customary landowners. It gets crowded on cruise-ship days
Port Olry
Usage
A village at the northern end of Espiritu Santo's east coast, where the sealed east coast road ends. Many of its people are French-speaking. It is known for its long beach, the islets offshore and its beachside eateries
Nanda Blue Hole
Usage
A blue hole, a freshwater spring pool, off the east coast road on Espiritu Santo, also known as Jackie's Blue Hole. It is on the Luganville side and easy to reach from the road. The entry fee goes to the customary landowners
Riri Blue Hole
Usage
A blue hole on the east coast of Espiritu Santo, best known for the approach by canoe up the Riri River from the coast, which makes it feel different from the others. Boats are arranged on the spot
Matevulu Blue Hole
Usage
A large, wide blue hole on the east coast of Espiritu Santo, reached by turning off the east coast road onto a dirt track. It is known for its rope swing
Mele Cascades
Usage
A terraced waterfall behind Mele village, about 10 km west of Port Vila. Limestone pools step up the hillside and you walk up from the bottom. There is an entry fee, and swimwear and footwear you can get wet are useful. It is the easiest excursion from Port Vila
Mele
Usage
One of the largest villages in Vanuatu, on the ring road west of Port Vila and facing Mele Bay. It is also the access point for the cascades, and shared minibuses run there from town
Chief Roi Mata's Domain
Usage
Vanuatu's only World Heritage site, listed in 2008. It covers three places connected with the seventeenth-century chief Roi Mata: his residence at Mangaas in northwest Efate, the cave on Lelepa, and his burial site on Artok (Hat Island). Visits are guided and start from Mangaliliu on Efate
Port Vila Market House
Usage
The produce market on the waterfront in central Port Vila, where women from the surrounding villages, called mamas locally, sell vegetables, fruit and cooked food such as laplap. It closes on Sundays and otherwise runs from early morning to late afternoon. The town centre was damaged in the December 2024 earthquake, so check locally where and when it is trading
Luganville Market
Usage
The market on Luganville's main street, where vegetables, fruit, fish and cooked food come in from around Santo. It is the place to stock up before heading out into the island. It closes on Sundays
Mount Tabwemasana
Usage
Vanuatu's highest mountain at about 1,879 m, in western Espiritu Santo. No road reaches the base; you travel by boat or light aircraft to a west coast village and climb over several days with village guides. It is not a volcano
Mount Marum
Usage
An active crater on the ash plain at the centre of Ambrym, which together with the neighbouring Benbow crater has been known for its lava lakes. Reaching it is a one- or two-day walk with village guides. Since the 2018 eruption access has at times been restricted depending on volcanic activity, so check current information before planning a trip
Lake Letas
Usage
Vanuatu's largest lake, inside the caldera on Gaua, with the active Mount Garet rising from it and its water spilling out as the Siri waterfall. Getting there takes several hours on foot with a guide
Sulphur Bay
Usage
A village on Tanna's east coast at the foot of Mount Yasur, locally called Ipeukel. It is the centre of the John Frum movement and holds its festival on 15 February each year. It is reached in a four-wheel drive across the ash plain
Havannah Harbour
Usage
A wide natural harbour on the northwest side of Efate, in view from the ring road. It was a major Allied anchorage in the Second World War, and boats to the offshore islands of Moso and Lelepa leave from this stretch of coast
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