With only 400 cruise vessels visiting Vanuatu's 83 islands each year and hundreds of safe anchorages, you won’t be bothered by crowded moorings or vendors. Take the time to review this page to prepare for your arrival.
If you wish to sail to Vanuatu on your yacht, the Stopover Handbook is perfect to help you start planning from where the Ports of Entry are to Clearance Procedures and every other Practical Information that you may be after.
Click on the image below to download your copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cruise days ashore are short, so choose stops that match what you want: Port Vila for town and harbour, Mystery Island for a beach day, or other islands for a brief village visit. Weather can change tender operations. Research what is included versus what you book independently, and carry vatu for markets. A cruise is a sampler, not a full island stay.
Your itinerary decides which islands you actually see and how long you have on land. Port Vila days can include markets, meals, and a nearby tour; remote stops are often beach-and-village only. You will not reach inland highlights such as Mount Yasur unless the ship is in Tanna and a tour is arranged. Read the port list as carefully as the cabin details.
Cruising suits visitors who want several islands without booking domestic flights, and who are happy with a ship as their hotel. It works well for first-timers sampling the country and for guests who prefer not to manage inter-island logistics. Travellers seeking deep village time or multi-day volcano trips will usually want a land stay as well. Many people do both on separate visits.