Health and safety
Medical evacuation115
Town tap waterSafe to drink
Pharmacies8am–5pm
Travel insuranceEssential

Before departure

Health & safety

Although Vanuatu is a safe destination, some activities on outer islands fall under the “adventure (dangerous)” category, such as parasailing, scuba diving, motorcycling and even trekking.

  • Buy travel insurance before you arrive, and check that it covers the adventure (dangerous) category, ambulances and emergency flights home.
  • See your doctor for shots and medications before you travel.
  • Malaria and hepatitis A are both present on some islands.
  • Take anti-malaria medication before, during and after your trip, and make sure your vaccinations are up to date.
Health and safety in Vanuatu

When in Vanuatu

Staying safe

The usual precautions

Keep valuables secure, avoid travelling alone at night, and carry photocopies of your passport, tickets and credit cards in case the originals are lost. Respect local customs and laws for a safe and enjoyable stay.

Insects and wildlife

There are no dangerous animals or insects in Vanuatu. Wear clothing that covers your skin to reduce the chance of being bitten by insects.

Sun, water and first aid

Take plenty of sunscreen and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and sunburn. Pack a first-aid kit for cuts and bites, because small cuts can get infected very easily in tropical climates.

Drinking water

Town water supplies are safe to drink, but if you have a sensitive stomach, choose bottled water. If you’re heading to the outer islands, buy bottled water in Port Vila or Luganville, as supplies there are limited.

Medical services

Hospitals & doctors

Main hospitals

Medical services are concentrated in Port Vila on Efate and Luganville on Santo, at Vila Central Hospital and Northern Provincial Hospital. They offer general medicine, surgery, maternity care and emergency services.

Doctors and appointments

General practitioners and specialists work in the hospitals and private clinics. Make appointments in advance for non-emergency consultations.

Expect basic but competent care

Hospitals may not have the equipment or specialist care of more developed countries. For specialised treatment, surgery or severe conditions, medical evacuation will likely be necessary.

Evacuation

Serious cases may mean evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia. Travel insurance that covers these costs is strongly recommended.

Outer islands

Limited healthcare

Small clinics and dispensaries

Healthcare on the outer islands is limited to clinics and dispensaries with basic resources. They handle minor ailments and injuries, but serious conditions need evacuation to Port Vila, Luganville, or even Australia or New Zealand.

Bring your own supplies

Carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and any medications you need, as pharmacies and healthcare facilities can be hard to reach and supplies may not be available. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation is crucial.

Pharmacies

Hours & locations

Pharmacies in Port Vila and Luganville are well stocked with common medications and healthcare products. They are generally open from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays, with shorter hours on weekends.

Carry enough of any prescription medication you need, as specific medicines may not be available.

  • Tana Plaza Pharmacy, Port Vila: daily, 8:00am to 9:00pm
  • Healthwise Pharmacy, Port Vila town: weekdays, 8:00am to 5:30pm
  • Pharmacie du Vanuatu, Port Vila town: weekdays, 8:00am to 5:30pm
  • The Pharmacy, Port Vila (rue Dartois): weekdays, 8:00am to 5:30pm
  • Drug store, Port Vila (rue de Paris): weekdays, 8:00am to 5:30pm
  • The drug store, Luganville: weekdays, 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Luganville drugstore, Luganville: weekdays, 8:00am to 5:00pm

In an emergency

Promed – Medical Evacuation: 115
medevac@promedical.com.vu
Non-urgent clinical requests: clinical@promedical.com.vu, +678 5553153
ProMedical services

Hospitals

Vanuatu Private Hospital, Port Vila: +678 22255
vanuatuprivatehospital@gmail.com
Northern Provincial Hospital, Luganville: +678 36345

Medical advice and dentist

The Medical Centre, Port Vila: +678 22826
medicalcentre@vanuatu.com.vu
Novodental dentist, Port Vila: +678 26696
reception@novodental.net

Frequently Asked Questions

Vanuatu is generally a safe destination. Use the usual precautions: look after valuables, avoid walking alone late at night, and keep copies of your documents. Travel insurance should cover adventure activities and medical evacuation, because serious care may mean a flight to Australia or New Zealand. Respect local custom and you will find people welcoming.
Earthquakes and volcanic activity are part of life on this Pacific arc. Mount Yasur is active, and other islands have volcanoes that can restrict access when restless. Cyclone season runs roughly from November to April. Follow local advice, and treat volcano visits as guided activities, not casual lookouts.
See a doctor before you travel; malaria is present on some islands, and you may need prevention as well as up-to-date vaccinations. Pack a first-aid kit, insect protection and any prescription medicines. Vila Central Hospital and Northern Provincial Hospital in Luganville are the main hospitals; outer islands have only basic clinics. Insurance that includes evacuation is essential.
Saltwater crocodiles are not a typical risk on Efate's tourist beaches. They have been recorded in some northern islands and waterways, including Vanua Lava and parts of Santo. Follow local advice if you are inland or in the north, and do not swim in unknown rivers or mangroves. Vanuatu is not a Nile-crocodile destination.