🛳️ TRACK A | CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS
Your ship calls at one of Vanuatu's main ports. We'll show you exactly what to do with your time ashore — shore excursions, local transport, must-see sites, and recommended tours within walking distance of the dock.
⛵ TRACK B | PRIVATE YACHTS & SAILING
Everything you need before you arrive — ports of entry, customs clearance procedures, required documents, anchorages, marina facilities, provisioning, and weather windows. Download the official Yacht Stop Over Handbook.
Your ship calls at one of five destinations across the Vanuatu archipelago. Select your port below to see what's within reach during your time ashore.
Vanuatu's capital and main hub. The waterfront is a short stroll from the cruise terminal. Markets, restaurants, cultural sites, and tour operators are all within easy reach. Taxis and local minibuses depart from the terminal gate.
Getting Around
Taxi rank at terminalLocal minibus (bus)Walking Map availableEfate Driving mapCar Hire nearbyTOP THINGS TO DO
Haos blong Handicraft in the city center, Port Vila markets, Seaside and Korman markets — 10 mins drive from town.
Iririki Snorkelling Cove, Top Rock, Pele Island, Hideaway Island
Full-day scenic drive around Efaté with coastal viewpoints, villages and picnic stops.
You can visit the Museum and 3 cultural villages in Port Vila, such as Ekasup and Pepeyo Cultural Village.
Perfect for cruise passengers seeking an island thrill, these high-energy shore excursions let you soar high over lush rainforest canyons.
Tear down muddy jungle trails and remote beaches on a self-drive adventure.
Vanuatu's second largest town and gateway to Espiritu Santo's world-class dive sites, blue holes, and pristine beaches. The town centre is a short walk from the wharf.
Getting Around
Taxi rank at wharfBicycle hireTour busesWalking mapTOP THINGS TO DO
World-famous WWII troop carrier wreck — all dive levels, 5 min from port
WWII equipment dump site — snorkelling and diving
Pristine white sand beach — 45 min drive
Natural freshwater swimming holes — Riri or Matevulu
A tiny uninhabited island off Aneityum, Vanuatu's southernmost inhabited island. Pure white sand, crystal clear water, and no roads — just beach, snorkelling, and relaxation.
Getting Around
Walk onlySnorkel from beachTOP THINGS TO DO
Coral gardens and tropical fish right off the beach
Short boat ride to the main island — local crafts and culture
Pure white sand, shade huts, local food stalls
Champagne Beach — Espiritu Santo
📍 -15.143792, 167.120381Getting Around
Beach & island excursionsLocal food & souvenirsDriving mapTOP THINGS TO DO
Unwind on the soft white sand, sit under shady palm trees, and wade in the warm turquoise waters.
Walk along the beach at low tide to feel the natural fizz between your toes.
Float peacefully in a tranquil freshwater hole surrounded by rainforest.
Swim directly off the beach to view vibrant coral reefs and hundreds of local fish species.
Explore the sunken 1942 luxury troopship, including its mosaic fountain, chandeliers and jeeps.
Enjoy fresh lobster and crab cooked and served by local residents directly on the beach.
Visit Chez Louis or Towoc Restaurant to try local staples such as fresh fish paired with sweet potato.
Browse handmade crafts, traditional patterned sarongs, and other local gifts and souvenirs.
Pangi — Pentecost Island
📍 15°55′29″S, 168°11′27″ELarge cruise ships anchor offshore in Pangi Bay and passengers transfer ashore by tender boat because Pangi does not have a deep-water commercial terminal. Cruise calls for the Naghol season are generally timed between April and June.
Getting Around
Tender transfer to Pangi Jetty Guided village walk Rainforest trail to ritual site Cash onlyTOP THINGS TO DO
Walk through Pangi village and browse a temporary open-air market with hand-woven baskets, carved wooden clubs and seasonal fruits.
Experience the sacred South Pentecost land-diving ritual, with rhythmic dancing, custom chanting and divers leaping from timber towers using vines tied to their ankles.
After the final dive, visitors may inspect the wooden tower and speak with village elders about local traditions, subject to cultural and photography requirements.
Enjoy a traditional feast including laplap, prepared with root vegetables, wild spinach and coconut cream and slow-baked in an earth oven.
Learn how South Pentecost kava is traditionally prepared and, where appropriate, sample a shell of the local drink.
Spend the afternoon swimming and snorkelling in the tropical waters near the jetty, with time to purchase final handmade souvenirs.
Carnival and its associated brands are the most frequent commercial visitors to Vanuatu, with strong deployments from Australian homeports.
Carnival and its integrated regional brands are the most frequent visitors to Vanuatu, heavily deploying ships out of homeports in Sydney and Brisbane.
Princess operates extensive itineraries through Vanuatu's waters each year, drawing large volumes of premium travellers.
Holland America features Vanuatu prominently as part of its longer South Pacific crossings and world cruise segments.
Costa Cruises (Carnival Corporation) occasionally includes Vanuatu on grand international and world-cruise voyages.
Royal Caribbean deploys some of its largest ships to the South Pacific, with regular multi-island itineraries calling at Vanuatu.
Known for its heavy rotation of itineraries stopping at Port Vila — one of Royal Caribbean’s flagship Quantum-class ships in the South Pacific.
A mainstay for multi-island itineraries in Vanuatu, offering a full range of onboard experiences on Voyager-class hardware.
Joins the regional schedule during high-occupancy months, bringing Quantum Ultra–class amenities to Vanuatu ports.
Independent and boutique lines that visit Vanuatu outside the two major commercial groups.
Boutique, upscale small-ship cruising with an emphasis on destination immersion and refined onboard experiences.
Small-ship expedition cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments of the global cruise industry, and Vanuatu’s dispersed islands, rich culture and marine biodiversity make it a strong fit. A 2026 research report prepared by LOTUS for the Vanuatu Tourism Office highlights the sector’s scale and the operators already including Vanuatu on their itineraries.
These Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) member lines currently include Vanuatu on published itineraries.
This French expedition line runs 26 itineraries across the Pacific Islands, with two — departing from Darwin — including Vanuatu.
Visit PONANT
Part of Royal Caribbean Group. The Grand South Pacific Expedition sails Perth to South America, covering 57 ports across 11 countries with a stop in Vanuatu.
Visit Silversea
An Adventure Life itinerary — “Rites and Relics: Fiji Firewalking, Vanuatu Volcanoes” — called at Espiritu Santo, Ambrym and Moso Island, though it is no longer on sale.
Visit National Geographic
Runs seven South Pacific itineraries, two of which visit Vanuatu — “Discover the Secrets of Melanesia,” departing from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Visit Heritage Expeditions
This Australian-based line’s key Vanuatu itinerary is “The Passage Through the Melanesian Arc,” departing from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Visit Coral ExpeditionsAll yachts arriving in Vanuatu must clear customs, immigration, biosecurity, and health at an official port of entry. Do not go ashore until cleared. The process is straightforward and officials are generally available 7 days a week at the two primary ports.
Biosecurity Vanuatu clearance is required before fresh food, plants, or animals may be landed.
Main international port. Customs, immigration, biosecurity and health available 7 days. Anchor in quarantine zone south of the main wharf.
Second city. Full clearance services. Alongside wharf or anchorage available. Close to the SS President Coolidge wreck dive site.
Seasonal entry point. Limited services. Nearest port to Mount Yasur volcano. Pre-notify customs at least 24 hours before arrival.
Sheltered anchorage at Port Resolution. Enter in daylight; anchorage can accommodate up to 40 boats in approximately 8m depth.
Remote northern entry. Minimal infrastructure. For yachts cruising the northern island group. Pre-notify customs minimum 48 hours.
Hoist quarantine flag on approach. Do not go ashore or receive visitors until cleared.
Port Vila: south of main wharf. Luganville: designated Q anchorage east of town.
Call Vanuatu Port Authority to notify arrival. They will coordinate the boarding party.
Customs, immigration, biosecurity, and health officers board together. Have all documents ready.
Clearance fees payable in VUV or USD. Cruising permit valid for duration of stay.
Free to go ashore, receive guests, and cruise to other islands. Carry permit at all times.
Full fees, contact list, anchorage guide, regulations
Reference maps by province. More provinces will be added as they're supplied.
Suggested sailing routes for yacht visitors. Additional yacht itineraries will be added once supplied by VTO.
A gentle first cruise — Port Vila as base, exploring the anchorages and islands of Efaté.
Explore the cultural heritage of the islands.
A deep dive into Penama Province's culture, waterfalls and traditions.
Blue holes, white-sand beaches and Santo's WWII history.
Water temperature: 24–29°C year-round. Wetsuit optional outside cyclone season. SE trade winds 15–25 knots, comfortable beam reach on most passages.
Additional map pins will be added when exact location details are supplied.
Restaurant and bar (BYO permitted), with fresh water available by jerry can. The sheltered anchorage accommodates up to 40 boats in approximately 8m depth. There are no entrance markers, so vessels should enter in daylight.
Run by Robert and Serah Dini, who warmly welcome cruisers. Sola is also a port of entry for Torba, with customs and immigration services, a clinic, ATM and market nearby.
A community-created yacht club welcoming visiting cruisers. It provides an island information centre, inland tours to historical sites, Slow Food activities and nighttime activities.
Marina and yachting services base in Port Vila, offering berths, moorings, and support for visiting cruisers.
Following the community-led relaunch of the Asanvari Yacht Club in August 2026, local customary fees are requested to maintain infrastructure and support the village.
Au Bon Marche and other supermarkets in Port Vila.
Port Vila Central Market and Luganville Market — open daily.
Fuel docks at Port Vila Marina and Luganville wharf. Carry jerrycans for outer islands.
Refills available in Port Vila. Bring adaptors — fittings vary.
Very limited. Bring essential spares. Nearest chandlery is Noumea or New Zealand.
