City: Vanuatu
Top Things to do in Vanuatu
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Vanuatu That You Shouldn't Miss
Vanuatu (English: /ˌvɑːnuˈɑːtuː/ ( listen) VAH-noo-AH-too or /vænˈwɑːtuː/ van-WAH-too; Bislama, French IPA: [vanuatu]), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (French: République de Vanuatu, Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is a Pacific island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is 1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi) east of northern Australia, 540 kilometres (340 mi) northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji.
Restaurants in Vanuatu
1. Millennium Cave
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 678 reviews
Reviewed By CherylS84 - Brisbane, Australia
Great Day, Physically challenging, my one suggestion is to make sure you stop now and again and enjoy the moment. As you are climbing down ladders and over rocks we tend to be focused on ground. Stop and soak in what you are doing and look around. Hopeful to return again, Thank you Jerry and Paul for looking after us. You are going to get wet, you will get dirty, you MUST have walking shoes that you dont mind getting wet. If you are on cruise ship remind them of your return time.
2. SS President Coolidge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By S897LVdavidp - Honiara, Solomon Islands
Dived with Coral Quays Resort, they've got an awesome dive operation and setup, the equipment and guides are all top-notch, and safety is their first priority. The wreck itself - wow! So much to explore, I did 23 dives in one trip, and still didn't see most of it! Highlights were the night dive with the flashlight fish, and Tom's magical mystery tour down the back end of the wreck. I'll be back there again as soon as I can!
3. Mount Hope Waterfall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 165 reviews
A half day excursion floating down river, snaking your way through the dense Vanuatu rainforest. The river has carved out a magnificent gorge, lined with remarkable limestone formations and overhanging supersized ferns and trees. You will exit at Mount Hope Waterfall. Exiting the waterfall you will follow the guides on an instructive walk through the lush jungle and finish with morning tea, infectious laughter and smiles coming from the happiest people on the planet. Travelling by road from Luganville you will see the daily village life in all its simplicity. Required are closed (reef) shoes and shorts. Bring camera, towel and change of clothes.
Reviewed By H8426DHkarens
Thoroughly enjoyed this experience with 3 very helpful guides. Safety standards can be interesting in different countries, this group had an initial safety talk, waivers were signed, safety gear was provided, water shoes, gloves, life jackets. The guides were very coordinated, positioning themselves to assist & ensure guest safety, I was very impressed! The gorge itself was breathtaking to float gently down. Small rapids were not an issue with our guides to direct us & help. The waterfall was warm & not slippery to walk up. There was also a small cave directly under the waterfall you could go into to view from the inside. I am a 54 yr old with chronic arthritis & the only issue I had was the moving water at the waterfall set off my vertigo, again the guides (& my partner) were quickly able to allow me to grip their hands & walk over it. Magical experience !
4. Freshwater Plantation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 113 reviews
A unique interpretive experience of a working cocoa plantation incorporating the Aore Island Bat Cave on the 300 acre property in the Segund Channel. Just a short boat ride from Santo mainland and a few minutes out of Luganville, Freshwater welcomes guests to stay on the plantation (see www.freshwater.vu for details) or visit for the day to relax, swim and snorkel and dine in our restaurant. Daily guided tours of the plantation are conducted every day in the morning and afternoon and suitable for all ages, and fitness levels. We are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and host events such as Thirsty Thursday happy hours and Sunday afternoon buffet with live entertainment. Don't miss this highly recommended day out during your visit to Santo.
Reviewed By sue_marieUk - York, United Kingdom
From the beginning (catching the free ferry from St Michel Landing) to finishing with lunch, snorkelling and the ferry back this was a wonderful trip. Jack was my excellent guide and he pointed out various plants, insects, fruits and trees, plus told some local folklore tales as we walked around the plantation. I personally loved everything about the bat cave but it might not suit everyone and you can easily miss out this part of the walk if you don’t like the thought of all the batS overhead and cockroaches underfoot! Lunch after the tour was superb and great value. I had the Tuluk entree followed by Death by Chocolate - both dishes were by far the best food I’ve had since coming to Vanuatu ten days ago. For the tour, my advice is to wear sturdy shoes if you have them, and take drinking water. Put some mozzie spray on before setting off. Hand sanitiser might be good, although it’s provided at the bat cave. After lunch, I went snorkelling in the crystal clear water and saw the most beautiful fish without ever getting out of my depth. Take reef shoes. Magical. I can’t recommend the Freshwater Plantation enough!
5. Million Dollar Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
This incredible dive site was created when Americans dumped millions of dollars worth of equipment at the end of the war.
Reviewed By lucas315 - Wellington, New Zealand
This is such a cool experience, just pop into the water (start swimming right away or wear water shoes) and see boats, forklifts, and other stuff from the end of WWII dumped right off the beach. It was 500 Vatu pp, and there were bathrooms and picnic tables. Although just a 5 minute walk along the beach to the right is Million Dollar Resort- where there is free access to the beach, a restaurant, and beautiful bungalow accommodation.
6. Cascades Waterfalls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
A series of pools lead up to a 50 meter drop.
Reviewed By TiffanyW808 - North Carolina, United States
Don't be fooled by the first cascade you come to because there are many more with a little effort of a short walk. You'll see various cascades along the way to the big waterfall. You can take time to swim in them if you wish. I am just saddened that the land (cascades) no longer belongs to the native inhabits.
7. Mystery Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
Reviewed By Munquee - Perth, Australia
We arrived by ship....a cruise ship.....all 4500 of us....for one day. What a little paradise this turned out to be. This is a small coral island that you can walk around in less than an hour. Friendly locals with stalls and touristy stuff for sale. Some food and drink. Best part was the swim in the ocean...warm and relaxing. All nicely organised.
8. Mele Cascades
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,973 reviews
Mele Cascades Waterfalls is one of Efate's most popular natural attractions. Only 20 minutes drive out of town, a visit can be completed in just over two hours. There are bathroom facilities available , sitting area, a small cafe and bar on site for purchase of food and drinks. The area is local owned and run by locals. Revenue generated help pay wages for local employees, maintenance and upkeep of the area,community development for surrounding villages and sponsorship of social activities, most especially soccer development programs for youth. Note: Efate is currently experiencing severe El Nino and the once picturesque attraction has very low water levels. This is also causing drastic water supply shortage to villages and its people. To close the business would mean loss of income for many.
Reviewed By JenBeynon - Melbourne, Australia
We visited the Mele Cascades when we had a hire car for the day. Easy to find, entry fee is reasonable and as it was quiet Jason one of the staff was able to show us around, take photos and also made several things for the kids from the surrounding vegetation which they loved. He also showed us the Hideaway Island look out which branches off from the main path to the left on the way up (not signposted). Beautiful falls and wish we could have stayed longer and made more of a day of it.
9. Yakel Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By greg_wanders - Auckland Central, New Zealand
I think the interaction at Yakel would compete with one of the top experiences in Vanuatu, keeping in mind you can also stand at the rim of an active Volcano. On our second day in Tanna we booked a day tour to Yakel village through are accommodation at Whitegrass. There is practically no other way to get there. It was 8000Vatu for the day tour, 1 hr drive from the airport. The small village of 800 people deep in the forests of central Tanna is home to one of the last tribal societies of the South Pacific where the ''Kastom'' way of life is still alive and thriving. Kastom is a pidgin word (Bislama/English) used to refer to traditional culture including religion, economics, art and magic in Melanesia. In cultures where language is unwritten, oral traditions of the kastom way of life, have been faithfully passed down from generation to generation. Charlie, one of the few members of the tribe to speak English,’took us around and showed us their simple way of life. The experience was very informative and eye opening and in all respects authentic. He showed us the tree house, their kitchen and introduced us to different members of the tribe. You can add a walk to the waterfall at an extra charge. At the end of the tour the tribe gathers around in the clearing in the forest to perform three of their traditional dances and you are free to buy a few handmade souvenirs from the women. I would recommend this while you are on Tanna Island , it could possibly be done on the same day with the mt Yasur tour as those do start in the afternoon. In total the trip to Yakel took about 4 hours including the drive.
10. Wet N Wild Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Wet 'n'Wild has now added some more exciting new attractions to the Adventure Park with a new longer, steeper more exhilarating zorb track and a 90m Slippery Water Slide, Human Slingshot Swing, Go Karting, Bubble Soccer and Segways. The Adventure Cafe is now also open for snacks and hot and cold drinks.
Reviewed By L-Rexx - Adelaide, Australia
Came here in Feb 2016 and had a great time, have come again just this passed week and had just as good of a time! The first visit we did zorbing, slingshot, gokarting and the waterslide, this time we did the zorbing slingshot and waterslide and had once again a brilliant day out. Thank you to Sandy and everyone else for being so accommodating, is a gorgeous little waterpark in a tropical paradise. Can make a whole or half day adventure here easily, or even just a few hours depending on how many activities you want to do. Will see you again next time we come over!
