What to do and see in Vanuatu, Vanuatu: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

May 7, 2022 Rebbecca Marino

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. Air Taxi

Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
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1%
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5.0 based on 558 reviews

Air Taxi

Mt Yasur, on the Southern Vanuatu island of Tanna, is the archipelago’s most iconic landmark. Words can’t adequately describe the thrill and awe of walking to the edge of an active volcano and watching it erupt. It is one of the most spectacular natural events you’re ever likely to witness, especially at night when the molten magma displays are truly awesome. AIR TAXI Vanuatu offers premium Day and Overnight Tours to Tanna.

2. Vanuatu Ecotours

Excellent
91%
Good
8%
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1%
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5.0 based on 988 reviews

Vanuatu Ecotours

VANUATU ECOTOURS offers real-life authentic Experiences. Walking, River Kayaking, Moutain Biking or Trekking in waterfalls, pick your off the beaten track adventure. We only cater small groups so you can better appreciate Vanuatu’s natural environment and diverse cultures. We love creating tailor-made small group experiences, adapted to all levels of fitness and age groups. We speak French, English and Bislama. As the acknowledged outer islands tourism expert and the preferred fixer for visiting TV and film crews, VANUATU ECOTOURS is also involved in the community and committed to sustainable tourism. We spread the benefits of tourism, by partnering with local communities and local tourism projects all around Vanuatu. Our responsibility is to help protect the environmental and cultural treasures of this amazing country. Respect for the environment and for the people of Vanuatu is at the heart of Vanuatu Ecotours.

3. Millennium Cave

Millennium Cave Luganville Santo, Luganville, Espiritu Santo 862 Vanuatu +678 547 0957 http://www.heritagetours.com.vu/millenium-cave
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
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1%
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5.0 based on 678 reviews

Millennium Cave

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.

4. Mount Hope Waterfall

Mount Hope Cattle Station Village de Santo Resort, Luganville, Espiritu Santo Vanuatu +678 771 1706 [email protected] http://www.villagedesantoresort.com
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
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1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 165 reviews

Mount Hope Waterfall

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 !

5. Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
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5.0 based on 967 reviews

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline allows people to experience the fabulous rain forest, ocean views and canyon crossing by traversing on ZIPLINES at height. Its an exciting and challenging activity for the whole family ages 4 - 80+ years. There are two separate courses with 13 ZIPLINES covering a distance of 2.2Km. The RAIN FOREST TREE TOP CANOPY TOUR is our original course and has 6 ZIPLINES and TWO suspension bridges and is 1km long. Our ZIPTREK course has 7 ZIPLINES covering a distance of 1.3 Km. Participants wear full body harnesses and are attached to the cable with a continuous belay. Bookings are essential. We pick up from town at our ticket booth in PORT VILA on the sea front at NUMBAWAN cafe at either 10 am or 1.00 PM. Transfers are free of charge when doing the Zipline or if you are just watching $10. Or you may make your own way to the Zipline. We are located at MELE BAY, just past Island Magic Resort. Turn off down the dirt road - Devils Point road and follow the signs.

6. Santo Horse Adventures

Luganville Bay, Luganville, Espiritu Santo Vanuatu +678 777 4700 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/SantoHorseAdventures/info
Excellent
97%
Good
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5.0 based on 152 reviews

Santo Horse Adventures

Reviewed By 501gt - Australia, null

We highly recommend this tour! Our morning started with being picked up from our accommodation by friendly Megan and taken to her 200-acre riding ranch near Surranda Bay on the Coral Sea. Megan does a wonderful job with her many rescue horses and was very good checking out everyone’s riding experience to match us up with appropriate horses - all of which may have some quirks from their past mistreatment but are wonderful animals. We loved riding through the Island’s countryside, farms, mangrove rainforest and even through a village preparing for a local wedding! Meanwhile, Megan and her local Ni-Vanuatu riding guide explained some of the native bush and birds we saw. The best part was riding through a freshwater stream covered with mangrove trees down to the sea, and of course Megan herself. We sincerely hope that she, her family, workers, and horses are safe after the recent Cyclone Harold and that tourists are soon able to return to her magical ‘Santo’ Island paradise.

7. Freshwater Plantation

Espiritu Santo 8888 Vanuatu +678 773 1641 [email protected] http://www.freshwater.vu/
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
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5.0 based on 113 reviews

Freshwater Plantation

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!

8. Mystery Island

Aneityum Island Vanuatu
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 525 reviews

Mystery Island

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.

9. Atmosphere Tours

Excellent
82%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,039 reviews

Atmosphere Tours

It is not about what we know about our islands & our heritage, but it is how we let you see it through our eyes and our passion. Atmosphere is an indigenous Ni-Vanuatu company with a dedicated team who will inspire you with their passion, knowledge of and love for their country intertwined with their contagious sense of Melanesian humour. The Atmosphere team will do all that they can to ensure that you not only visit Vanuatu, but that you truly experience and appreciate it.

10. Lelepa Island Day Tour

Excellent
81%
Good
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4.5 based on 511 reviews

Lelepa Island Day Tour

We operate a day trip to Lelepa Island. We pick up our guest from their resort in Port Vila and we drive 30 minutes to Havana Harbor, then board our boats ride for 15 minutes to Lelepa Island. We provide snorkeling on our marine conservation, visit World war 2 relics, visit historical cave, relax on our beautiful beach, meet our local people and see how we live on the islands, and enjoy a delicious beach BBQ lunch. We pick you up from your resort from 8:00am and we return at 4:30 - 5:00pm. We operate everyday except Saturday.Cruise ship passengers are welcomed too. We arrange special timing for you if your ship is leaving at 5:00pm. Most of our guest are so delightedly enjoyed their day out with us on our untouched Island Paradise. You've never been to Vanuatu unless you include Lelepa Island in your bucket list.

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