Blue Holes, Espiritu Santo

Entry requirements depend on your passport. Check your specific requirements on the Vanuatu page at Yoogo.

Vanuatu uses the Vanuatu vatu (VUV). Cash is important outside Port Vila and Luganville. Cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants in Port Vila, but ATMs are limited on outer islands. Bring sufficient cash when leaving the main centres.

Vanuatu is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft occurs occasionally in urban areas. The country has active volcanoes, including Yasur on Tanna Island, which requires guided visits and monitoring. Cyclones are a significant hazard, typically between November and April. Check your government's travel advisory before visiting.

Domestic flights connect Port Vila (Efate) with Tanna, Espiritu Santo, and other islands. Ferries serve some island routes but can be slow and weather-dependent. On the main islands, taxis and minibuses are available. Outer island travel typically requires a local guide and forward planning.

April to October is the cooler and drier season, generally considered the best time to visit. November to March is hotter and wetter, with cyclone risk. The Naghol land diving ceremony on Pentecost Island takes place in April and May and is one of the world's most dramatic cultural events.

Vanuatu has three official languages: Bislama (a creole language serving as the national lingua franca), English, and French. It also has over 100 indigenous languages, giving it one of the highest language-to-population ratios in the world. English and French are both used in tourism and government.

No vaccinations are required for most travellers, but routine immunisations should be up to date. Malaria is present on some islands, particularly in the north; consult a travel health clinic for advice. Dengue fever is present. Medical facilities outside Port Vila are very limited.

Tipping is not a traditional custom in Vanuatu but is appreciated in tourist settings. Rounding up the bill at a restaurant or leaving a small tip for a guide is a kind gesture. There are no rigid expectations.

Mobile coverage is available in Port Vila and Luganville, and has expanded to many outer islands. Digicel Vanuatu is the main provider. Local SIM cards are available. Internet speeds are slow by international standards. Wi-Fi is available at hotels in Port Vila but limited elsewhere.

Kastom (custom) is central to ni-Vanuatu identity and varies between islands. Always ask before entering a village and seek permission before photographing people. Dress modestly outside beach areas, particularly in rural and inland communities. The Naghol ceremony and other traditional rituals are sacred; observe them with respect. Kava, the traditional drink made from the kava plant, is an important part of social life and is shared at nakamals (kava bars).