The Ultimate Solo Female Travel Guide to Vanuatu

This is a guest post by Anja Ilar.

Vanuatu is an island archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. It is part of Melanesia, and an ideal bucket list destination for adventure travelers, nature lovers, divers, and beach lovers. It was my third South Pacific island group that I visited solo, after Fiji and Samoa.

Formerly known as New Hebrides, this is an island-hopping destination where each island offers a unique experience: Efate with the capital city Port Vila and its market, Tanna with Mount Yasur volcano and kastom villages, Pentecost with Nagol land diving ritual, and Santo with blue holes and epic diving sites.

Curious what exactly can you expect from a solo trip to Vanuatu? Read on to find out:

Vanuatu Solo Traveler Friendliness

I have found the locals in Vanuatu very welcoming and friendly. In Port Vila, I got a free room upgrade, because I was a solo female traveler. On Tanna, the owners of the accommodation went above and beyond to make my stay as pleasant as possible. Same in Luganville on Santo Island.

The most spoken language in Vanuatu is Bislama, but I have found it easy to communicate with Ni-Vans (except with the local tribe on Pentecost). Ni-Van or Ni-Vanuatu terms are used to describe indigenous population of Vanuatu, while Vanuatuan refers to any Vanuatu citizen. A large majority of people I met spoke at least the basics of English.

The main religion in Vanuatu is Christianity. The dress code should be casual and not over revealing. You can wear shorts, dresses and bikinis on a beach. When visiting sacred grounds, cover your shoulders, cleavage and knees. I had no problems visiting local tribes, people were happy to take photos with me and men didn’t objectify women.

Best Places to Travel Solo in Vanuatu

If you’re looking for places to include in your Vanuatu itinerary on your solo adventure, here are my top recommendations:

Port Vila on Efate Island

You will probably start your Vanuatu island hopping in Port Vila on Efate Island. It is the capital city of Vanuatu, where you can get up and close with locals in Port Vila Market. I loved shopping for souvenirs and eating local tropical fruit bigger than my hand.

If this is your first time in Vanuatu, staying in Port Vila is the best way to meet people. I’ve met most travelers, volunteers, and expats here. You will meet locals wherever you go.

Port Vila is a great base for exploring the island. You can join a tour with GetYourGuide or Viator, or explore on your own with local buses. I did a combination of both. Make sure to visit some of the beaches and send a postcard from an underwater post office close to Hideaway Island.

You can choose to visit Mele Cascades Waterfall, Blue Lagoon, Turtle Sanctuary, and get an introduction to kastom traditions. There is also a small museum in Port Vila, about sand drawing and cannibalism.

Port Vila can also serve as a base for day trips to other Vanuatu islands – Tanna and Pentecost. If you are short on time, you can join the Tanna volcano tour and visit Mount Yasur volcano in one day. The next one is the Pentecost island tour, which is one of the best places to visit in Vanuatu.

Pentecost Island

The easiest way to visit Pentecost Island and experience Nagol or Land diving ritual, will be with a tour. I booked via email directly with Air Taxi Vanuatu.

Nagol or N’gol ritual takes place in the months between April and June. This rite of passage ritual, also known as Vanuatu bungee jumping, inspired AJ Hacket to create the modern version. Watching men jumping from wooden towers with only lianas tied on the ankles will be a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience. After the land diving, you will also get to spend some time in a local village.

Tanna Island

When planning a trip to Vanuatu, make sure to include Tanna. I visited Tanna Island because I wanted to climb an active volcano. Mount Yasur volcano is one of the most easily accessible and most active volcanoes in the World.

There is a warning system that rates the volcano’s activity from 0 to 5. If the activity level is rated lower than 2, the crater can be approached safely. Standing on the rim of an active volcano is exciting and scary. There are no handrails to protect you from falling when a volcano erupts and the ground shakes.

I was staying in a locally run accommodation and slept in a tree house. I felt safe and well looked after as a solo traveler. It was easy to meet other travelers on a Mount Yasur hike and when staying in my bungalow accommodation.

Besides the Volcano hike, you can also visit the Melanesian Kastom village (the famous one is the Yakel tribe). This was another highlight of my Tanna visit. I witnessed traditional dances, and rituals and got to know their way of life better. When on Tanna, you can also go to hot springs, go ash boarding, go on a magic tour, and much more!

Luganville on Santo Island

On your solo trip to Vanuatu, make sure to spend at least a couple of days on Espiritu Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu. The “Jewel of Vanuatu” is a paradise for divers, beach lovers and adventurers. 

Base yourself in Luganville and explore the island from there. Have a dip in blue holes, with crystal-clear freshwater amidst lush tropical surroundings. On another day sign up for an adventurous Millenium cave hike and contribute back to local communities.

Make sure to snorkel amongst the remnants of Million Dollar Point, a submerged World War II dumpsite, revealing a fascinating array of wartime relics. If diving is your passion, make sure to book a couple of dives to SS President Coolidge Wreck, the largest most accessible wreck in the world.

Port Olry, with Champagne Beach, welcomes solo explorers with its pristine white sandy beaches and authentic island charm. Great for interaction with locals and an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection.

How to Meet Others in Vanuatu

Vanuatu might not be on the list of the most popular tourist destinations and therefore is not overflowing with tourists. So meeting like-minded people will be a bit harder, but not impossible. And even if you are traveling solo to Vanuatu, that doesn’t mean you will be alone.

One thing you can be absolutely positive about is that you will meet locals wherever you go. Based on my experience, they are warm, friendly, and always ready to help.

Meeting other travelers will be the easiest in bigger towns, like Port Vila and Luganville. I’ve met a lot of volunteers and expats in both towns. For travelers, I met most of them in the accommodations I’ve stayed at.

Another great option to meet travelers was joining an organized tour. I participated in three of them; Efate island, Pentecost island tour, and Mount Yasur volcano hike. I traveled around Santo with travelers I’ve met on Efate and Tanna since most of the Vanuatu itineraries end on Santo. 

Getting Around as a Solo Traveler in Vanuatu

Flights

Most flights arrive at Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila on the main island Efate. From here you can order a taxi, take a bus, or order a private transfer to Port Vila. There are plenty of transport options in Efate, but the further you go from Port Vila or on other islands, the more organized you will have to be.

Flying is also the fastest option to travel between the islands. For day tours between islands check AirtaxiVanuatu and for flights, have a look at Air Vanuatu flights. Don’t forget that you will have to pay 200 VUV in cash before boarding a domestic flight.

UPDATE: Air Vanuatu and Air Taxi Vanuatu have ceased operations. As for now, the best options seem to be Fiji Airways & their codeshare partners (Qantas, virgin Australia). Besides flying, you can also consider cruises to Vanuatu. P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise, and Royal Caribbean offer cruise trips to Vanuatu from Brisbane and Sydney in Australia.

Buses and minivans

Buses and minivans are popular modes of transportation. You will find most of them on Efate. They offer great connections between the airport and Port Vila. They are budget-friendly and great for exploring the island on your own. However, they don’t have a fixed schedule or routes. To get on it, hail down a bus or minivan with a red “B” on their plate. Also, make sure to tell the driver where you want to go and he will let you know where to get off.

Taxis

I’ve seen a lot of taxis around Port Vila. They are more expensive than buses but can be a better option if you are short on time. You can find them at Port Vila Market and they have “T” on their license plate.

Organized transport and tours

Organized tours and transport options are great when you don’t want to explore on your own. I pre-arranged my airport pickup at the airport when I first arrived. They both provide a hassle-free way to explore, and maximize your time, are safe and great way to meet fellow travelers.

Bike Rentals

I only rented a bike in Luganville to explore Santo Island. I was cycling all the way to Million Dollar Point to the Blue Holes. It was great to have the freedom of exploring but it was hard. Bike was not the best, some of the roads were challenging, it was hot, and I got lost a couple of times since there are not many signs where you were going.

Car Rentals

For more flexibility, you can rent a car. I haven’t done it but have met some travelers who rented a car on Efate. On Vanuatu, they drive on the right side of the road. Outside of main cities roads and signage can be questionable. Watch for animals on the road (especially cattle) and always be sure to top your fuel before going on a trip. 

Where to Stay when Traveling Solo in Vanuatu

In Port Vila, you will have plenty of options rom luxurious resorts, guesthouses, bungalows and a few backpacker hostels. The guesthouse where I’ve stayed stopped renting rooms. But you can choose South Pacific Memories or Breakas Beach Resort for your stay.

When booking your accommodation on Tanna, you have two options. You can stay on the West Coast or East Coast. Accommodation options on the West Coast are more luxurious and modern. The ones on the East Coast are around the Mount Yasur area and are more basic, like tree houses and bungalows. I’ve stayed at Castle Tree House And Bungalow and loved every minute of it.

On Santo island, it is best to get accommodation around Luganville. It will be easiest to meet people and get company to share a taxi. I stayed at Deco Stop Lodge, which was within walking distance to Luganville.

How to stay safe as a Solo Traveler in Vanuatu

Earthquakes, cyclones and tsunamis

Islands in Vanuatu archipelago lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire. In case of any natural disaster happening, follow the National Disaster Management Office and Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-Hazards Department advice. 

Earthquakes occur regularly and there are active volcanoes. If you will do a Mount Yasur volcano hike, follow the advice of the local guide. There is a tsunami warning system in Luganville and Port Vila. In the case of cyclones, that usually happens during the wet season, between November and April.

Traveler’s stomach

Vanuatu food is a mixture of French and English cuisine with local ingredients.

Trust your instinct and be cautious with street food. If something doesn’t look right, better to avoid it. Wash your hands before meals. Tap water in Vanuatu is safe to drink but stick to bottled water to be on the safe side. Drink a lot of water and eat fruit that can be peeled.

Mosquito diseases

There are mosquito diseases in Vanuatu. Most common ones are malaria, dengue, and zika.

They are present on all islands, including in Port Vila. A higher risk for mosquito bites is during the wettest months. But take mosquito bite prevention measures no matter the time of year you are visiting. Some of them are using mosquito nets, using insect repellent with 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin, and wearing long sleeves at dusk and at night.

READ NEXT: What to do when you get sick while traveling

Travel Insurance

There are good medical facilities in Port Vila but are very limited on the outer island. If something happens to you on Tanna or Santo, you will need to get evacuated, which can cost a lot. That is why I prefer to be safe than sorry and always travel with travel insurance. My go-to is SafetyWing. They cover all nationalities and cover me in any part of the globe.

Overall, Vanuatu is an amazing country to explore as a solo female traveler. If you are visiting, it will definitely be one of the countries that will leave a mark and make you will want to come back to.

About the author: Anja travels around the world as a solo traveler and a tour guide and shares her adventures on Anja on Adventure travel blog. She love tropical islands and lived in some amazing tropical places when filming the reality TV show Survivor. When not traveling, she creates travel itineraries for others or is outside on a walk with her dog. Follow along with Anja’s adventures on Instagram.