I Explored the Islands of Vanuatu – Here’s Why it Should be on Your 2025 Bucket List

When I told friends I was going to Vanuatu, the first question they asked was ‘But, you’re not getting married? Isn’t that where you go on your honeymoon?’.

I pointed to my backpack and the hiking boots beside it. 

‘No’, I told them. ‘I’m going on an adventure.’

I had heard there were volcanoes to climb and rigger canoes to paddle in, homestays on outer islands where visitors were welcomed with open arms and tables full of food. I knew I had to jump on a flight and head there as soon as I could.

Read more: Vanuatu Included on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025

After three weeks in Vanuatu, I returned a changed person. I had a lot to say about the place (check out the Destination Guide on WAE for all things Vanuatu) and I’m here to remind you that if you’re looking for a destination in 2025, make sure this Pacific neighbour is at the top of your list. 

Vanuatu: A Snapshot

But first, a quick history lesson: 83 islands. First inhabited by the Melanesian people. Spain claimed the island in 1606. In the 1880s France and the United Kingdom claimed parts of the archipelago too. An independence movement arose in the 1970s and by 1980, the Republic of Vanuatu was established. There are over 100 unique languages spoken across these islands, and each community is led by a chief who guides their unique customs.

If you’re looking for adventure, look to Vanuatu

I spent a lot of time in the outer islands, and I’ve listed 19 of the most adventurous experiences in this list. However, I want to point you to two experiences specifically: a hidden sea cave on Tanna Island and the highest peak in Vanuatu on Espiritu Santo Island.

Tanna Island is situated in southern Vanuatu, a short 40-minute domestic flight from Port Vila (where you’ll fly in from Australia). Tanna Island is most commonly known for its cultural experiences and waterfalls, putting it high on the ‘Vanuatu islands to visit’ list.

One of the most special spots on the island is the hidden Blue Cave. With glassy blue pools and refracted light, you can’t help but feel like a real-life mermaid. Make sure you pack snorkelling gear! The clarity is out of this world.

One of WAE’s Explorers Joel has written about this adventure in detail. But no matter where you stay, your host will be able to help you get there.

Espiritu Santo Island is a 50-minute flight from Port Vila (or a direct flight from Brisbane with Solomon Airlines!), and is much like Tanna, hosting an abundance of cultural experiences and natural wonders. However, not every island gets to claim the highest mountain in the country (and one of the highest in the whole of the Pacific!). Espiritu Santo does.

At 1,875m high, Mount Tabwemasana is a hard hike, a remote hike, and a secret one.

Few guides on the island can take you to its peak, and most of them live in the village of Kerepua. The elders have built a bungalow to encourage visitors to hike this great peak, and as per Vanuatu custom, they’ll welcome you with much enthusiasm. If the conditions are good, the hike to the top takes 2-3 hours. But don’t be fooled, the final leg of the climb is steep and precarious, and isn’t for the faint of heart.

Photo by Vanuatu Tourism Office

The best way to get to Mount Tabwemasana is by asking. Give yourself time. Get to Espiritu Santo and ask. Hop in the back of an ute tray and head to Kerepua. Ask a local if there’s someone available. You might have to wait a day. The adventure to the top of this mountain begins when you leave Port Vila, not when you put your first step on the trail.

Unparalleled Cultural Experiences

Talking about the enriching cultural experiences of an archipelago like Vanuatu is difficult. There’s such joy around the sharing of culture, such generosity. Being a good and respectful tourist is important. If you’re not sure about something (what you should wear, whether you can take photos, whether you can participate) the best thing you can do is ask.

Read more: How to Have a Cultural Escape on Vanuatu’s Outer Islands

This is not the place where you pay a fee to ‘see a show’ so you can ‘tick it off your list’ and go back to your cushy accommodation. This is about sinking into the culture of a place, and allowing that culture to lead you (rather than imposing your values onto it).

Expect to participate, expect to be delighted, expect to have your understanding of storytelling reshaped. Both Tanna and Espiritu Santo have several cultural experiences in the local villages.

Photo by Vanuatu Tourism Office

I wrote about how to have a cultural experience on Vanuatu’s islands. Wherever you stay and whatever island you’re on, your accommodation’s host will be able to direct you to a cultural experience. If you have the chance to see the Water Music Ladies on Gaua Island or the Fanla Rom Dance on Ambrym, take it!

A Note on Vanuatu’s Outer Islands

Vanuatu involves the style of backpacking of our parent’s generation. The outer islands are away from the nice resorts and air-conditioned hotel rooms. There’s often limited electricity and limited connectivity.

Read more: 10 Things to Know When Travelling Vanuatu’s Outer Islands

Photo by Vanuatu Tourism Office

This is the kind of place where you walk down a road, ask someone how to get to one of the waterfalls on the island, and they’ll take you to someone who can make it happen. It’s adventure in the true, unbridled sense.

You might be trekking up a volcano through torrential rain, water rushing past knee-high, cradling your backpack on your head. You might find yourself sitting in the home of a chief, sharing a bowl of kava.

These places are best explored on island time. You don’t need your spreadsheets of itineraries, and your A4 folders of print-outs. This is where you go, dig your feet into volcanic soil, and let the island take you.

The islands of Vanuatu are picturesque and rugged and beautiful. But these places also don’t see tourists very often, which means locals are thrilled to welcome you. The honeymoon experience can be found on the main island, but the outer islands are where you’ll experience the magic of chance and intuition, of adventure and true immersion in a country and culture.

The island asks you to be open to it, not the other way around.

Read more: How a Visit to Vanuatu’s Outer Islands Changed How I See the World

In the final days of my visit, I spoke with an old Vanuatu chief. We stood looking out at the brilliant blue ocean, with the faint outline of islands just beyond the horizon. He told me that a rich man once offered him a suitcase of cash for the island, to which he looked at the loose leaf paper, the currency, and laughed. You think I’ll trade this, for that? He laughed again, retelling the story.

Go to Vanuatu. Allow the locals to show you what they mean.

Once you arrive in Vanuatu, domestic flights can be taken to the outer islands via Air Vanuatu, which can be booked via email. For charter services to specific destinations and experiences, like overnight volcano trips and Naghol land diving, get in touch with Air Taxi and Unity. For ferry services around and between islands, contact Big Sista and Vanuatu Ferry.

Images by @ben.savage and @ainraadik