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& Torres /
Erromango
/ Espiritu
Santo /
Pentecost
& Maewo /
Ambrym
/ Malekula
/ Epi
/ Efate
/ Tanna
/ Aneityum
A series of earthquakes 22 million years ago pushed up masses of earth from under the sea. Gradually an archipelago of 83 coral and volcanic islands emerged and came to be Vanuatu (meaning 'rising land'). This island nation in the Western Pacific is characterized by volcanoes, mountains, tropical rainforests, black and white sand beaches, lagoons, and fringing coral reefs surrounded by warm turquoise water.
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Local shipping companies service various islands and some of them take passengers on an irregular basis.
Volcanoes: Vanuatu is situated along an active volcanic line which causes
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frequent earth tremors. Many of them occur during the night and go unnoticed unless you are sleeping on the ground.Vanuatu has nine active volcanoes: The Yasur on Tanna is easily accessible, while Mt Benbow, Mt Marum on Ambrym and Mt Garet on Gaua require some bushwalking. Two underwater volcanoes are near the Island of Epi. The opportunity to see these active volcanoes makes a visit to Vanuatu worth any airfare from anywhere in the world. |
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Vanuatu's volcanoes are considered the most accessible in the world. Most of them can be visited in safe conditions and they are continually monitored.For more detailed information about Vanuatu's volcanoes see http://www.
Climate: South-east trade winds bring warm tropical weather throughout the year. Cyclones may occur between November and April. Occasional tropical showers occur between January and April with high humidity. Cooler and more pleasant weather follows in May through November. Swimming , snorkeling and diving are excellent year round.
The sea temperature never drops below 25ºC.
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Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
April |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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rain days |
16 |
14 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
9 |
11 |
9 |
12 |
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Temp C |
28 |
29 |
28 |
27 |
26 |
25 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
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Humidity |
75 |
82 |
80 |
75 |
75 |
75 |
73 |
73 |
71 |
71 |
70 |
72 |
History: Melanesian people migrated from Asia via Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands around 5 000 years ago, sailing in outrigger canoes and bringing with them pigs, dogs, yams and taro and a unique culture.
First European contact was made in 1606 by Ferdinand de Quiros who landed at Big Bay in Santo. He was followed by Bougainville in 1768, Cook in 1774, La Pérouse in 1788, Bligh in 1789, d'Entrecasteaux in 1793.
Whalers, blackbirders, missionaries (of various denominations) and planters established settlements almost everywhere in the archipelago during the 19th century.
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They brought with them numerous diseases causing a dramatic reduction in population from an estimated 1 million in the early 1800's, to 41 000 in 1935. During the second World War, Vanuatu was the rear base of the Allied forces against the Japanese, causing an enormous influx of foreigners. American soldiers and equipment poured into Efate and Santo, where over 100 000 servicemen were garrisoned. |
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The famous Anglo-French Condominium of the New Hebrides was established in 1906 and governed the country until Vanuatu gained its independence in 1980.
Population: Vanuatu is inhabited by about 160,000 people. Over 75% are melanesian (ni-Vanuatu), living in harmony with British, French, Chinese, Vietnamese and other South Pacific island people. Over 115 different languages and cultures make Vanuatu one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse countries in the world. Official languages are English, French and Bislama (pidgin English).
Custom and Culture:
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Traditional life in Vanuatu was characterised by a constant and ongoing cycle of ritual events. Every stage of an individual's life was celebrated, and the occasions of birth, initiation, the achievement of positions of status, marriage and death are still major events in a community's social life today. Festivities to celebrate the annual yam harvest (around July and August) have always been significant. Creative and artistic expression was most concentrated as part of the ritual cycle, and the items made to be used in these ceremonies remain some of the most visually impressive pieces of Vanuatu's artistic heritage. Songs, dances and other forms of expressive performance were also integral to the cycle of life and its accompanying ritual observances. |
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Malekula - S.W. Bay Chief |
Pigs are a measure of wealth throughout most of the islands and are a part of many ceremonies. The most prized pig is the male with curled tusks. The upper canines are
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removed allowing the tusk to grow into a curl, a process taking up to 14 years. Pigs are used to pay for grade taking rights, penalty payment for breaking tabu, for trade and as gifts for marriage, death, circumcisions, initiations, etc. Ultimately the pigs are ritually killed by high ranking men and the curled tusk is worn by these men as a status symbol. Ni-Vanuatu people can trace their lineage back for countless generations and indeed, chiefs can be considered as noblemen. Meeting traditional chiefs is a special opportunity to experience a unique form of wisdom, honour and kindness. |
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Listening to the stories shared around a shell of kava during a quiet evening under the palm fronds will fill you with an indescribable peacefulness. Many visitors have commented on how such experiences have brought entirely new perspective to their lives.
Visiting our island bungalows offers you a rare chance to witness and participate in authentic cultural events and genuine custom ceremonies. You will have the opportunity to see custom dances performed according to ancestral rules and traditions. You will be shown historical villages and sacred sites by our local guides.
Discover the treasures of magic and fire with our tour operators: Add to the excitement of discovering a unique culture, the peaceful experience of authentic village life.
The village way of life is unhurried and relaxed and has remained essentially unchanged for centuries. Women generally tend to the gardens and animals, look after the children, prepare food and weave traditional baskets and mats. Men also work the gardens, collect and process copra, and spend evening hours gathered in the nakamal planning ceremonies or socialising while drinking kava. Check out our tour operator's page.
Accommodation Standards: Apart from the mainstream hotels in Port Vila and Luganville, the small rural establishments available through Island Safaris are community or family operated lodges and bungalows. What is named a "bungalow" in Vanuatu's outer islands is generally a small bush cabin built from local materials. Many do not have electricity, telephones or other familiar hotel amenities. However, while very basic in their facilities, the accommodations are tidy and peaceful. See details on our accommodation page
Food and Beverages: Traditional food of Vanuatu is lap lap, a pudding made from grated manioc,yam, taro or cooking banana topped with fresh coconut milk
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and island cabbage, chicken, fish or pork. It is then wrapped in banana leaves and baked in an underground oven (uma). Fish can be found in many places and is delicious when freshly caught and barbecued. Bunya is a traditional recipe where a mix of meat and vegetables is wrapped in a special leaf and cooked in the earth oven. Tuluk is another delicacy of grated manioc stuffed with meat, wrapped in a leaf and cooked in the earth oven. |
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Fresh fruit and local nuts are available year round, including bananas, papaya, limes and coconuts. Mangoes, grapefruit, mandarins, pineapples, guava and others unique to the islands are available seasonally.
The traditional drink is kava, made from the the root of a pepper shrub (piper methysticum).
Soft drinks and sometimes beer are available in most places, but you are advised to take with you any of your favorite drinks.
Practical information: The vatu is the national currency, although pigs, shells and special mats are still used as currency in some areas of Vanuatu.
For most visitors, a visa is granted upon arrival for one month and the Immigration office in Port Vila (Tel 22354) can extend it up to 4 months.
Car hire is only available on Efate and Santo and transport can turn into quite an adventure in some islands when the only available pick-up is "bagarap" (broken down). Island Safaris ensures that the bungalow operator provide reliable transfers.
Credit cards are only accepted in the main hotels in Port Vila and Luganville. If travelling to the islands, you will need to change your currency into vatu before departure.
The Vanuatu telephone system is excellent where available. Some of Island Safaris members do not have this facility available, however a telephone or a radiotelephone will always be easily accessible in case of emergency.
A torch will be useful for reading and night walks. Good walking shoes will help you enjoy bush walks. Although all our bungalows are fitted with mosquito nets, a good supply of mosquito repellent and long sleeve garments are advisable.
For more tips and useful information see the National Tourism Office website
