From isolated beaches to active volcanoes, this South Pacific island nation has them all.
Only a three-hour flight away from Sydney lies the stunning 80-plus archipelago of Vanuatu. There, you can find anything and everything the inner-wanderer in you desires – think remote islands, traditional culture and pristine diving sites.
Suffice to say, Vanuatu is a paradise that has to be on your travel bucket list – as well as on your Instagram feed.
Here are 10 places in Vanuatu which will make your Instagram (and life) the envy of all of your followers.
Mount Yasur
An explosive way to start off your vacation is a trip to Mount Yasur.
You can get within 150 metres of the active volcano’s crater rim by walking. First, jump on the back of a 4WD across the volcanoes’ otherworldy ash plains; then hike up the side of the volcano to stare Mother Earth in the face.
Once there, you can peer down into the fiery lava storm, giving you photo ops to set your IG feed on fire.
P.S. Don’t forget to bring a postcard to drop at Volcano Post, the world’s only postbox located on top of a volcano.
Tamanu on the Beach and Spa
Vanuatu is its own slice of heaven, but if you’re looking for that extra step up, you’ll want to head to Tamanu on the Beach. Set on its own white sand private beach, Tamanu offers a selection of luxury French Caribbean style villas with all amenities within arms reach.
On the water, surrounded by beautiful fine sand, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting you’re only 20 minutes away from the town of Port Vila.
Tamanu on the Beach isn’t just a villa getaway, though. There is also Tamanu Spa, offering a range of relaxing treatments and utilising a range of vegan-friendly tropical spa products.
The Blue Lagoon
On the island of Efate, you can find a haven where #nofilter is needed.
Named the Blue Lagoon, the swimming hole comes in the most stunning shade of blue you’ve ever seen.
And if this lagoon leaves you wanting more, it’s actually not the only one! On Espiritu Santo island, there are several lagoons referred to as Blue Holes, which also boast unparalleled blue waters.
Millennium Cave
For thrill seekers, Millennium Cave, on the island of Santo, offers a breathtaking trek through the jungle.
The adventure takes you across creeks, along bamboo bridges, inside an underground river, before finally, through a canyon flanked by waterfalls. Amazingly, you can now fly direct from Australia to tropical Santo.
Sounds incredible? It looks even more so in pictures.
Jungle Zipline
Fear of heights? No worries. Conquer them in style at Vanuatu’s Jungle Zipline, a thrilling high wire activity in Port Vila. While securely strapped in, you’ll careen over the canopy of the Vanuatu jungle, admiring the stunning views over Mele Bay in the process.
The Blue Cave of Tanna
A must-visit when you’re on the island of Tanna, the Blue Cave rewards those who explore its passageways.
Hop on a boat, grab a snorkel, and make your way through the seaside cave. At one point you’ll have to duck under a small ledge, but it’s well worth it to be treated to the gorgeous cavern on the other side.
Giant Banyan
In most places, you can climb a tree, but in Vanuatu, you can actually go inside a tree.
The Giant Banyan located in the nearby villages of Leitouapam on Santo is said to be one of the largest trees in the world. It’s so big that you can slide between its thick limbs and stand (or climb) inside its hollow centre.
Fun fact: Banyans are a type of strangler fig that grows by wrapping itself around a host tree. Eventually, the fig takes over and the host tree dies, which leads to the tree rotting away to ‘reveal’ the Banyan’s hollow core.
Land Diving
Before millennials began throwing themselves off bridges for extreme bungee jumps, there was land diving. Found in the south of Pentecost Island, Vanuatu, land diving is a ritual in which people jump from 20 to 30-metre tall wooden towers.
Arguably the most extreme sport of the modern world, those brave souls taking part tie vines around their ankles before they jump, replacing the elastic bungee rope with a material from the natural world.
Although this is now a ritual dominated by men, it was not always the case.
The story behind land diving involves a woman tying lianas to herself and jumping from tree, knowing she was being followed by her husband, who subsequently jumped without vines and died.
The ritual is celebrated in April, May, or June, as it’s associated with the annual yam harvest – a good dive ensures a good yam harvest that season.
It’s a ritual not to be missed, with hundreds of spectators heading to Pentecost Island each year to watch the men of the island throw themselves from the wooden poles.
Basically every resort in Vanuatu
There’s no shortage of beautiful accommodation in Vanuatu.
From quaint seaside bungalows to cottages with private pools to world-class villas on stilts, there’s a place for every traveller to unwind, giving you the chance to choose your best #HomeAwayFromHome pics.
The local cuisine
What’s a vacation without capturing a few #FoodPorn photos?
In Vanuatu, you’ll be spoiled silly with Instagrammable food choices, such as a bowl of fruit by the sea, a glass of tropical fruit punch during sunset, or a seafood buffet as you watch Port Vila’s own fire dancers.
Pro tip: Try their national dish, a baked pudding called “laplap”!
Hideaway Island
Make a splash on Instagram with photos of this little beauty.
Around 100 metres offshore from Mele Beach, Hideaway Island is a favourite amongst divers and snorkelers for its incredible marine life, as well as the home of the world’s only underwater post office.
And last but not the least, the locals
Honestly, the best part of Vanuatu, alongside the pristine beaches and the lush rainforests, is its people.
Described as warm and caring, the Ni-Van will always greet you with a smile and are quick to make you feel at home. The Ni-Van were voted the fourth happiest people in the world.
A trip to nearby Vanuatu would not be complete without meeting a local or two.
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