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Weather in Vanuatu
Volcano-diving and kava ceremonies in Melanesia
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About Vanuatu
Vanuatu erupts with active volcanoes and tribal kava ceremonies, its 83 islands scattered across the Pacific like a shaman's scattered bones. Tanna's Mount Yasur glows at night while kastom traditions remain stronger than colonial rule.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Language
English, Bislama, French
Things to do in Vanuatu
Dive active volcano crater
Participate in kava ceremony
Snorkel pristine reefs
Visit tribal villages
Fish and hunt with locals
Hike jungle trails
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
26C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
February
26C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
March
26C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
April
25C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
May
24C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
June
23C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
July
23C
Mild and comfortable, with regular rainfall.
August
23C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
September
24C
Mild and comfortable, with frequent heavy rain.
October
25C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
November
25C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
December
26C
Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.
Vanuatu scatters more than 80 islands across the South Pacific, each with its own dialect, custom and landscape, from the bubbling mud pools and kava bars of Port Vila to the active volcano on Tanna that glows red at night. Cultural ceremonies, including land-diving rituals that predate bungee jumping, sit alongside excellent wreck diving and remote villages still living close to traditional ways.
Best areas to stay in Vanuatu
Port Vila
The capital on Efate island, with markets, restaurants, kava bars and a busy harbour, plus the wreck of the SS President Coolidge nearby.
Tanna
Home to Mount Yasur, one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, plus traditional villages and black-sand beaches.
Espiritu Santo
Vanuatu's largest island, known for the Blue Holes freshwater swimming spots and the SS President Coolidge wreck dive.
Pentecost Island
Famous for the traditional land-diving ceremony (the origin of bungee jumping), held during the yam harvest season.
Getting to Vanuatu
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Flights
Fly into Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila, typically via Australia or New Zealand.
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From London
~28-34 hours from London including connections.
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Getting around
Local buses and minivans operate in Port Vila; inter-island travel is mostly by domestic flight or ferry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Vanuatu?
May to October (the dry season) is cooler and less humid, while the cyclone season runs roughly November to April.
Can I visit Mount Yasur on Tanna?
Yes — guided tours bring visitors to the rim of this highly active volcano on Tanna island, usually combined with a domestic flight from Port Vila.
Is Vanuatu expensive?
Imported goods and resorts can be costly, but local markets, kava bars and guesthouses offer more affordable ways to experience the islands.
What language is spoken?
Bislama, English and French are all official languages, with Bislama (a Melanesian pidgin) the most widely spoken across the islands.
What is kava?
A traditional drink made from the root of the kava plant, drunk socially in 'nakamals' (kava bars) and known for its mildly sedative effect.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Standing at the rim of Mount Yasur as it erupted every few minutes was terrifying and unforgettable in equal measure.
Esther K. · July 2023
★★★★☆
Diving the SS President Coolidge off Espiritu Santo was one of the best wreck dives we've ever done, with rooms and cargo still intact.
Liam F. · August 2024
★★★★★
Sharing kava with locals in a Port Vila nakamal at sunset was a real highlight, very welcoming and unlike anything else we did in the Pacific.
Naomi P. · September 2023
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