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Things to do in Port Vila

Our most recommended things to do in Port Vila

Port Vila: Island Tour, BBQ Lunch, and Swimming with Turtles

1. Port Vila: Island Tour, BBQ Lunch, and Swimming with Turtles

Your island adventure begins with pickup from your hotel or cruise ship and heads towards a stunning blue lagoon. Upon arrival, be amazed by the stunningly clear waters and the jaw-dropping beauty of this untouched island paradise. Next, experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim up close with sea turtles, and snorkel along one of the prettiest white sand beaches the island has to offer. From your expert guide, learn about how the hatchlings of Vanuatu's two main turtle species are collected from the wild and nurtured until they are released into the sea. For an extra cost, you can also swim with sharks and giant turtles in their rock enclosure for an incredibly special experience. After your swim, enjoy a very generous BBQ lunch serving up tender and juicy Vanuatu steaks, locally caught fish, chicken, sausages, salad, rice, and chips. Once you’re all full up from lunch, head to the Rarru Cascades where breathtaking views and an imposing waterfall await you. Afterwards, spend some free time to exploring on your own or head off for some duty-free shopping. At the end of the tour, enjoy drop-off back to your pickup destination or if you prefer, the wharf market.

Port Vila: Small Group Half-Day River Kayaking Tour

2. Port Vila: Small Group Half-Day River Kayaking Tour

Experience the serenity of kayaking down a gently flowing freshwater river, surrounded by lush tropical forest. Enjoy a cool dip, and have fun swinging on a tarzan rope. Discover the Rantepao River on Efate's East Coast as you paddle gently, accompanied by your experienced guide. Following pickup from your accommodation in Port Vila, relax on a 20-minute scenic drive to your start point. Follow your guide as you spend up to 2 peaceful hours seeing the rainforest of Vanuatu, passing by abundant wildlife and traditional villages. Paddle in a single or double kayak (with a guide if you prefer), with no strong currents on this stretch of river. Relax with a fresh fruit platter on the water's edge during your trip.

Bridges of Eden: 2-Hour Rainforest Walk, Swim, & Zip Line

3. Bridges of Eden: 2-Hour Rainforest Walk, Swim, & Zip Line

Combine zip lining, swimming, and forest walking on this 2-hour guided nature adventure at Bridges of Eden, a tropical garden paradise just 20 minutes from town.   Admire the flora and fauna of the riparian rainforest and take on the various suspended bridges – each one trickier than the next. Zoom down on a mini zip line and learn about your surroundings, all with the help of an experienced guide and with strict safety standards.  After the tour, cool off in the river and wander the gardens at your leisure. For the little ones, there's a playground and farm park on site. Enjoy tropical fruits and drinks during the tour, or purchase a tasty snack afterwards at the onsite café.

Efate: Full-Day Tour

4. Efate: Full-Day Tour

The first stop on your tour is Iarofa Village where you'll experience traditional local practices and skills including dancing and an amazing fire-walking display. Then discover the Blue Lagoon, a wonderful quirk of nature. The water is slightly salty and so blue from the mixing of the limestone fresh-water springs and the tidal sea water. Try the rope swings into the water. After the lagoon, visit Eton Village and Eton Primary School. Chat with the teachers and meet the pikininis (the students) or tour the school and gain an insight into how our children receive their learning. The students may perform a song for the guests or invite you to join them in a game of soccer or volleyball. Then stop by Pangpang to see the ancient banyan trees, before heading to a beach-side restaurant where you can enjoy a buffet lunch to live local string band music  After lunch, learn a little about the World War II history of Efate with Ernest. You'll hear his story and see his collection of unique World War II relics. Finally, visit Vanuatu's "Survivor Beach" at Gideon's Landing, which was the location for Season 9 of the hit American TV series, and enjoy afternoon tea (or coffee). If time permits, it may be possible to enjoy some snorkeling or swimming near the end of the tour.

Port Vila: Full-Day River Kayaking and Cascades Tour

5. Port Vila: Full-Day River Kayaking and Cascades Tour

Get picked up from your accommodation in Port Vila and set off on a scenic drive to the Rentapao River. Arrive at the local partner's exclusive kayak base in Vanuatu. Take some time to explore the onsite Garden of Eden upon arrival, and then get to know your guides and listen to a safety briefing.  Hop aboard your kayak and paddle down the river for two hours, experiencing Vanuatu's rainforest from a new vantage point. Get a feel for the everyday life of local villages as you pass by them. Cool off with a swim and then stop for lunch at a French bakery at the river's edge. Take a quick five-minute transfer to the Rentapao River cascades. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the river before reaching the final destination. Swim, relax, and take in the beautiful views at the cascades. Transfer back to your accommodation in Port Vila.

Mele Bay, Port Vila: Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

6. Mele Bay, Port Vila: Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

Start the tour with a free transfer from either of the 2 locations in Port Vila with transfers departing daily at 9 AM and 1 PM. Enjoy a 25-minute scenic drive in a 4WD Toyota Landcruiser up to the summit of Mele Bay. Marvel at breathtaking views right down to the harbor.  Arrive at the reception center to harness up and receive your safety briefing. When you're all set, embark on a 1.15-hour ziplining adventure as you zip from platform to platform. Glide high over the famous canyon and back with numerous incredible photo opportunities. Finally, return back to the reception center to retrieve your belongings from of the lockers, de-harness and get driven back to the starting point. Those who prefer not to zipline are able to pay for a Skybridge ticket and walk along the Skybridge to take photos of those zip lining underneath the Skybridge.

From Port Vila: Full-Day Nguna Outer Island Adventure

7. From Port Vila: Full-Day Nguna Outer Island Adventure

After pickup from your accommodation in Port Vila, head off on your choice of 1 of 2 morning walks. The Volcano Walk is a steep but rewarding hike, lasting 3.5 hours up the side of one of Nguna’s extinct volcanoes. Once atop the hulking mass of rock, take in sweeping views across the Shepherd Islands to the north, and south to Efate. If you’re in the mood for something less intense, choose the Environment Walk, perfect for families. Explore a community conservation area at Nguna’s smallest village, a fascinating mixture of old forest, historic relics, and community gardens.  After your morning walk, enjoy a sumptuous buffet lunch by the beach, gazing out across the crystal-clear seas as you dine. Afterwards, head into the ocean and snorkel Nguna’s famous marine conservation area. Expect lots of fish, maybe the occasional turtle, and plenty of hard corals and small canyons and crevasses to explore. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to your accommodation in Port Vila.

Port Vila: Full-Day Bus Hire with Driver

8. Port Vila: Full-Day Bus Hire with Driver

Your day of sightseeing and exploration begins with pickup in the morning from your hotel or port. Meet your professional driver as you board your own private minibus and discuss which sights and locations you’d like to visit. Then, sit back and relax as you travel from destination to destination. Spend the day exploring the island at your own leisure, without the hassle of taxis and public transport, or the pressure to keep up with a tour guide. Enjoy the freedom to spend more or less time at the locations that interest you most and the luxury of having your own private vehicle for an entire day. Our minivan can only accommodate for a maximum of 12 passengers. If you have more than 12 people in your group it is highly recommended that you make separate bookings.

Port Vila International Airport to Hotel Transfer

9. Port Vila International Airport to Hotel Transfer

These services are based in Port Vila. This is a one way trip which takes you from the Port Vila international airport to your hotel. Once you have reached the arrival lounge, just look out for your name on a sign, one of the local team members will be there waiting for you. The local driver will provide some commentary along the way to your hotel and should you have any questions or whatsoever, do let your driver know along the trip. This in not a private airport transfer so chances are that you will be sharing the vehicle with other people who have booked the same service as well.

Port Vila: Guided City Tour with Pickup

10. Port Vila: Guided City Tour with Pickup

See the best city sights and take a journey of discovery! Learn about the traditional villages of Port Vila, the chaotic British and French colonial history, and encounter Port Vila life today, as we finish the tour at the bustling Central Market and Mahitahi Handicraft Market (sells Vanuatu-made handicrafts only). Stops include lookouts, Parliament House, Council of Chiefs, Erakor landing, Independence Park as well as the market houses. The tour ends in town with a list of recommended shops and restaurants to discover plus public transport tips to get you home!

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What people are saying about Port Vila

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 37 reviews

My partner and I had such a great time on this tour. We came off a cruise ship and the tour guide picked us up from the dock and took us to every stop advertised while giving us lots of information about local life and buildings we went by. Our tour guide was happy to make a couple extra stops for drinks and duty free shopping before dropping us back at the cruise ship port. This was a great tour, good value and the guide was very friendly. I would definitely recommend yumi yours as an alternative to booking through the cruise line as this was the highlight of our trip. Thank you for the amazing experience

Amazing tour. Highly recommend it. The guide was exeptionally friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. the entire experience has totally exceeded our expectations. My teen aged kids absolutely loved everything as well, couldn't stop talking about this amazing experience. Blue lagoon rope jumps part was their absolute favourite. Fantastic lunch cooked by lovely local people. Fresh water falls....Everythying was just fantastic. Thanks you, beautiful people of Vanuatu. It has now become a special place for us. Thank you to the tour company organising it all.

The welcome dances were a treat, tour guides were delightful and the owner went out of her way to provide us with local information. The activity was exactly what was described and we enjoyed our swim and generous fruit platter.

Buggy ride was awesome and would recommend doing it .. turtles were great too . Food was very poor quality and cold while locals ate fresh with options ! Blue Lagoon is a great place amazing

Our guide Ricky was very informative about Vanuatu, had a great morning tea of fresh fruit and the turtles were great, they are in an enclosure, not out in the open waters