Just under three hours’ flying time from Australia’s east coast, Vanuatu remains one of the most underrated destinations in the South Pacific portfolio. Spread across 83 islands and six provinces, it feels far more remote than its short flight time suggests, with untouched wilderness, pristine oceans and rugged natural beauty that make for a real change of pace from more built-up Pacific hubs. Clients can walk jungle tracks on rarely visited islands, sample an emerging renaissance in island cuisine known as kai kai, and choose from accommodation ranging from boutique small resorts to holiday homes and locally run bungalows.
Add in reef snorkelling, historic wreck dives, deep-rooted kastom (custom) and the chance to simply tok tok (talk) with locals, and Vanuatu offers a genuinely varied itinerary well beyond the typical beach break. With Vanuatu Tourism Office launching a new agent training platform, Welkam Vanuatu, now is a timely moment for Australian agents to build their destination knowledge and convert more South Pacific enquiries into bookings.
Who goes to Vanuatu
Vanuatu Tourism Office describes its core audience as “Experience Collectors” – free-spirited Australian travellers drawn to meaningful moments over a straightforward beach holiday. Agents can expect interest from three main client groups: midlife couples and empty nesters, families (including multi-generational groups), and younger couples. All three are drawn to the chance to immerse in kastom, connect with locals, explore volcanic landscapes and enjoy island time at their own pace, alongside a mix of soft and harder adventure options.
How to get to Vanuatu
Getting to Vanuatu from Australia is straightforward. Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia all operate direct flights from Brisbane and Sydney to Port Vila, while Solomon Airlines flies direct from Brisbane to Espiritu Santo. From there, Air Vanuatu connects travellers on to the outer islands. Total flying time from Australia’s east coast is less than three hours, making Vanuatu one of the more accessible options in the South Pacific for a long weekend or a stopover.
Top things to do in Vanuatu
Vanuatu’s appeal lies in its range, from soft adventure and cultural immersion to serious adrenaline. Here is what agents should be recommending to clients.
Climb Mount Yasur
On the island of Tanna, Mount Yasur is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, giving visitors the rare chance to stand near a live eruption without a serious expedition. It is one of the destination’s strongest adventure credentials and a genuine point of difference from other Pacific islands, where volcanic activity of this kind is rarely so easy to reach. For agents, it is a straightforward way to sell a bucket-list moment to clients who want their Vanuatu holiday to include something they cannot experience at home, whether that is a family wanting a memorable day trip or a couple looking to build a sense of real adventure into an otherwise relaxed itinerary.
Swim the blue holes of Espiritu Santo
Riri, Malo, Matevulu and Nanda are among the crystal-clear freshwater swimming holes on Espiritu Santo, each set within thick jungle and fed by natural springs. They offer a slower, more contemplative counterpoint to the reef and ocean activities elsewhere on the island, and suit clients who want to build downtime into an otherwise active itinerary. Because several of the blue holes sit close together, agents can package a half-day loop that takes in more than one, giving clients variety without adding significant travel time between stops.
Dive historic wrecks
Espiritu Santo is also home to some of the Pacific’s best wreck diving, including the SS President Coolidge and Million Dollar Point, both well known among divers internationally. The wrecks sit at a range of depths, which gives agents scope to sell the experience to both certified divers chasing a serious dive holiday and less experienced clients keen to try something new. It is a strong point of difference for Vanuatu within the wider South Pacific, where accessible, high-profile wreck sites of this calibre are less common, and it gives agents a clear angle for clients who have already ticked off more conventional Pacific dive destinations.
Visit Champagne Beach
This Espiritu Santo beach fizzes at low tide due to volcanic activity, a genuine novelty that sets it apart from the many white-sand beaches across the South Pacific. Its clear, calm water and dramatic natural setting make it an easy stop to package alongside other Espiritu Santo activities such as the blue holes or wreck diving, and it photographs well, which matters for clients who want a standout image from their trip. It is a reliable inclusion for almost any itinerary, from families after an easy beach day to couples looking for a scenic stop between more active experiences.
Experience kastom villages
Cultural encounters in traditional kastom villages give travellers insight into island traditions that differ from one island to the next, offering genuine cultural exchange rather than a staged performance. This is central to Vanuatu’s appeal for the Experience Collector traveller, who is drawn to meaningful engagement over a purely resort-based holiday. Because kastom and customs vary so widely between islands and provinces, agents can position a kastom village visit differently depending on the itinerary, giving repeat visitors to the South Pacific a genuinely new cultural experience rather than a repeat of what they may have seen in other island destinations. In many of these villages, you can witness the incredible tradition of sand drawing. Vanuatu’s UNESCO-listed sand drawings are a unique cultural tradition, created by tracing intricate patterns in sand with one continuous line. More than art, each drawing tells a story, shares knowledge and connects generations to Vanuatu’s rich Melanesian culture.
Snorkel pristine reefs
Vanuatu’s reefs and marine sanctuaries remain largely untouched, appealing to clients seeking an alternative to more heavily visited Pacific dive and snorkel spots. The condition of the marine environment is a genuine selling point in its own right, particularly for clients who have snorkelled busier reef systems elsewhere and are looking for something quieter and less developed. Snorkelling is also one of the more accessible activities on this list, suiting families and less experienced travellers alongside clients who are combining it with more serious diving elsewhere in the country.
Get active
For clients wanting more adrenaline, ziplining, buggy tours and cave hiking are all on offer across the islands, giving agents a ready answer for travellers who want their South Pacific holiday to include more than time by the pool. These activities work well for younger couples and more active families, and they round out an itinerary that might otherwise lean heavily on water-based or cultural experiences. Positioned alongside Vanuatu’s volcano and dive offerings, they help make the case that Vanuatu is a genuine adventure destination rather than a purely relaxation-focused one.
Browse the local markets
Local markets sell fresh produce, Vanuatu Made handicrafts and island dishes such as laplap and tuluk, giving clients an easy, low-cost cultural experience that fits into almost any itinerary. A market visit is a simple way for agents to build in exposure to Vanuatu’s emerging island cuisine scene and its local craftspeople without requiring a full day or additional bookings. It also gives clients a straightforward way to bring home something authentic, supporting local producers and artisans in the process.
Share kava at a nakamal
A visit to a local nakamal for kava tasting is one of the most authentic ways for travellers to connect with the local community. Kava holds a central place in Vanuatu’s kastom, and sharing it at a nakamal gives clients a genuine, low-key way to spend time with locals rather than observing from a distance. It suits clients who have expressed an interest in cultural immersion over the course of their trip, and works well as an evening addition once the more active parts of the day are done.
Watch a fire show
Fire shows are a popular evening addition for clients wanting a cultural performance to round out their stay. They work well paired with a local meal or a nakamal visit, giving agents an easy way to build a fuller evening itinerary rather than leaving clients to fill the time themselves. For families and groups in particular, a fire show is a memorable, easy-to-book inclusion that adds a sense of occasion to the final nights of a Vanuatu holiday.
When is the best time to visit Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a year-round destination. From April or May through to October, temperatures sit between 18°C and 28°C, making this the easiest period to sell for classic touring and outdoor conditions. November and December are warmer, while January to March is hot, at 26°C to 34°C, and prone to rain and cyclones. That wet season is also low season, so it can be a good time to point value-conscious clients toward travel deals.
Why agents should sell Vanuatu
Vanuatu is positioning itself for growth from the Australian market through 2026 and beyond, and there are several reasons for agents to put it in front of clients now. Its kastom is diverse, with distinct traditions, history and beliefs across its islands and provinces. The people are consistently cited as a highlight of any visit, with a reputation for warmth and hospitality toward Australian visitors. The destination also offers more than a resort stay: alongside relaxed, barefoot-style accommodation, it delivers genuine cultural experiences and untouched natural environments. For clients after adventure, the range runs from volcano climbs and reef dives to rainforest exploration, with options to suit both soft-adventure travellers and those chasing something more demanding.
How to book and learn more about Vanuatu
Vanuatu Tourism Office has launched Welkam Vanuatu, a new and free training platform designed to give agents the latest destination knowledge and sales tools. The platform includes four training modules covering Vanuatu’s key selling points, along with fact sheets, destination maps and ready-to-use itinerary suggestions. Agents who register also gain direct connections with destination management companies and local partners, along with access to self-famil opportunities, giving them the tools and firsthand experience to sell Vanuatu with confidence.
With new training resources now available and Vanuatu positioning for further growth in the Australian market, there has never been a better time for agents to build their destination expertise and start directing more South Pacific business toward this close, accessible island nation.
