The nation comprises of 82 islands, and the quickest way from one to the other is by taking a flight. Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) and Santo-Pekoa International Airport (SON) are the two main international airports serving the country. There are 28 other domestic airports in the country that aid the tourists to get from island to island.
The cheapest time to visit Vanuatu is from November to March. As the water remains warm year around, people who are on a budget can enjoy snorkelling and diving with equal comfort. This is the low season because of a few more rainy days than usual and due to the fact that flow of Australian tourists is low since Australian schools have yet to go on their yearly breaks at this time of the year.
British citizens do not require a visa before leaving for Vanuatu and can remain in the country for 30 days on arrival. At the airport, the traveller needs to provide an ‘intention of return’, in the form of a return ticket.
The best time to visit Vanuatu is from April to October. This is when the skies are open above Vanuatu and the rainy days are few. Due to the tropical climate of the country, the temperature remains moderate and the water washing the beaches remains warm. The average temperature throughout the year ranges from 22°C to 28°C, so swimming is enjoyable 365 days a year.
Vanuatu is heaven for those who fantasize about living a life on the sea. If the lagoons and the open sea breeze do not convince you of that, maybe the shipwrecks and the exotic culture of the Ni-Vanuatu would make you feel like a seafaring voyager.
The festivals of the Ni-Vanuatu are rooted in their native cultures. The Nagol Land Diving Festival is a coming of age festival open to the tourists. The young Ni-Vanuatu men climb a wooden tower 20 to 30 metres high. Proving their bravery, they leap towards the ground; however, the vines clasping their ankles break their impact. The dancers keep shaking the ground at the annual Toka Festival in October. The festival sees all of the native communities of the many islands come to gather and dance nonstop for a day, ending the festival with an enormous meal.
Air Vanuatu has a small but efficient network of small planes connecting the many islands of the country. Keep your baggage small, to around 10 kilograms, when visiting the islands other than Efate and Espiritu Santo, since the luggage space on the aeroplanes would be limited. Ferries and boats are the way to go if you want to visit the country in a detailed manner. The ferries have a set route, touching island to island, but the schedules change and are set according to need. They can also be booked online.
There are many five star accommodations in Vanuatu. Most people, however, visit this archipelago to realign themselves with nature. Incasing yourself in luxury would hamper the healing process from the island’s energy. So choose wisely and re-energize yourself in Vanuatu!
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