A Guide to the Provinces of Vanuatu & the Best Islands to Visit

Starting with the main gateway to Vanuatu and where the international airport and capital city are located, the Shefa Province offers the most developed tourism infrastructure in the country, making it ideal for first-time visitors.

This province balances accessibility with island experiences, from cultural villages and waterfalls to snorkelling and offshore islets, which you can learn more about in the 50 Best Things to Do in Port Vila & Efate. It is also the easiest place to organise onward travel to other islands.

Main islands in Shefa Province:

• Efate LINK#D017 (home of Port Vila)
• Emae

Accommodation here is the most developed, consisting of resorts, hotels and B&Bs, some from international hotel chains. Take a look at Where to Stay in Port Vila & Efate: 50 Best Accommodations LINK#A060 for more ideas.

Start planning your trip to Efate and the Shefa Province with The Complete Travel Guide to Port Vila & Efate LINK#D017.

The southernmost province in Vanuatu, and located just south of Efate and the Shefa Province, Tafea is famous for its volcanoes and strong kastom culture, particularly on Tanna, where Mt Yasur erupts almost constantly. This province offers some of the most dramatic scenery in Vanuatu, along with deeply traditional village life.

The main island, Tanna, is well connected by scheduled and charter flights, as well as an infrequent ferry service, while travel to Tafea's other islands is slightly more challenging. Nevertheless, the experiences are unforgettable, especially for travellers interested in volcanoes and cultural encounters.

Main islands in Tafea Province:

• Tanna LINK#D071
• Erromango
• Aneityum
• Futuna
• Anatom

Tanna has a pretty developed tourism industry, especially with local operators running bungalows and unique treehouse stays in villages. There are also a couple of resorts. Learn all about your accommodation options in Where to Stay on Tanna: 20 Best Accommodations LINK#A081.

Plan your excursion to Tanna and the Tafea Province with The Complete Travel Guide to Tanna LINK#D071.

Sanma Province is one of the most popular regions for travellers and is centred around Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island. The province offers a mix of beautiful beaches, freshwater blue holes, jungle landscapes and important WW2 history.

Sanma is well-suited to travellers who want adventure and nature without sacrificing comfort. It has reliable domestic flights and ferry services, a good range of accommodation and some of the best snorkelling and diving in the country, which you can learn more about in the 30 Best Things to Do on Espiritu Santo.

Main islands in Sanma Province:

• Espiritu Santo LINK#D053
• Malo

As another tourism hub, and popular with expats, accommodation is mostly boutique resorts and hotels, as listed in Where to Stay on Espiritu Santo: 30 Best Accommodations LINK#A079.

For more about what to do, where to stay and how to get there in The Complete Travel Guide to Espiritu Santo LINK#D053.

Malampa Province is one of the most fascinating regions in Vanuatu, combining intense cultural diversity with rugged natural environments. The province is home to dozens of languages and some of the country’s strongest kastom traditions, most famously the Big Nambas and Small Nambas communities.

Travel here feels adventurous and unpolished. Facilities are basic, but experiences such as multi-day hikes, volcano trekking, cultural village visits, and remote beach stays make this province a standout for curious travellers. Make your bucket list from the 10 Best Things to Do on Malekula.

Main islands in Malampa Province:

• Malekula
• Ambrym
• Paama

All accommodation on these islands is local bungalows or even camping if you're doing a multi-day hike. Learn more about your options in Where to Stay on Malekula: 10 Best Accommodations LINK#A080.

And, of course, plan your trip to the main island of Malampa with The Complete Travel Guide to Malekula LINK#D035.

Penama Province is culturally rich and geographically dramatic, known for active volcanoes, dense rainforest and important traditional practices. Tourism here is small-scale, only really seeing action during the Noghol land diving season from April to June, while infrastructure is limited, but the rewards are significant for travellers interested in culture and raw landscapes.

This is the province where you will encounter practices such as land diving, which inspired modern bungee jumping, as well as some of the wettest and greenest islands in Vanuatu.

Main islands in Penama Province:

• Pentecost Island
• Ambae
• Maewo

For more about these islands, check out the 10 Less-Travelled Islands in Vanuatu LINK#TTD016.

Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu and one of the least visited parts of the country, made up of remote islands with strong kastom traditions and very limited tourism infrastructure. Travel here is slow, weather-dependent and best suited to confident travellers who enjoy cultural immersion and rural island life.

Torba Province is split into the Torres Islands in the far north, which include Hiu, Tegua and nearby islands, and the Banks Islands to the south, made up of Vanua Lava, Mota, Ureparapara and Gaua.

The province is known for traditional languages, subsistence living and a lifestyle that has changed very little over generations. Accommodation is usually basic, village-based and transport is not as frequent.

Main islands in Torba Province:

• Hiu
• Tegua
• Vanua Lava
• Mota
• Ureparapara
• Gaua

That's not to say that getting to Torba is impossible, and Sola on Vanua Lava is a Port of Entry for yachties, so it's still certainly accessible for those will to put in a bit of effort.

Again, you can learn a little more about these islands in the 10 Less-Travelled Islands in Vanuatu LINK#TTD016.

So, which island should you choose? From our experience, it really comes down to three things: how much time you've got, how comfortable you are with basic facilities, and what kind of adventure you're after.

Efate LINK#D017 is our top pick for first-time visitors. It's where you'll fly into anyway, and frankly, it makes everything easier. You'll find the widest range of accommodation (from budget to luxury), plenty of tours to choose from, and it's perfect if you're on a shorter trip or prefer having all the comforts close by.

Espiritu Santo LINK#D053 is where we send people who want that perfect balance of adventure and comfort. You'll love the world-class beaches, incredible blue holes, and some of the best diving in the Pacific. Plus, there are fascinating WW2 sites scattered around the island, and you won't have to rough it too much. There are good accommodation options and regular flights from Port Vila.

Malekula LINK#D035 rewards the curious traveller. If you're happy with simpler facilities and want to dive deep into local culture, this is your island. The hiking here, whether it's cross-island to remote kastom villages, or hopping on a boat to the nearby Ambae in the Penama Province, to hike over active volcanoes, is some of the best and most solitary in the South Pacific.

A much easier volcano and kastom culture alternative, Tanna LINK#D071 boasts a combination of natural drama and traditional life that creates one of the most memorable experiences you'll have in Vanuatu.

We're big fans of combining Efate with one or two outer islands, usually Santo or Tanna. This approach gives you the best of both worlds: comfort and adventure, modern conveniences and authentic culture, all in one trip.