19 Best Historical Sites in Vanuatu

Lining the shores of western Efate LINK#D017, as well as the offshore islands of Artok and Lelepa, Chief Roi Mata's Domain is where archaeologists have been able to line up oral stories with burial sites.

Step into the footsteps of legendary Paramount Chief Roi Mata on this community-run tour through Vanuatu's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This immersive experience takes you across three sacred 17th-century locations that tell the remarkable story of the chief who brought lasting peace to Efate and its surrounding islands. Your adventure begins at Roi Mata's mainland village, where you'll explore ancient stone remains once used for mystical rituals and witness a magnificent banyan tree that has stood sentinel for centuries.

From there, board a local boat to explore the mysterious cave on Lelepa Island before reaching the final destination: the mass burial site on Artok Island where Chief Roi Mata and his followers were laid to rest.

The full-day tour includes a delicious lunch featuring authentic Vanuatu dishes like laplap and simboro, while preserving oral traditions that have kept this sacred story alive for over 400 years.

Discover some of the best-preserved historical remains in Vanuatu, located on the beautiful Wala Island, through the "Wala Island Historical Tour" with Nawori Sea View Bungalows.

Your adventure begins with a short but scenic boat journey to the island's pristine sandy shores before venturing into the lush, bushy interior to explore ancient village ceremonial sites known as nasara. You'll visit the remains of four different namaki – ritualist rock formations that offer a captivating glimpse into traditional Pacific island culture.

The tour concludes with a traditional kava ceremony, providing an authentic cultural experience that connects you with local customs. For those who bring their own snorkelling gear, there's also access to vibrant underwater scenery at a particularly colourful snorkelling spot.

This cultural adventure can be enjoyed as a standalone half-day experience or combined with the full-day "Wala Island Tour" for a more comprehensive exploration.

This other fascinating nasara area can be explored with Nawori Seaview Bungalow through their dedicated "Cannibal Tour".

This unique historical journey requires just a one-hour walk from the bungalow to reach the culturally significant site, making it easily accessible for most visitors.

The tour explores the historical practice of cannibalism in the region and visits the namaki stones, whose particular formation is unique to central and north Malekula. You'll learn about the cultural context behind cannibalism, including how it was used as a form of sentencing, and discover the significance of the stone ceremonies that required extensive preparation involving pigs and yams over two to three years.

You'll see cooking areas where human bones remain, dug-out forts where warriors would once hide to protect their village, and the tour culminates at the chiefs' burial site, where skulls and conch shells mark the resting place of Malekula's leaders of the past.

This experience can be combined as part of the Wala Island Tours full-day experience or enjoyed as a separate tour that's conveniently accessible from the bungalows. Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent for this outdoor cultural adventure.

One of Vanuatu's most popular dive sites also happens to be a fascinating insight into the South Pacific's WW2 past.

The SS President Coolidge was a luxury liner turned war vessel that sank off the coast of Luganville when it hit a friendly mine.

This 200 m (656 ft)-long luxury liner turned warship offers an extraordinary underwater adventure with depths ranging from 18 to 45 m (59-148 ft), making different areas accessible to divers from Open Water to Deep certification levels.

The shipwreck houses remarkable wartime artefacts across its various compartments, including military jeeps, 30-foot cannons, medical supplies like morphine and codeine vials, the famous Lady Statue, and unique finds such as a barber's chair, doctor's equipment, and the ship's post office with original pigeonholes still intact. Advanced divers can explore penetration sites like the engine room with its massive machinery, gauges and levers, or navigate the A-B-C deck swim-through spanning multiple levels.

Marine life thrives throughout the artificial reef, with schools of flashlight fish creating magical displays during night dives as they flash like stars in the darkness. The wreck also hosts reef fish, barracuda, sea turtles, and during night missions, bioluminescent plankton illuminate the water around divers when torches are switched off.

Not too far from the SS President Coolidge, Million Dollar Point provides a much more accessible WW2 site that reef-walkers, snorkellers and scuba divers can enjoy.

In 1945, when French colonial authorities refused to buy surplus American military equipment at six cents on the dollar (thinking they'd get it for free), the Americans responded with remarkable pettiness. For two solid days, they dumped "millions" of dollars' worth of trucks, bulldozers, tractors, jeeps and even Coca-Cola bottles into the sea near Luganville.

Today, Million Dollar Point offers visitors the extraordinary sight of this underwater military graveyard just metres from shore. You can explore through snorkelling from the remains of the concrete wharf (which was blown up with dynamite after offloading the equipment), discovering everything from bulldozers to old wheels scattered across the ocean floor. Scuba diving with local operators reveals even more of the equipment pile beneath the surface.

Located just a five-minute drive from Luganville, the site also offers a pleasant sandy beach with typically calm and clear waters.

On a short but fascinating tour of a ceremonial site known as a nasara, Dram-Dram Bungalows takes travellers on a journey into Malekula's dark past.

The "Cannibal Tour" takes visitors through an authentic historical site where you'll encounter genuine artefacts, including the bones of a New Zealand man and traditional stone files once used for preparation.

The highlight of this unique tour is exploring the ancient nasara, a ceremonial area characterised by imposing large stones that were historically used for pig sacrifices.

Lasting less than an hour, this immersive experience provides an unfiltered look at Vanuatu's historical practices. Knowledgeable local guides share stories and insights that bring these ancient traditions to life, making this a truly memorable cultural encounter.

Guides can be arranged through Dram-Dram Bungalows, easily spotted with a green "Lawsinwe Kastom Forest Conservation" sign along the main road.

A pretty cool historical site if you have wised up on your WW2 history, Turtle Bay Airfield now hides among the lush greenery of east Santo.

Following its remarkable 20-day construction in July 1942, this strategic base grew to become the largest Allied airfield in the Pacific after Pearl Harbor, playing a crucial role in the war effort.

Immortalised in James Michener's prize-winning novel 'Tales of the South Pacific' and later adapted into the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'South Pacific', this historic site offers a fascinating glimpse into the South Pacific Theatre.

While nature has largely reclaimed the runway, you can still make out its outline from aerial views and at ground-level as you drive the road leading to Matevulu Blue Hole.

You would be right to think this impossibly straight bit of road, raised high in the Santo countryside, used to be an airstrip, wide and in better condition than most roads on the island.

This remarkable stretch of coral-cut road is the remnant of Luganville Airfield or "Bomber Field No. 3", a US Army base during World War Two.

When Santo became a crucial base for bomber operations in the South West Pacific, the 40th Battalion faced quite the challenge, carving a third airfield right out of Luganville's dense jungle.

The runway stretched 2,073 m (6,800 ft) long and 91 m (300 ft) wide, complete with 8,229 m (27,000 ft) of taxiway and 75 aircraft parking spots (thanks to the South Pacific WWII Museum for these measurements).

Furthermore, they completed this enormous undertaking in just 120 days, cutting through thick jungle to create a fully operational bomber base in under four months.

It's also where many of the vehicles and equipment dumped at Million Dollar Point were stationed.

Today, you can drive along this historic airstrip on the way to Nambel and Funaspef villages where the Millennium Cave Tour is located.

And one more WW2 airstrip to get you going, the Quoin Hill Airfield is the remnants of a former US military airstrip near Takara on Efate.

Built as part of a major American military build-up in the Pacific theatre, this historic site worked alongside facilities like Bauerfield (now Bauerfield International Airport) to provide crucial protection and logistical support for Allied operations.

According to locals, you can still make out the giant "USA" mounds that once marked this strategic location, though only the "U" remains clearly visible as the "SA" has been reclaimed by bush over the decades.

A quick glimpse of this piece of WW2 history is all you'll need as you wander along the old roads and dirt trails that weave through the area.

Hidden along the roadside of one of Vanuatu's most French-influenced islands, a historical site awaits some of the more determined history buffs.

The French Missionary Graves consist of approximately 20 weathered stone graves, each marked with a white French flag, commemorating what are believed to be the first French missionaries to arrive on Malekula. While road construction unfortunately passed through the cemetery site, these historical markers persist as a testament to the island's strong French heritage, evident today in the fact that most locals speak French as their second language.

Though now partially concealed beneath overgrowth and branches, these graves offer a unique glimpse into Vanuatu's missionary past for those willing to venture off the beaten path.

Scattered across Santo's countryside, these fascinating US bunkers from World War Two offer a glimpse into the island's wartime history.

Originally built as military shelters, these corrugated iron structures now dot the landscape of cattle fields and provide emergency cyclone refuges for communities.

The bunkers are cleverly camouflaged with grass-covered roofs, making them blend seamlessly into the pastoral landscape beneath shady trees.

Scattered throughout the countryside on the road to Fanafo, the bunkers are commonly included in Santo Heritage Tours' "Mt Hope Waterfall Tour" and "WW2 History Tour".

Perhaps more famously in Fanafo is the tomb of Jimmy Stevens, the charismatic leader who advocated for Espiritu Santo's independence in 1980.

Known as "Moses" to his followers, Stevens spearheaded the Nagriamel Movement and briefly established the "State of Vemerana" before the revolt was crushed by Papua New Guinean troops.

To see the tomb, you must ask permission at the family house and can admire the star decorations adorning the ground; symbols reflecting the movement's logo and proposed flag.

Accompanied by a family member, you'll walk to the impressive grave site decorated with the distinctive blue and white star emblem. The tomb stands as a powerful reminder of Santo's brief bid for independence and Stevens' complex legacy as a Ni-Vanuatu nationalist.

Discover a fascinating piece of World War Two history scattered along the shores between Lamap and Lenukh.

Two Chinese aircraft engines from a WW2 plane lie in plain sight on the beach, creating an unexpected and captivating historical attraction that's completely free to explore.

You can walk right up to these remarkably well-preserved engines and examine the intricate mechanical details that remain visible after decades of exposure to the elements. Nature has begun to reclaim these wartime relics, with the odd plant now growing directly out of one of the engines.

The engines are easily spotted from the main road as you approach the landing point for the Maskelyne Islands, making them a convenient and memorable stop during your coastal journey.

Discover two historical artefacts that tell the fascinating stories of the South Pacific's maritime past.

The recovered anchor from L'Astrolabe, one of the most famous ships in Pacific history, carries with it the mystery of the ill-fated 1785 French expedition led by navigator Lapérouse. After disappearing without trace following their departure from Botany Bay in 1788, the expedition's fate remained unknown for 40 years until trader Peter Dillon discovered a wreck using information from locals in Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands.

This anchor was recovered by a New Hebrides expedition in 1958 and presented to the Vanuatu Cultural Centre by Pierre Anthoniaz, then French Resident Commissioner.

Alongside this maritime mystery sits a whaling pot from Cronstedt Freeman station, representing Vanuatu's first commercial industry that lasted until 1870. These pots were used to boil whale blubber to extract oil for export, and this particular example was collected by local historian Reece Discombe from Aneityum Island and donated to the centre in the late 1970s.

The historic MV Betsy Ross FS 313 offers a unique glimpse into Vanuatu's World War Two heritage, clearly visible from the road.

Although it was not sunk at its current location during World War Two, it has ended up abandoned on the beach after it was first abandoned in Port Vila harbour after it came to provide relief supplies in the aftermath of Category 5 cyclone Pam in 2015.

The vessel is now perched on Shark Bay in the Eratap area and can be seen from the road on the way to Touma. Otherwise, get a closer view on the beach of Shark Bay on the "Bush Walk" tour with Vanuatu Eco Tours.

This WW2 ship participated in major Pacific battles including Guadalcanal, Papua New Guinea, Guam and Okinawa, earning two Battle Stars before the war's end.

Not a "historical site" per se, but the collection of artefacts from across Vanuatu's islands makes the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, also known as the "National Museum", a must for anyone wanting to dive into the archipelago's history.

Housed in a stunning traditional building right across from the parliament, the museum beautifully displays its collection of traditional artefacts, including tamtam (slit drums), outrigger canoes, ceremonial headdresses, shell jewellery and examples of Lapita and Wusi pottery.

The museum features several fascinating displays that bring Vanuatu's history to life. Look out for the striking painting depicting Vanuatu's first animals, and the powerful blackbirding display documenting the tragic period when people from Queensland kidnapped Ni-Vanuatu people. The sacred headdresses from Malekula LINK#D035 are particularly impressive – these ceremonial pieces were traditionally worn when electing or promoting leaders.

The guided tours are definitely worth considering, with knowledgeable staff available to help visitors understand the cultural significance of the displays. When cruise ships arrive, the museum also hosts extended presentations in its dedicated area, such as sand drawing demonstrations that used to be as communication between communities.

Located right in the entrance hall, the museum shop is a treasure trove with an excellent selection of exclusive gifts, carved souvenirs, locally designed t-shirts, posters and books. All proceeds support the museum's ongoing collection development.

The Vanuatu Cultural Centre is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, with Saturday hours from 9 am to 12 pm.

In the same vein as the point above, a look at some tangible relics from the past is possible at the ever-expanding South Pacific WWII Museum in Luganville.

Your visit kicks off with the museum's significant location in Unity Park, where tranquil coconut plantations were once transformed into the largest military base in the South Pacific during World War Two. Between 1942 and 1945, around half a million personnel passed through Espiritu Santo on their way to and from the front lines.

This small museum preserves its legacy, showcasing the world's largest collection of SS President Coolidge artefacts, including the ship's bell and main whistle. The extensive displays feature authentic memorabilia recovered from Santo: uniforms, hats from various military branches, weapons, gas masks, eating utensils, and instructional pamphlets from the war era. A door from the USS Strong shipwreck adds to the maritime history, while detailed dioramas recreate the seaplane bases and bomber airfields that once dominated the landscape.

Wall displays share stories of significant military figures and local wartime history, including tales of the infamous Dancing Bear Club that operated on Luganville's Main Street. The collection also includes a "Culture Corner" with indigenous Lapita pottery, connecting the island's ancient heritage with its pivotal role in Pacific military history.

Another museum-like attraction for those of you only visiting the main island, Efate, but don't want to miss out on the WW2 action, the World War II Memorabilia Mini-Museum is an unofficial collection of artefacts that's worth a quick peruse.

This heartfelt tribute to Vanuatu's WW2 history feels more like visiting a passionate friend than a traditional museum. Open daily from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, this intimate one-room collection showcases evocative wartime memorabilia lovingly curated by local Mark, who continues his grandfather's remarkable 40-year collecting legacy with genuine enthusiasm and deep knowledge.

You'll discover fascinating artefacts recovered from local reefs and wrecks, including Mark's prized recent finds like the guns he discovered in 2017. The museum's charm lies in its personal touch and unique stories, particularly the impressive collection of American Coca-Cola bottles that Mark's grandfather specialised in gathering. Each bottle bears different city and state names on the bottom, from New York to Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Eureka, California, creating an unexpected window into wartime America.

Mark's passion for preserving his country's history is palpable, and his intimate knowledge of each piece's origin makes every visit captivating. Whether you're circumnavigating Efate or staying in the Havannah area, this grassroots museum offers a deeply personal glimpse into Vanuatu's wartime past that you'll struggle to find elsewhere on Vanuatu's main island.

Home to its own nasara and namagi stones, as well as historical relics, the Malekula Cultural Centre is a no-brainer for those seeking history.

This cultural gem has a significant focus on the legacy of Darvall Wilkins, the British District Agent who transformed an overgrown coconut plantation into what became the administrative heart of Malekula in 1963.

The centre offers visitors an immersive journey through Vanuatu's colonial period and path to independence, featuring exhibits about Wilkins' extraordinary 20-year service and his deep connection to the local community. The exhibits highlight the transformation of Lakatoro from wilderness to a bustling district station that housed over 250 families by 1971, complete with schools, markets and the popular Metmet Club.

Beyond the Darvall Wilkins tribute, museum-goers can check out historical outrigger canoes, headresses from the Small Nambas and other historical tools and weapons once used (and some still are) by Malekula's kastom communities.

Outside, don't miss the tomb of Darvall Wilkins, who was buried next to some significant ceremonial (nasara) stones.

The Malekula Cultural Centre is open from 8 am to 12 pm, then 1 pm to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Note that there is a very small entry fee.