5 Best Scenic Flights in Vanuatu

Experience the raw power of the Mt Yasur Volcano, Vanuatu's most iconic landmark and one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, with Unity Airlines. This unique adventure combines scenic flights and a 4WD safari experience at the optimum time to witness the lava.

Your journey begins with a spectacular one-hour flight to Tanna, offering breathtaking aerial views of Port Vila Harbour, South Efate and Erromango's stunning coastline.

Upon arrival, you'll embark on an exciting adventure to reach the crater rim, where you'll experience the incredible power of Mt Yasur volcano. The highlight is witnessing spectacular explosions of molten rock and ash while feeling the earth tremble beneath your feet.

Unity Airlines offers something truly unique with their Twilight tour; a magical twilight flight over the glowing volcano when the light of the lava is at its most spectacular. This exclusive experience is only possible because Unity Airlines operates with instrument-rated aircraft and instrument-rated pilots, allowing safe night flying.

With 23 years of operation and an unblemished safety record, Unity Airlines maintains the highest safety standards. Their experienced team and multi-engine aircraft fleet, including Piper PA-31-350 Chieftains and Britten Norman BN2 Islanders, can accommodate between four and eight passengers depending on weight restrictions.

After witnessing this natural wonder, you'll return safely to Port Vila, having witnessed one of Vanuatu's most spectacular natural wonders.

Another chance to experience Mt Yasur, Air Taxi makes seeing the legendary volcanic giant on Tanna LINK#D071 even easier, with a full-day tour and an overnight tour to choose from.

Choose between a day tour departing 7 am and returning 4:30 pm, or an overnight adventure starting at midday and returning the following morning. The experience begins with your scenic flight in a 9-seater Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, offering substantial windows with spectacular aerial views of this remarkable volcanic landscape.

Both tours also include a thrilling 4WD safari across the rugged island and guided tours to the crater's edge. The overnight option lets you witness the volcano's spectacular fireworks display at sunset and after dark, when the molten magma show is at its most breathtaking.

Tours require a minimum of five passengers before departure is confirmed. During low season, bookings are held provisionally until passenger numbers are met, with final confirmation typically provided two days before the scheduled flight. In high season (March onwards), bookings are typically confirmed immediately.

Your overnight adventure includes accommodation at Rockwater Resort or White Grass Resort, continental breakfast and all transfers, including hotel pickups within Port Vila.

Another stellar tour from Unity Airlines, witness the world's original bungee jump with this extraordinary Pentecost Land Diving Tour, available only between April and June.

The ancient Melanesian tradition of naghol sees local men and boys as young as seven diving headfirst from wooden towers up to 30 m (100 ft) high with only vines tied to their ankles.

This sacred fertility ceremony has been performed for centuries to ensure successful yam harvests and prove manhood. The spectacular event includes ritual washing, traditional kastom dances, chanting and ground-stomping ceremonies that create an unforgettable cultural experience.

Unity Airlines operates with a strong focus on safety, maintaining an excellent safety record over its 23 years of operation with no accidents.

With a fleet of five aircraft, including Piper PA-31-350 Chieftains and Britten Norman BN2 Islanders, Unity Airlines can accommodate between four and eight passengers depending on weight restrictions. Their multi-engine aircraft provide enhanced safety and comfort for the journey.

With all that in mind, your scenic flight departs Port Vila at 8:30 am, offering aerial views of lush jungles and coral reefs that create patterns in the ocean. Weather permitting, you'll enjoy a volcanic flyover of Lopevi, Marum and Benbow volcanoes before arriving at Lonorore for a traditional village welcome and to watch around six to 10 jumps.

After the incredible cultural experience, you'll be transported back to Port Vila - how easy was that?!

That's right, Air Taxi also offers a way to witness the breathtaking Naghol land diving ceremony, from April to June, with a scenic flight to this spectacular harvest ritual on the lush mountainous Pentecost Island.

Your scenic flight from Port Vila takes you over stunning Cook's Reef, past Lopevi Volcano's emerald slopes, and over Ambrym Island's twin smoking volcanic vents of Benbow and Marum (weather permitting). The high-wing aircraft ensures optimal viewing of these incredible sights during the 2 hr return journey.

This spectacular tour operates exclusively from April through July on Saturdays only, with a minimum of five passengers required before departure is confirmed.

Upon landing at south Pentecost Airport, you'll be transferred 20 minutes to the diving site where participants display increasing daring, jumping from progressively higher platforms. The death-defying spectacle culminates with leaps from the tower's very top, accompanied by enchanting kastom singing and dancing.

Hotel transfers within Port Vila are included in the tour package.

Finally, design your ultimate aerial adventure with private charter flights across Vanuatu's stunning archipelago. Both operators, Unity Airlines and Air Taxi, offer bespoke scenic flights tailored to your exact specifications, as does Belair Airways, another local option with scheduled and charter flights.

Unity Airlines operates modern multi-engine aircraft, including their modern Piper Chieftain, featuring air-conditioned comfort and enhanced safety for over-water flights. Their charter options include inter-island transfers, aerial photography missions and fully customised itineraries, with IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) capability ensuring flights can operate safely in all weather conditions and at night.

Air Taxi Vanuatu brings 20 years of local flying experience to the table, operating a fleet of twin-engine aircraft specifically selected for reliability and ruggedness. Their aircraft are maintained to the highest standards and designed to access Vanuatu's remote "bush" airstrips, opening up the entire archipelago for exploration.

Finally, Belair Airways focuses more on scheduled and charter flights, rather than scenic tours. However, the views are still unimaginable as you soar to some of the more remote regions of Vanuatu in a Britten Norman BN2 Islander aircraft, carrying up to nine passengers.

So, if you're seeking an intimate scenic flight for two or even planning a multi-day island-hopping adventure, these charter operators provide the freedom and flexibility to experience Vanuatu's breathtaking beauty from an entirely new perspective.

Again, head to our complete guide to Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights to learn more about charter flights.