5 Best Things to Do on Malekula

One of Malekula's iconic cultural experiences, the Small Nambas at Rano is a tour not to be missed!

Chief Amedee guides you through authentic tribal rituals and living customs preserved for generations. This immersive cultural experience, organised by one of the last Small Nambas kastom schools, showcases the fascinating traditions of the Nemi Gortien Ser (Spirit of Unity) people through hypnotising tamtam beats and vibrant dances.

The entire village participates in this two-hour journey, offering hands-on activities including traditional food preparation, ancient fire-making techniques, weaving, sand drawing and crafting everyday items.

You'll witness captivating performances from the "Men's Wind Dance" to the "Women's Flower Dance", participate in ceremonial welcomes with salu-salu presentations, and even join the public dancing finale.

Tours operate at 10 am every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (bookings essential), with other days available by request only.

Experience one of Vanuatu's most remarkable multi-day treks on the legendary Dog's Head Trek across northern Malekula.

This two-day coast-to-coast adventure takes you through some of the most rugged and culturally rich terrain in the Pacific, crossing from the northeast to the west coast through traditional Small Nambas and Big Nambas territories.

Your personal guide will introduce you to authentic bush life, sharing stories and local knowledge as you're welcomed into villages that maintain traditional ways of living.

Trek through pristine rainforest, swim in hidden cascading river pools and discover Malekula's fascinating history, including tales of its cannibalistic past.

The journey culminates at the charming western village of Tenmaru, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the tranquil Pacific waters.

The four-day Manbush Trail is one of Vanuatu's most challenging and culturally immersive trekking experiences.

Starting from the small village of Unua on the east coast, you'll journey deep into dense jungle, crossing rivers and summiting Mt Laimbele at 850 m (2,789 ft) above sea level.

This strenuous trek takes you through rarely visited parts of the island, where you'll encounter remote hill tribes like the elusive Lembongbong and experience authentic manbush living first-hand. Sleep in traditional thatched bungalows and handmade bush shelters, feast on local delicacies like nesowong (bush banana with water taro and coconut milk), and witness ancient cultural practices in remote villages.

The trail concludes at Lawa village on the west coast, where you can relax on the white and grey stone beach and swim in the clear Matanoi River after your epic four-day adventure.

For a shorter adventure through Malekula, book a guided tour of the Losinewi Cascades.

This gorgeous half-day hike whisks you into the misty heart of central Malekula, where your local guide will lead you through forest trails that feel like stepping into a fairy tale. We're talking delicate orchids clinging to ancient trees and vibrant flowering irises that'll have you stopping every few metres for photos.

The star of the show is Losinwei Waterfall, where you can dive into the crystal-clear pool beneath the cascading waters. Feeling adventurous? Scramble up the rock face to discover hidden limestone pools that most visitors never even know exist.

After working up a sweat on the trail, you'll have plenty of time to laze about in this natural paradise before making the easy stroll back to Losinwei Beach.

Unlike the hikes Malekula is famous for, you don't need to pack like you're conquering Everest to experience Malekula's incredible trekking, as this walk proves that sometimes the best adventures come in small packages.

Discover the remote beauty of Atchin Village, home to what many consider the most stunning black sand volcanic beach in all of Vanuatu.

This small coastal community offers an authentic island experience where you can swim in its turquoise waters, spot the elusive dugongs that frequent these shores, and take traditional outrigger canoe rides with friendly locals. Furthermore, the dramatic black volcanic sand creates a striking contrast against the azure waters, making it a photographer's dream.

Across from Atchin village is Atchin Island, which involves a scenic day trip by outrigger canoe or boat. There, you'll find a welcoming community that will invite you to experience their traditional way of life. The journey itself becomes part of the adventure as you travel across the waters to this untouched slice of paradise.