How to Catch a Boat Transfer in Vanuatu: The Complete Guide

The easiest boat transfers in Vanuatu are the short resort boats around Port Vila. These are the most traveller-friendly transfers in the country, with signposted jetties, regular crossings and, in most cases, staff who are used to visitors turning up for a day pass.

They are less “ask around at the beach and hope for the best” and more “follow the sign, wait at the jetty and enjoy the ride”. A gentle introduction to Vanuatu’s boat-transfer life, then.

Boat Transfers to Iririki Island Resort

The boat transfer to Iririki Island Resort departs from the Port Vila waterfront. Look for the clearly signposted pick-up point next to The Grand Hotel along Kumul Highway, the main road through Port Vila.

Day passes usually include return ferry transfers from the Port Vila jetty. As a rough idea, adults pay from around 2,000 VT for a basic day pass with ferry transfer, while children pay less depending on their age. There are also higher-priced day pass options, so check what’s included before you hop aboard.

Boat Transfers to Erakor Island Resort

The boat transfer to Erakor Island Resort departs from the resort’s mainland jetty off Pango Road. Instead of turning off to Warwick Le Lagon, continue to the end of the road where you’ll see the jetty.

During the day, you can usually wait at the jetty and the boat will come across to collect you. After hours, there is a red light system to call the ferry.

Day passes operate from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and include return ferry transfers from the mainland jetty. Adults pay around 2,000 VT, while children pay around 1,000 VT. Part of the pass is usually redeemable as credit for food, drinks, watersports equipment or spa treatments, which softens the blow nicely.

Boat Transfers to Hideaway Island Resort

The boat transfer to Hideaway Island Resort departs from the resort jetty on the way to Mele. Follow the signposted turn-off down towards The Beach Bar, then wait at the jetty.

The ferry runs back and forth regularly, and you pay at reception once you arrive on the island. Adult day passes are around 2,000 VT, while children pay around 1,000 VT.

After 6 pm, the evening boat schedule runs roughly every 30 minutes through the evening, with later crossings at 11 pm, midnight, 3 am and 6 am. Check the latest return times before settling in too comfortably, especially if “one drink” has a habit of becoming three.

Local Banana Boats From Port Vila Central Market

Local banana boats also depart from a jetty next to Port Vila Central Market. These are useful for reaching places where the roads can be slow or uncomfortable, including parts of the Pango Peninsula.

Some accommodation providers, such as Paradise Cove Resort, may recommend this transfer method and can help arrange it on your behalf. Banana boats from the market area also go to Ifira Island.

Boat transfers from Efate are the main way to reach the small islands scattered around the north and northwest coast. Some are simple beach-to-beach banana boat rides, while others are usually bundled into locally run day tours.

For the easiest transfers, bring cash, confirm the return journey before you leave and allow some wiggle room for weather and tide conditions. Island time and boat time are close cousins, after all.

Boat Transfers to Pele and Nguna Islands

Boat transfers to Pele Island and Nguna Island depart from Emua Wharf on the north coast of Efate, approximately 50 km (31 mi) from Port Vila.

Both islands are a similar distance from Efate, with the crossing taking around 15 to 20 minutes. You can usually catch a boat without booking, although it’s also easy to arrange transfers through bungalow operators on the islands. See accommodation options in Where to Stay on Efate.

For Pele Island, boat transfers cost around 1,500 VT one way per person, or 3,000 VT return per person.

For Nguna Island, boat transfers cost around 3,000 VT one way. Locals pay around 500 VT one way.

Boat Transfers to Moso Island

Boat transfers to Moso Island depart from Moso Landing in Sema, just a little further along the Ring Road east of Port Havannah.

Boats come in and out from the landing, so you can usually turn up and catch one with local skippers. The crossing takes around five to seven minutes and costs around 1,000 VT per boat trip.

Boat Transfers to Lelepa and Eretoka

Boat transfers to Lelepa Island and Eretoka Island are usually part of locally run tours rather than simple point-to-point transfers.

Common departure points include Mangaliliu (note the rough road conditions), Gideon’s Landing in Havannah and Lelepa Landing in Manga’asi. For these islands, it’s best to book the tour first and confirm exactly where your boat departs from, as the pickup point can depend on the operator and sea conditions.

Boat transfers around Santo are handy for reaching the smaller islands just offshore, especially Aore Island, Malo Island and Dany Island. These are usually short trips by banana boat or resort transfer, with departure points spread along the coast rather than from one central ferry terminal.

Most transfers are arranged directly at the landing area, through accommodation hosts or as part of a day trip. As always with boat travel in Vanuatu, bring cash, confirm the return plan and expect schedules to be flexible.

Boat Transfers to Malo Island

Boat transfers to Malo Island usually depart from Naoneban Bridge on the south coast of Santo, about 15 km (9 mi) west of Luganville.

Boats typically land at Mel Landing, where truck drivers wait on standby to take passengers around the island. The boat crossing takes around 15 minutes, making Malo one of the easier island hops from Santo.

Expect to pay around 500 VT per trip for transfers to the northern beaches of Malo Island, including around Birihia Guesthouse. For the west coast, such as Tawai Guesthouse, expect around 1,500 VT per trip.

For the return journey, bungalow owners can usually call the boat or truck transport for you. In other words, it’s less “walk up and hope” and more “let the local accommodation network do its thing”.

Boat Transfers to Aore Island

Boat transfers to Aore Island depart from the waterfront in Luganville town centre, next to The Sandbar restaurant. Boats go in and out throughout the day, so it’s usually possible to catch one from the waterfront.

A private boat charter costs around 2,000 VT per trip. The crossing takes around ten minutes.

Some resorts also arrange their own transfers. For example, Aore Island Resort guests can use the free scheduled ferry from Santo Hardware Wharf, with departures at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm.

Boat Transfers to Dany Island

Transfers to Dany Island are usually part of the island’s day trip, booked directly with the resort there.

The boat collects guests from the waterfront just south of Turtle Bay Lodge. For current prices and bookings, see the Dany Island Day Trip page.

Getting around Malekula by boat is often more practical than it first sounds. Banana boats connect the main island with its offshore islands, coastal villages and even neighbouring Ambrym, although most transfers are informal, weather-dependent and best arranged locally.

In many cases, you’ll need to charter the whole boat rather than pay for a seat on a scheduled service. Cash is essential, flexibility is your friend, and shade is not something you should count on (neither are lifejackets, from what we noticed).

Lakatoro Wharf Boat Transfers: Where to Go

Lakatoro Wharf is the main place to look for banana boat transfers around northeast Malekula. To get there, turn left after the town centre, around where the market and Vodafone outlets are, then follow the road all the way to the end.

There are usually plenty of banana boats waiting at the wharf, so it’s possible to walk down and ask around for a ride. That said, for longer trips or anything involving accommodation pickups, we recommend arranging the transfer ahead of time through your host.

Boat Transfers From Lakatoro to Uri and Uripiv Island

The easiest boat transfers from Lakatoro are to Uri and Uripiv Island, both offshore islands close to town.

The crossing to Uri takes around 10 to 15 minutes and costs about 1,500 VT to charter the boat one way. Uri is also home to Nanwut Bungalows, making this a handy transfer to organise through your accommodation.

For Uripiv Island, expect the trip to take around 15 to 20 minutes from Lakatoro Wharf.

Boat Transfers Between Lakatoro and Lamap

Banana boats also run between Lakatoro and Lamap, with a charter costing around 25,000 VT for the boat. It’s a more expensive option, but it can be faster and smoother than travelling by road, especially if you’re short on time or simply not keen on a long, bumpy ride.

Another option is to take a truck transfer from Lakatoro Market to Tambibi Village, where boats from Lamap pick up and drop off passengers in the bay. This option is best planned in advance with your accommodation hosts, as it’s not the sort of connection you want to figure out five minutes before departure. See more land transport options in our Vanuatu Truck & Taxi Guide.

Boat Transfers to the Maskelyne Islands

For the Maskelyne Islands, boats depart from north of Lamap, including Black Sands and Lamap town. The fare is around 3,000 VT one way.

Boats can also run between Black Sands and Lamap town, while another landing point is found past Lamap Airport at Gaspard Bay, which can make for a quicker boat ride depending on where you’re staying or heading.

As with most Malekula boat transfers, the best contact point is usually your accommodation host. They can help organise the right pickup place, timing and skipper, which saves a lot of wandering around looking hopeful on the beach.

Boat Transfers to Ambrym

Boat transfers are available from Malekula to Ambrym, usually from Lamap or Lakatoro Wharf.

Expect to pay around 25,000 VT for a boat charter from Lamap to Ambrym, or around 40,000 VT from Lakatoro Wharf. These are longer, more exposed crossings, so allow room in your plans for weather changes.

Boat Transfers to Wala and Rano

For Wala and Rano, boats depart from the coast by Walarano Village. One of the easiest contacts is Nawori Sea View Bungalows, which is located right on the coast and can launch boats next to the accommodation.

Transfers cost around 300 VT per person, or around 3,000 VT to charter the whole boat one way. This makes it one of the more straightforward and affordable short boat trips on Malekula.

Boat Transfers From Lambubu Wharf to Southwest Bay

Lambubu Wharf sits across the island from Lakatoro on the west side of Malekula. A hired truck from Lakatoro takes around 20 minutes, with the road mostly in good condition to this point.

There is plenty of boat activity at the wharf, including transfers to Southwest Bay, which take around two hours. Expect to pay around 15,000 VT to charter a boat one way, or around 1,000 to 1,200 VT per person if you can join a shared transfer.

A truck from Lakatoro to Lambubu costs around 600 VT per person. As always, organise the boat and land transport ahead where possible, especially if you’re trying to make connections on the same day.