How to Get Internet & WiFi in Vanuatu

Free WiFi is much more common at accommodations in Vanuatu than in some other South Pacific destinations. In fact, most resorts, hotels, guesthouses and apartment-style stays offer WiFi for guests, either through local mobile networks or Starlink.

That said, speed and reliability can vary widely. In Port Vila, around Efate and in Luganville, WiFi is usually good enough for messaging, emails and basic browsing. At more remote resorts, beach bungalows and outer-island stays, expect slower speeds, occasional dropouts and the odd “island time” connection moment.

It is rare to find accommodation in Vanuatu without WiFi, but it does happen. We noticed this mostly on outer islands, particularly at some simple local bungalows on Malekula, where mobile data can also be patchy depending on whether you’re in the north, south or out around the Maskelyne Islands.

Rather than listing every accommodation with WiFi here, or else we’d be here all day, check the listings in the 50 Best Resorts in Vanuatu and 50 Best Bungalows and Guesthouses in Vanuatu, where we mention WiFi when it is explicitly included. It’s still worth confirming directly with your accommodation before booking if you need reliable internet for work, calls or keeping the family group chat alive.

Public WiFi in Vanuatu is useful when you find it, but it’s not something to rely on everywhere. The best chances are at cafés, restaurants, some tourism offices, the international airport and selected transport services. Outside Port Vila and Luganville, use mobile data as your main backup and download maps, tickets and booking details in advance.

Cafés and Restaurants with WiFi

Cafés and restaurants are some of the easiest places to access WiFi, especially in Port Vila and Luganville. You’ll usually need to be a customer, so buy a drink or meal before settling in to use the connection.

Free WiFi in Port Vila

In Port Vila and around Efate, try:

• Stonegrill, Port Vila, Efate, on the road uphill behind Tana Russet Plaza
• Mali Beach Club, Devil’s Point Road, Mele Bay, Port Vila, Efate
• Nambawan Café, Port Vila Waterfront, Port Vila, Efate
• Jill’s Café, Kumul Highway, Nambatu, Port Vila, Efate
• The Rossi, Port Vila Waterfront, Port Vila, Efate
• Amoremio, Teouma Point, Bellevue Point, Tassiriki, Port Vila, Efate

Free WiFi in Santo

In Luganville and around Santo, try:

• Mataweli Café and Motel, Canal Road, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Luganvilla, in the restaurant, Boulevard Higginson, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Tú Restaurant, Café and Bar, Rue de Higginson, Main Street, Luganville, Espiritu Santo
• Salty Dog Restaurant, Turtle Bay Lodge, President Coolidge Road, Palikoulo, Luganville, Espiritu Santo

Other Public WiFi Spots

Outside cafés and restaurants, WiFi is more hit-and-miss. Port Vila Airport offers free WiFi throughout the terminal for passengers and visitors, including arrival and departure areas, although availability may be more limited around the domestic terminal.

You can also find free WiFi at some attractions, such as Vanuatu Zipline in Mele Bay.

On Malekula, WiFi is available at the Vanuatu Travel Information Centre in Lakatoro, but there is a fee. There are no real public WiFi hotspots elsewhere on the island, so accommodation WiFi or mobile data will be your main options.

WiFi on Ferries

Some inter-island ferries offer WiFi, but don’t expect it on every vessel or every route. The Aelan Express has WiFi available onboard, while paid WiFi is available on major inter-island vessels such as Vanuatu Ferry.

Treat ferry WiFi as a bonus rather than a guarantee. Download anything important before departure, especially if you’re travelling overnight or between outer islands.

Check out our guide to Information, Shops & Services in Vanuatu LINK#TTD096 to learn more about communication services.

Another way to access the internet in Vanuatu is to purchase a local SIM card and use mobile data. This is often more useful than hunting for public WiFi, especially if you’re travelling outside Port Vila and Luganville.

The two main phone networks in Vanuatu are Vodafone and Digicel. Both offer prepaid SIM cards and data plans, with 4G coverage in places such as Port Vila and Luganville. Vodafone is generally a popular option for Efate, Espiritu Santo and north Malekula, while Digicel has 4G in Port Vila, Luganville and some populated areas of Tanna and south Malekula.

We go through the prepaid plans, where to buy SIM cards and what to check before using your phone in our complete guide, The Best SIM Card in Vanuatu for Travellers.

If you need to create a WiFi hotspot, use WiFi tethering on your phone to share your mobile data connection with other devices. This is usually the easiest option for couples or families who only need to connect a laptop or second phone now and then.

Portable Modems (MiFi)

Alternatively, portable modems, also known as MiFi devices, are available in Vanuatu through the local phone networks. These use a prepaid data SIM card to create a small WiFi hotspot, which can be useful if your phone is not compatible with the local networks, you need to connect multiple devices, or you’re travelling somewhere where one person’s phone hotspot won’t quite cut it.

Vodafone offers MiFi rentals, with two MiFi devices available for 6,500 VT, including a prepaid SIM and 50 GB of data.

Digicel sells MiFi devices rather than renting them, with the device costing 8,935 VT before adding a separate data plan. Data plans range from smaller 30-day bundles, such as 6 GB for 1,000 VT and 12 GB for 2,000 VT, through to larger options up to 150 GB for 15,000 VT.

In both cases, it's best to buy/rent MiFi's at the phone networks' main stores in Port Vila, rather than waiting until you reach the outer islands. Check out store locations in the Information, Shops & Services in Vanuatu LINK#TTD096.

Which is Better for Data Coverage in Vanuatu, Vodafone or Digicel?

Coverage is the catch. Both networks are patchy in places, with different strengths depending on the island and even the side of the island. For the best chance of staying connected, locals often recommend having both Vodafone and Digicel SIM cards, as one network may work where the other doesn’t. If you only choose one, Digicel has slightly more towers overall, while Vodafone is useful in many populated areas and performs particularly well in north Malekula.