Scooter & Quad Hire in Vanuatu: Where to Rent, Cost & More

You'll find scooters readily available in Port Vila city centre, and they're perfect for getting around the town's roads (though you'll want to keep an eye out for those sneaky potholes). We personally love taking the route to the southeast coast, where the road conditions are at their best; it's a brilliant way to reach stunning spots like Blue Lagoon and Rarru Cascades, and it's much cheaper than hiring a car.

That said, road conditions can be a bit of a mixed bag, so we recommend taking it nice and easy if you go with this option. From our experience, a cautious approach makes for a much more enjoyable ride.

Once you've decided scooter rental is for you, check out the companies we've listed below to find your perfect ride.

e-Bikes Vanuatu (Port Vila & Efate)

About: For travellers looking to explore Port Vila and the surrounding areas at their own pace, e-Bikes Vanuatu offers mopeds that are easy, convenient and perfect for seeing the southeast coast of Efate, where the roads are in the best condition or around the whole island if you're willing to take it slow due to the potholes.

The business boasts a fleet of petrol-powered scooters with helmets and safety instructions included. Staff provide tips on the best routes for exploring the island safely. All mopeds can be ridden with a standard car licence and the minimum age for scooter rental is 18 years old, which is lower than the general 21-year minimum for other vehicles.

Scooters available: Petrol-powered moped, fully automatic (twist & go!). Extras included: Helmets, USB charger, phone pocket, large under-seat lockable storage and map. No mileage restrictions.

Rental options include single rider all-day packages, rider plus passenger all-day packages, and two-day deals for rider plus passenger combinations. Long-term hire is available by negotiation.

Pick-up and drop-off locations: e-Bikes Vanuatu, Kumul Highway, Port Vila (next to Asco).

Pick-up is available directly from e-Bikes Vanuatu's depot.

Insurance: Optional insurance is available for worry-free riding, with an excess applied in case of damage (1,560 VT per day).

On Wheels Rentals (Port Vila & Efate)

About: Another option for exploring Port Vila and its surroundings, On Wheels Rentals offers scooters that are easy to handle and perfect for downtown driving on sealed roads. The rental company provides both 50cc and 125cc automatic scooters suitable for solo travellers or couples looking for convenient island transport for those aged 18 years and over.

All scooters feature automatic gears for ease of use, but are restricted to sealed road use only, so you will be restricted to the Port Vila city centre, though you may want to ask about the policy regarding the road along the southeast coast toward Blue Lagoon.

Scooters available: Two scooter categories are available - 50cc scooters ideal for single riders and 125cc scooters comfortable for two persons with a maximum load capacity of two persons or 160 kg (265 lbs). All rentals include 100 km (60 mi) per day with additional kilometres charged at 40 VT per km.

Pick-up and drop-off locations: On Wheels, Kumul Highway, Port Vila. Opposite World Car Rentals, near Au Bon Marché Nanbatu.

Pick-up is available directly from On Wheels' depot.

Insurance: Mandatory basic coverage costs 1,500 VT daily with an excess of 120,000 VT. Premium options are available for an additional 1,700/3,000 VT per day reduces excess to 60,000/30,000 VT. A security deposit of 120,000 VT credit card pre-authorisation is required.

Given Vanuatu's notoriously bumpy roads, we're big fans of exploring by quad bike if you're after that wind-in-your-hair feeling. You'll find rental options in both Port Vila and Santo, making it easy to tackle those challenging tracks whilst soaking up the incredible scenery.

Turtle Bay Lodge (Espiritu Santo)

About: For independent travellers wanting a fun and flexible way to explore Vanuatu’s east coast, Turtle Bay Lodge offers two exciting options: quad bikes or 2- and 4-seater road buggies. Both are ideal for exploring the local sights, including Port Olry, Champagne Beach, and the surrounding coastline.

Helmets and safety instructions are provided, so you’re all set for a safe adventure.

Vehicles available: Turtle Bay Lodge offers quad bikes that are suitable for two riders, robust enough for coastal and lightly rugged terrain. Road buggies are available in two- and four-seater models, great for families or small groups.

Bookings are highly recommended, especially during peak travel periods or when cruise ships are in Port Vila, to ensure availability.

Pick-up and drop-off locations: Turtle Bay Lodge, East Coast Road, Turtle Bay, Espiritu Santo.

Pick-up is available directly from Turtle Bay Lodge.

On Wheels Rentals (Port Vila & Efate)

About: On Wheels Rentals is perfect for solo travellers or couples who want something a bit more adventurous than your typical rental car. You'll love their quad bikes and road buggies, which are brilliant for tackling Efate's notorious potholed roads. You only need to be 18 to rent one of these. Just bring a valid driver's licence from your home country that you've held for at least one year, and you're good to go.

Fair warning though – whilst these machines can handle the bumpy roads like champions, you'll still need to stick to the speed limits. But honestly, with Efate's scenery whizzing by, you won't want to rush anyway.

Vehicles available: Two quad categories are available - 150cc quad bikes ideal for two riders with a maximum speed of 80 kph (50 mph) and 300cc quad bikes which can get you around the island on one tank of fuel. The maximum load capacity of two persons or 160 kg (265 lbs). All quad rentals include 100 km (60 mi) per day with additional kilometres charged at 40 VT per km. Road buggies are also available, seating a driver and a passenger.

Pick-up and drop-off locations: On Wheels, Kumul Highway, Port Vila. Opposite World Car Rentals, near Au Bon Marché Nanbatu.

Pick-up is available directly from On Wheels' depot.

Insurance: Mandatory basic coverage costs 1,500 VT daily with an excess of 120,000 VT. Premium options are available for an additional 3,200/4,500 VT per day, reducing excess to 60,000/30,000 VT. A security deposit of 120,000 VT credit card pre-authorisation is required.

We've broken down the approximate costs for hiring a scooter or moped in Vanuatu. Prices are subject to change, especially petrol, so use this as a guide.

• Scooter/moped per day: 7,500–15,000 VT (cheaper rates may apply for longer hires)
• Helmet and safety gear/day: Free
• Petrol refill: 460–500 VT per litre
• Delivery/pickup (Port Vila): 4,600–5,000 VT
• Security deposit: 11,500–12,000 VT

How Much is it to Hire a Scooter for a Day in Vanuatu?

The average scooter or moped rental for one day in Vanuatu costs approximately 15,000 VT.

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

Petrol top-up at the end of your trip, around 230 VT for a 50–60 km (31–37 mi) day exploring Efate.

Total: Expect to pay around 15,230 VT for a single day's ride. This excludes optional extras like delivery, insurance, or credit card fees.

How Much is it to Hire a Scooter for Five Days in Vanuatu?

The average rental for five days is roughly 69,000 VT (about 13,800 VT per day).

Additional costs:

Petrol top-up—roughly 1,150–1,200 VT for around 250–300 km (155–186 mi) of island exploration.

Total: Expect to pay around 70,200–70,500 VT for five days, excluding optional services.

How Much is it to Hire a Scooter for a Week in Vanuatu?

For a week-long rental, the average cost is approximately 92,000 VT (about 13,100 VT per day).

Additional costs:

Petrol top-up—roughly 1,500–1,600 VT for 350–400 km (217–249 mi) of riding around Efate.

Total: Expect to pay around 93,500–93,600 VT for seven days. Optional services like delivery, insurance, or extras are not included.

Scooters are a handy way to get around parts of Vanuatu, especially around town and shorter coastal trips. They’re easy to park, light on fuel and much breezier than a car, but there is one important thing to know before you hop on: some scooters in Vanuatu are manual or geared.

Your rental scooter will have either a side stand or a centre stand to stop it from toppling over. Hold onto the handlebars, take the pressure off the stand and kick the side stand up. If it’s on a centre stand, sit on the scooter and roll it gently forward until it comes off the stand.

Next, get familiar with the controls. You should have your indicators within reach of one thumb: flick left to indicate left, right to indicate right and press to cancel. Your brakes are behind the handlebars, just like a pushbike, while one handlebar twists as your throttle to get you moving.

If you’re riding an automatic scooter, that’s more or less the basics sorted. Start the engine, release the brake, twist the throttle gently and off you go, preferably not straight into a coconut tree.

If you’re hiring a manual or geared scooter, ask the rental company to walk you through the gears before you leave. Make sure you know how to change up and down smoothly, where neutral is and how the clutch works if the model has one. You should only hire a manual scooter if you’re already confident riding one.

Your scooter rental company should show you how to start the engine, lock the steering, open the fuel cap and refuel the scooter, depending on the model. If they don’t, just ask before setting off. You can find the gas stations listed in Information, Shops & Services in Port Vila & Efate.

And it’s that simple! Well, simple enough once you know whether you’re on an automatic or a geared scooter.

The Road Rules of Vanuatu

It’s all well and good knowing how to ride a scooter, but you will also need to know the basic road rules of Vanuatu in order to keep yourself and others safe. The main rules you need to know are:

• Drive on the right side of the road.
• In Port Vila, be aware of the one-way roads running through the centre of town.
• Riders and pillion passengers on scooters must wear a safety helmet.
• Speed limits are usually signposted. Expect limits of around 40-60 kph (25-37 mph) on many main roads and lower speeds through villages, although the official driving guide notes limits of 50 kph (31 mph) in town areas and 80 kph (50 mph) outside of these areas.
• At roundabouts, give way to traffic already circulating on the roundabout.
• Use your indicators, or hand signals if needed, when turning or changing direction.
• Overtake only when it is safe to do so. Slower vehicles may move slightly to allow passing, but don’t assume they have seen you.
• Stop for school buses when flashing lights are active.
• Use your horn only as a necessary warning, not as a “hello, I’m on holiday” sound effect.
• If you are involved in an accident, stop where safe and follow the reporting requirements with the local police.

You can learn more about the official rules in How to Drive in Vanuatu + Road Rules You Need to Know.

Common Hazards and Safety Tips for Riding a Scooter in Vanuatu

While riding a scooter is generally safe, there are a few hazards you’ll want to keep in mind during your adventures. Scooters are lighter than cars, so road conditions and sudden surprises matter a lot more.

• Dogs are often found near roads, especially around villages and access roads to beaches or attractions. If a dog starts chasing, try to keep riding straight and steady rather than swerving suddenly. They usually lose interest once you keep moving.
• Loose gravel can cause wheels to slide, especially when turning, braking or pulling off the side of the road. Slow down before corners and avoid sharp movements on gravelly patches.
• Flooding can happen during heavy rain, so check the weather before heading off on a longer ride. If water is covering the road, don’t assume it is shallow enough to cross on a scooter.
• Potholes and speed bumps are common, so keep your eyes up and your speed down. This is especially important on unfamiliar roads, where the next bump can appear with very little warning.
• Children and animals can also be on or near the road, so ride cautiously through villages and built-up areas. Give yourself plenty of space to react and don’t rush through local communities.

You can learn more about the state of the roads in Vanuatu in How to Drive in Vanuatu + Road Rules You Need to Know.