Vanuatu Travel Times & Distances: How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Vanuatu?

Efate is the main island of Vanuatu and where nearly all visitors arrive, typically via Bauerfield International Airport in Port Vila. See Which Airlines Fly Directly to Vanuatu? to find out how long it takes to get here.

You can get around the island by rental car, taxi, local minibuses or guided tours. For more details, check out our Vanuatu Transport Guide: 15 Best Ways to Get Around Vanuatu.

How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Port Vila and Efate?

Driving the full loop of Efate’s coastal ring road takes about 3 hours in a high-clearance vehicle without stops or 4-5 hours in a low-clearance vehicle or bus (minivan). The road is approximately 130 km (81 mi) long, winding past villages, lush forests and inland viewpoints.

Driving Times from Port Vila (Town Area) to:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Mele Village (Beach Area): 10 km / 6.2 mi / 30 mins
• Mele Cascades Waterfall: 11 km / 6.8 mi / 35 mins
• Havannah Harbour: 28 km / 17.4 mi / 50 mins
• Eton Village (East Coast): 35.5 km / 22 mi / 43 mins
• Eton Beach: 37 km / 23 mi / 45 mins
• Emua (Wharf for Nguna/Pele): 47 km / 29 mi / 1 hr 10 mins

Driving Times from Bauerfield International Airport to:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Port Vila (Town Area): 6 km / 3.7 mi / 15 mins
• Mele Village: 6.7 km / 4.2 mi / 20 mins
• Havannah Harbour: 24.7 km / 15.3 mi / 45 mins
• Eton Village: 39.5 km / 24.5 mi / 55 mins
• Emua (Wharf for Nguna/Pele): 43.9 km / 27 mi / 1 hour

Boat & Flight Times from Efate (Port Vila) to:

• Santo (Luganville): 300 km / 186 mi / 50 mins by plane / 10-24 hours by ferry
• Tanna Island: 230 km / 143 mi / 45 mins by plane / 15-16 hours by ferry
• Malekula Island: 190 km / 118 mi / 45 mins by plane / 7-14 hours by ferry

Learn more about inter-island transport in our guide, Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights and Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in Vanuatu.

Walking Times on Port Vila and Efate

You’ve probably heard that Port Vila and Efate are also great for easy walks and multi-day hikes. For waterfall walks, coastal strolls and lookout trails, take a look at The Best Walks & Hikes in Vanuatu LINK#TTD130.

Espiritu Santo is Vanuatu’s largest island and one of its most rewarding destinations, known for white sand beaches, blue holes, WW2 history and lush jungle landscapes. The island is typically accessed via domestic flights from Port Vila into Santo-Pekoa International Airport (Luganville), though multiple ferry services also operate between Port Vila and Luganville.

Once on land, getting around Santo is usually done via accommodation transfers, rental cars, tour companies, taxis or local trucks. Road infrastructure on the east coast is acceptable for rental vehicles; however, prepare for a much slower journey if you're taking the south coast road.

How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Santo?

Santo does not have a completely sealed coastal loop, but it takes approximately 1 hr 30 mins along the Santo East Coast Road from Luganville, and 2 hrs 30 mins to 3 hours to drive from Luganville to the southern coastal area, depending on road conditions. The main accessible road network covers roughly 120 km (75 mi) through villages, rainforest and coastal landscapes.

Driving Times on Espiritu Santo to (From Luganville Town Area) to:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Million Dollar Point: 8 km / 5.0 mi / 15 mins
• SS President Coolidge: 7.6 km / 4.7 mi / 12 mins
• Matevulu Blue Hole: 21.2 km / 13.2 mi / 29 mins
• Riri Blue Hole: 19.8 km / 12.3 mi / 27 mins
• Champagne Beach: 52.6 km / 32.7 mi / 1 hr 12 mins
• Port Olry Village: 63.6 km / 39.5 mi / 1 hr 18 mins
• Tuffuntari Waterfall (South Coast): 27 km / 17 mi / 1 hr 15 mins

Driving Times on Espiritu Santo (From Santo-Pekoa Airport) to:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Luganville (Town Area): 6 km / 3.7 mi / 10 mins
• Million Dollar Point: 4.1 km / 2.5 mi / 6 mins
• SS President Coolidge: 3.3 km / 2.1 mi / 5 mins
• Matevulu Blue Hole: 24.4 km / 15.2 mi / 31 mins
• Champagne Beach: 55.7 km / 34.6 mi / 1 hr 15 mins
• Tuffuntari Waterfall (South Coast): 33 km / 21 mi / 1 hr 25 mins

Boat & Flight Times from Santo to:

• Port Vila: 300 km / 186 mi / 50 minutes by plane / 10-24 hours by ferry
• Malekula: 130 km / 81 mi / 55 minutes by plane / 1 hr 30 mins to 6 hours by ferry

Learn more about inter-island routes and schedules in our guide Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights and Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in Vanuatu.

Tanna Island is one of Vanuatu’s most iconic destinations, best known for Mount Yasur, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes. The island is typically accessed via domestic flights from Port Vila into Whitegrass Airport, with occasional inter-island connections from other islands.

Once on land, getting around Tanna is usually arranged through your accommodation, with most visitors relying on resort transfers, local trucks, 4WD vehicles or guided tours. Road conditions can be rough, especially outside the main areas, so travel times can vary.

How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Tanna Island?

Tanna is relatively compact, and it takes approximately 1 hr 30 mins to 2 hours to drive from the north of the island to the southern coast, depending on road conditions. The main road network covers around 85 km (53 mi), passing villages, plantations, coastal viewpoints and volcanic landscapes.

Driving Times on Tanna Island:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Lenakel to Mount Yasur Volcano: 41.8 km / 26 mi / 1 hr 15 mins (4WD recommended)
• Lenakel to Port Resolution: 50.5 km / 31.4 mi / 1 hr 30 mins

Driving Times on Tanna Island (From Whitegrass Airport) to:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Lenakel (Main Town): 10 km / 6.2 mi / 15 mins (drive)
• Mt Yasur: 33.7 km / 21 mi / 1 hr (drive)
• Port Resolution: 42.4 km / 26.3 mi / 1 hr 15 mins (drive)

Flight Times to Espiritu Santo:

• Tanna from Port Vila: 230 km / 143 mi / 45 minutes by plane
• Tanna from Espiritu Santo: 450 km / 280 mi / 2 hrs 30 mins by plane

Learn more about inter-island routes and schedules in our guide Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights and Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in Vanuatu.

Malekula is Vanuatu’s second-largest island, known for its cultural richness, jungle hikes and dungong swimming, with landscapes ranging from coastal lagoons to rugged interior hills. The island is typically accessed via domestic flights from Port Vila or Santo into Lamap or Norsup Airports, with some limited inter-island shipping options available.

Once on land, getting around Malekula usually involves trucks and banana boats used as public transport, as road infrastructure is limited and often unsealed outside main settlements.

How Long Does it Take to Travel Around Malekula?

Malekula is larger than many of Vanuatu’s islands, and it takes approximately 3-4 hours to drive from the northern to southern settlements along the main roads. The main road network covers roughly 150 km (93 mi).

Driving Times on Malekula:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Norsup Airport to Lakatoro (Main Town): 5 km / 3.1 mi / 10 mins
• Lakatoro to Walarano: 16.6 km / 10 mi / 30 mins
• Norsup to Devil’s Point (Northern Coast): 35 km / 21.7 mi / 1 hr 10 mins
• Lakatoro to North Bay: 18 km / 11.2 mi / 40 mins

Driving Times on Malekula (From Lamap Airport) to:

(Kilometres / Miles / Minutes)

• Lamap Village: 4 km / 2.5 mi / 10 mins
• South Coast Villages: 20 km / 12.4 mi / 40 mins
• North Coast (Devil’s Point area): 50 km / 31 mi / 1 hr 30 mins

Flight and Boat Times to Malekula:

• Malekula from Port Vila: 162 km / 100 mi / 45 mins by plane
• Malekula from Santo: 67 km / 41 mi / 1 hr 30 mins to 6 hours by ferry

Learn more about inter-island routes and schedules in our guide Domestic Flights in Vanuatu: Your Guide to Interisland Flights and Vanuatu Ferry Guide: How to Use the Ferry for Interisland Travel in Vanuatu.