Lagoons, cascades and the friendliest harbour in the Pacific

Port Vila: Pepeyo Village, Blue Lagoon & Eden on the River Tour

The classic Efate day out and one of the most-booked tours in Vanuatu. A guide drives you down the east coast to a cultural village, the Blue Lagoon and the riverside gardens of Eden on the River, with a barbecue lunch along the way. The listing also mentions feeding turtles — see our note on turtle encounters before you decide.

• Kastom welcome at Pepeyo Cultural Village
• Rope swings and a swim at the Blue Lagoon
• Garden trails at Eden on the River and a BBQ lunch

Vanuatu: Turtle and Snorkelling Tour with Lunch

The most-reviewed Port Vila experience on GetYourGuide, and good value. A half-day on the water with guided snorkelling over reef and clownfish anemones, a chance of turtles, a look at a coral-planting garden and a local barbecue on the beach.

• Snorkel over coral and the anemone patch nicknamed “Nemo City”
• Look for sea turtles in the water
• Beach BBQ and a visit to a coral-planting garden

From Port Vila: Efate Island Full-Day Tour

A full day with a local guide that shows you the island rather than one corner of it: village life, a taste of kava, a swim at the Blue Lagoon and long stretches of quiet coast. Well reviewed, with pickup and lunch included.

• A full day exploring Efate by road
• Kava tasting and Pepeyo Cultural Village
• A swim at the Blue Lagoon, lunch included

Vanuatu: Tropical Splash — Beaches & Blue Lagoon Adventure

A relaxed swimming day on the east coast: Eton Beach, the Blue Lagoon and Eden on the River, with fruit, snacks and local stories from your guide. One of the best-rated Efate tours.

• Beach time at Eton Beach
• Swim and swing at the Blue Lagoon
• Eden on the River, fresh fruit and snacks

Vanuatu Jungle Skybridge

The cheapest well-reviewed activity in Port Vila: a guided rainforest walk ending with a long suspension bridge strung across a canyon, with views out to sea. Easy to fit into a cruise call.

• Cross a 120-metre suspension bridge over a rainforest canyon
• Guided jungle walk
• Ocean views from the hills

Port Vila: Moso Island Snorkelling and Cultural Day Tour

A full day on Moso, the long island that shelters Havannah Harbour. Snorkel the reef, eat a barbecue lunch and join in traditional activities with your hosts — a gentle way to see outer-island life without flying anywhere.

• Boat across Havannah Harbour to Moso Island
• Snorkel over coral reef
• BBQ lunch and traditional village activities

From Port Vila: Full-Day Nguna Outer Island Adventure

The most active day trip from Port Vila and the best-rated: drive to the north coast, cross to Nguna for a half-day trek, then cool off in the clear water at Pele. A long day — start early and bring proper shoes.

• Half-day trek on Nguna island
• Afternoon swim at Pele
• Boat crossings from north Efate

Port Vila: Mele Cascades, Snorkelling and Fish Feeding Tour

The two best-known sights north of town in one outing: the climb through the terraced pools of Mele Cascades and a snorkel at Hideaway Island in Mele Bay, with stops at the local coffee roaster and chocolate maker on the way.

• Walk up through the pools to Mele Cascades
• Snorkel at Hideaway Island
• Coffee and chocolate factory stops

Mele Cascades

Terraced pools and a rainforest waterfall

A river tumbling down a limestone hillside through a staircase of clear turquoise pools, ending in a waterfall of around 35 metres. Fifteen to twenty minutes from town, it is the most popular natural sight near Port Vila — and you swim your way up it.

Hideaway Island

A marine sanctuary with an underwater post office

A tiny coral island in Mele Bay, a few minutes by free ferry from Mele beach. The reef around it is a protected marine sanctuary with some of the easiest snorkelling on Efate — and a mailbox on the seabed where you can post a waterproof postcard.

The Blue Lagoon

Efate’s famous turquoise swimming hole

A deep, tree-ringed inlet on the east coast where fresh spring water meets the sea and turns a startling blue. Rope swings, platforms and calm water make it the swim everyone wants — about 40 minutes from Port Vila by road.

Eton Beach

White sand, a river mouth and a reef

The prettiest easily reached beach on Efate: soft white sand, a shallow lagoon sheltered by reef and a small freshwater stream running into the sea. A few minutes beyond the Blue Lagoon and the natural second stop on any east-coast day.

Port Vila Market & Seafront

The mamas’ market and the harbour promenade

The open-sided market house on the seafront is the heart of town: women from Efate’s villages sell taro, yams, island cabbage, fruit and flowers, and cook plates of local food at the back. Outside, the seafront promenade runs along the harbour past the handicraft stalls.

Iririki Island

The resort island in the middle of the harbour

A green, private island a few minutes by ferry from the seafront, once home to the British Resident Commissioner and now a resort. Non-guests can buy a day pass for the pools, the snorkelling cove and a long lunch with a view of town.