Best Time to Visit Vanuatu

Port-Vila: the short version

Port-Vila is on Efate island, and it's the one place on our site for Vanuatu. July and September are the best months to go. The air feels warm but not heavy, and rain is much less likely to wreck your plans.

The islands stretch a long way north to south. Tanna, with its volcano, and Espiritu Santo, with its blue holes, have their own rhythms. We only have Port-Vila data, so treat this as a guide to the capital. The same dry-and-wet pattern broadly holds across the country.

Wet season and dry season

The wet season runs roughly from November to April. February is the hottest month at 29°C, and March is the wettest at 263 mm. Afternoons are sticky, and the rain often comes in heavy bursts. This is also cyclone season. A storm can ground flights to the outer islands, so leave a spare day or two before any international departure.

The dry season runs from May to October. Evenings are cooler and nights are comfortable for sleeping. It's the best time for snorkelling at Hideaway Island, swimming at Mele Cascades, or taking a day trip to Eton Beach. Seas are calmer too, which helps if you're heading out on a boat.

Holidays, events and crowds

High season matches the dry months, especially July to September. Australian and New Zealand school holidays bring families, so flights and beachfront resorts fill up. If you hate crowds, aim for May, June or October. You'll still get mostly dry weather with a bit more space.

Independence Day on 30 July is the big national holiday. Expect parades, music and dancing in Port-Vila, and many shops close. It's fun if you like a lively atmosphere, but it's not the day for errands. Christmas is also busy, with families travelling between islands.

Low season is the wet months. Prices tend to drop and the town is quieter. If you don't mind showers and some humidity, you'll get the waterfront cafés and the Port-Vila market almost to yourself. Just keep your plans flexible.