Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1,300 kilometers. It is tiny in comparison to most countries but it is packed full of amazing one-of-a-kind experiences.
Located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Vanuatu faces frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. But despite this, it ranks as the happiest place in the world in 2024. The ranking is based on self-reported well-being scores, life expectancy, GDP per capita and carbon footprint. The Happy Planet Index noted factors like tight-knit communities, a peaceful political system, and a serious stance on environmental issues as some of the reasons Vanuatu came out on top.
We are entering the Vanuatu Island chain in the south end at Tanna. We will go further south to Anatom/Mystery Island after we clear into the country. Then we will make our way North/West to the other islands.
WWII History
During World War II, Allied military bases were established on the islands of Éfaté and Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. While the Solomon Islands experienced both land and sea battles, Vanuatu was spared from much of the actual fighting. Remnants of WWII were left in Vanuatu as a stark reminder of the tragedy that struck this beautiful country. One of the most famous wrecks is the Wreck of the Coolidge in 1942 which is now a very popular dive site.
Many fabulous things to do in Vanuatu. Here is a list of the top 20 adventures. We plan to see a lot, but we our primary goal is to hike Mt. Yasur, swim with the dugongs, witness the land diving, enjoy a few blue holes, and dive the wreck Coolidge.
Because we just arrived, the photos below came from other sources, but rest assured, we will take our own photos of each experience.
Mt. Yasur
Vanuatu is most known for of the worlds most accessible active volcanos, Mt. Yasur. You can get as close as 150m of the crater and its spewing lava. This volcano stands 361m above sea level and is 400m in diameter. Matt and I plan to visit this amazing volcano during our visit in Tanna, so stay tuned for that blog post.
Image taken by AlluringWorld.com
Land diving
Vanuatu is said to be the originator of bungee jumping — but they call it land diving. This is a right of passage for men and is only held during a few months out of the year on the island of Pentecost. Men tie vines to their ankles and leap off platforms to show their manhood. We specifically came to Vanuatu to see this act of bravery.
Image provided by freedictionary.com
Blue Holes
Vanuatu has more freshwater blue holes than any other place in the world. Found hidden amongst the lush emerald rainforest, these iridescent blue holes are a direct result of Vanuatu’s unique geology. When it rains, water from the islands’ volcanic mountains flows underground into limestone caves, which corrodes the limestone and creates underground streams. Eventually, these streams resurface as freshwater springs, or what we know as the blue holes. The waters in these blue holes are incredibly clear, creating a dazzling luminescent effect that seems almost too perfect to be natural.
Dugongs
I’ve always had a soft spot for manatees but have never had the opportunity to see one. In Vanuatu, they have the manatee’s cousin called the Dugong. They look remarkably similar, yet they are very different. My goal is to find a few and swim with them in their natural environment.
Image provided by Smithsonianmagazine.com
14 Facts You May Not Know About Vanuatu:
- Vanuatu is an archipelago consisting of about 83 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, located about 1,750 kilometers east of northern Australia.
- Vanuatu was known as the New Hebrides before gaining independence from joint British-French rule in 1980.
- Vanuatu is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with over 100 indigenous languages spoken across its islands.
- The official languages are Bislama (a creole language), English, and French.
- The capital and largest city is Port Vila, located on the island of Efate.
- Vanuatu is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and has several active volcanoes, including Mount Yasur on Tanna Island, which is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes.
- Vanuatu is known for its rich cultural heritage, including the annual Nagol (land diving) ritual on Pentecost Island, which is considered a precursor to modern bungee jumping.
- Vanuatu’s population is approximately 300,000 people, with a mix of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian heritage.
- The economy is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and offshore financial services.
- Vanuatu’s traditional music features bamboo flutes, drums, and slit gongs, with lively dances and songs accompanying various ceremonies and celebrations.
- Kava, a traditional drink made from the root of the kava plant, is widely consumed in Vanuatu. It plays an important role in social and ceremonial occasions.
- Vanuatu has been ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. This despite its economic challenges, due to strong community ties and a rich cultural life.
- The island of Espiritu Santo was a major military base during World War II. Remnants of the war, including shipwrecks and military equipment, can still be found there.
- The country has several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Chief Roi Mata’s Domain, which is significant for its cultural and historical importance.
Come along with us as we explore this spectacular country called Vanuatu.
Our blog posts run 10-12 weeks behind actual live events. This blog post occurred around the first of June. Did you read about how we got here? Check out our post “6 days at sea.“