Vanuatu is an independent island nation in the South Pacific, with its capital, Port Vila, on the island of Efate and its second town, Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. It lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanoes, earthquakes and cyclones shape almost any trip. Vanuatu is not covered by Roam Like at Home, so a European SIM roams here on its operator's own terms, and the UK Foreign Office notes that although a 4G network exists, coverage varies across the country.
Key facts for Vanuatu
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: varies by plan
- Emergency numbers: police 111 or 22222; ambulance 115; fire 113
- Embassies: British High Commission in Port Vila; Australia's High Commission also assists Canadians
Before you fly
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive. Visa rules depend on your nationality, so check with Vanuatu's Department of Immigration and Passport Services before travelling; Canada, for example, lists stays of up to 30 days without a tourist visa for its citizens. Customs rules are strict, and anything that may be prohibited or taxable must be declared. The UK Foreign Office also reports that Air Vanuatu is not operating international or domestic flights, while other airlines still serve the country, so check any booking that includes it, codeshares too.
Island hopping and the signal
Trips to the outer islands are usually on small local planes, from airports with basic facilities or none, and schedules can change at short notice because of the weather or volcanic ash. Inter-island boats are infrequent and can be unreliable, and many lack valid seaworthiness certificates, so look into a boat's safety before boarding. Because 4G coverage varies from island to island, download maps and save key numbers before leaving Efate or Santo.
Volcanoes, earthquakes and cyclones
Vanuatu records over 2,000 seismic events a year; most are minor, but earthquakes above magnitude 5.0 happen regularly, and a significant one struck Port Vila on 17 December 2024, damaging buildings and local infrastructure. Ambae, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Lopevi, Tanna and Vanua Lava all have active volcanoes, whose alert levels can change without warning, and an island may be off limits while its volcano is active, so check the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department and the Vanuatu Tourism Office first. The cyclone season normally runs from November to May, though cyclones can come at any time; during a storm, guests in hotels near the shore may be moved to safety centres inland, and travel to and from the outer islands can be disrupted for days.
Customs, kava and land
Local customs are strictly observed: keep beachwear for the beach and the hotel, and ask before photographing anyone. Land ownership is a sensitive matter, so off the beaten track you may be trespassing unless you pay the landowner a visiting fee, and most beaches charge an entry fee. Kava is drunk at ceremonies and in kava bars called nakamals, some of which, particularly outside Port Vila, do not welcome women; it is also banned from entry to the UK. Supermarkets cannot sell alcohol from midday on Saturday until 7am on Monday, although bars, clubs and hotels can serve it, and even small amounts of drugs can lead to prison and a large fine.
Sea, roads and crime
Currents can be extremely strong, coral cuts easily, some lagoons have water quality problems and sharks are present, particularly around Espiritu Santo and Malekula, according to Canada. Use licensed operators for water sports and diving, and ask about their emergency plans; Vanuatu's 2 hyperbaric chambers are both in Port Vila. Only Efate and Santo have paved roads, night driving is hazardous because of poor lighting and pedestrians, and many vehicles are badly maintained and may be uninsured; a UK photocard licence is accepted. Taxis can be hailed in the street and use meters. Crime is generally low, but there have been violent burglaries and attacks on foreigners, including tourists at bars and nightclubs in Port Vila, and card and cash machine fraud occurs.
Health and money
Medical facilities are basic: clinics in Port Vila offer primary care, serious cases need evacuation to Australia or New Zealand, and doctors may ask for cash before treating you, so insurance with evacuation cover is essential. Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are among the health risks. The currency is the vatu; some Port Vila businesses take Australian dollars, and cards work in Port Vila and Luganville but less so elsewhere.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up before you fly connects when you land, on 4G, with the network depending on the plan. An Oceania plan also covers Fiji, New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand, and a World plan suits a longer trip. Your regular SIM can stay in for bank messages, as long as its data roaming is off.
Consular protection: who to call in Vanuatu
- Call 111 or 22222 for the police, 115 for an ambulance and 113 for the fire service.
- The British High Commission in Port Vila assists British nationals, and Canadians can get help during office hours from the High Commission of Australia in Port Vila, under a consular sharing agreement.
- Save in the Telcomia app the embassy or high commission responsible for Vanuatu for your nationality, with its phone number.
- If your EU country has no representation in Vanuatu, the embassy or consulate of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Bislama, English and French are the official languages.
Questions travellers ask about Vanuatu
Will my EU SIM work in Vanuatu?
Only on roaming, at your operator's own rates, since Vanuatu is outside Roam Like at Home.
Can I visit the volcanoes?
When alert levels allow. They can change suddenly and an island may be closed, so check the official alert levels and local advice before you go.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Vanuatu?
It depends on the plan, on 4G, and coverage varies between islands.
Is there a decompression chamber?
Yes, two, both in Port Vila, so ask your dive operator how it would get you there.
The short version
Check your visa and passport validity, confirm your flights, install the eSIM before you fly, save maps for the outer islands, follow volcano and cyclone alerts, respect local customs and landowners, dive with licensed operators, carry insurance for evacuation, and save 111 and 115.
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