Based on millions of valuable traveller reviews and… opinions on the Trip Advisor site, the awards recognise the natural beauty of more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, and the United States!

Vanuatu is the closest Island Nation to Australia and New Zealand to win the award!

Find out for yourself today by booking your Vanuatu experience at www.airvanuatu.com

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Nagol goes back nearly 15 centuries, long before the world’s first commercial bungy operation opened in 1988. Each April, when the first yam crop is ready for harvest, the people on Pentecost Island begin building towers from branches, vines and tree trunks. It takes five weeks to construct a suitable 20-30 metre tower.

Local men carefully select a vine, knowing that a few centimetres can make all the difference, tie the vine to their legs and dive headfirst from the tower platform at 72km per hour. The aim is to land close enough with their head curled under so that just their shoulders touch the ground. It is believed that this feat will make the ground fertile for the following year.

Land diving is reserved for the locals but travelling to Pentecost Island to witness this awe-inspiring ceremony is an incredible experience. Prepare to be swept up in the excitement as the entire village gathers together in song and dance to watch these tribal daredevils tempt fate.

Pentecost Island, which also boasts pristine beaches, reefs, untouched forests, mountains and jungles as well as exotic wildlife, is within easy reach for travellers.

Contact Air Vanuatu Island Tours to make your visit to Pentecost Island today!

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 After a very short flight from Port Vila with Air Vanuatu (only 35 minutes) we landed at White Grass airport on Tanna.  I could not stop smiling at the first impressions of the island while walking into the quaint airport building amongst a lush island backdrop. 

You can choose to stay at one of the resorts near the airport such as White Grass Ocean Resort, Tanna Lodge and Tanna Evergreen, or travel further and stay near the volcano in a traditional island style bungalow, or even a treehouse for the really adventurous.

My group was staying near the volcano at Friendly Bungalows on the first night and near the airport at one of the resorts on the second night, so the adventure started with a two-hour drive from the airport in a four wheel drive ute.  Holding on in the back of the ute while driving over the unsealed road was a wonderfully fun way to travel and experience the rawness of the island.  Every person we drove past was waving and smiling and welcoming us – our smiles were just getting bigger and bigger as we travelled further. 

En-route we stopped at a roadside market stall set beneath an ancient banyan tree and sampled some local organic fruits and nuts while chatting with the local ladies and their children.  Again there were smiles everywhere.  I had already fallen for this island and we had not even seen the main attraction yet!

After a two-hour thrilling and bumpy drive, we arrived at Friendly Bungalows and found a piece of untouched bliss by the beach.  Our bungalows were island style rustic, very charming and all located right on the beach.  All the meals here are home-cooked by Mary and her local staff – freshly caught lobster is very common. 

After a good feed we were getting ready for our afternoon trip to the volcano.  We got back in the ute and made our way onwards.  We stopped along the way at a local village and witnessed a traditional Tanna custom dance before heading to some hot springs, which also appeared to be a local hang out right on a beach beneath Mount Yasur. 

The drive to the volcano was fantastic with some awe inspiring vistas over the ash plains – perfect for that panoramic shot!  We were nearly at the base when our guide ramped up the speed and we were zooming over the ash plains and up and down the mounds – certainly woke us up!

After the drive, the walk to the rim of Mount Yasur is only 10 minutes, which is why it is famed as one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes.  We parked up and made our way up the path apprehensive of what we would find over the top. 

 After the short walk we met a few people gathered around the viewing points with their guides.  This is where we saw the ash and smoke billowing from the two active vents. It was not until dark that the show really started and we saw how mighty the volcanic activity is. Bright eruptions blasted every few minutes in front of us with the sights and sounds unlike any firework show I had ever seen.  It was hard to imagine that that morning I was in my boutique hotel in Port Vila and only hours later I was standing near the rim of the Mount Yasur volcano!

Yes the volcano is the highlight of Tanna and why people mostly travel to the island, but I would recommend to stay at least two nights (three is even better) so you can experience some of the unique culture and other activities on the island, such as the Black Magic Village tour, kayaking and horseriding. This way you can also sample the different styles of accommodation on the island as well. 

You can actually also send a postcard with Vanuatu Post here – which makes for a nice little souvenir at home!

Other highlights on Tanna include:

• ·         Black Magic cultural village tour
• ·         Horseriding
• ·         Kayaking
• ·         Snorkel into a cave
• ·         Custom dancing
• ·         John Frum Cult Village
• ·         Port Resolution

Want to live some of these and more amazing experiences yourself? Book your Vanuatu Holiday today with Air Vanuatu

By Anne Morris, Vanuatu Tourism Office Australian Representative

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So in order to help you out, the team here at Air Vanuatu have come up with a list of the five essential things you should experience when you visit Port Villa, Vanuatu.

Mele Cascades

At the top of our list are the Mele Cascades. Located just 15 minutes by buggy from Port Vila, the cascades provide a great first taste of Vanuatu’s natural beauty. Enjoy the lush green scenery surrounding the cascades or dive in for a refreshing swim in the pools.

The more adventurous guests can choose to abseil from the 45-50 m tall rock face or explore the hidden cave surrounding the area. Head to the top of the falls and treat yourself to a gorgeous view from top of the lush green fields and forests of Efate Island and the Pacific Ocean.

Vanuatu Jungle Zipline

The Vanuatu Jungle Zipline is a thrilling ride that takes you up to speeds of 100-160 km/hour over the lush green jungles of Vanuatu. But make no mistake about it, despite the adrenaline rush involved, the staff on hand to assist you and are fully trained to keep everybody safe.

Challenge yourself to cross the 80 metre high canyon, and traverse two wobbly suspension bridges and end up on top of a waterfall.

The six zip lines found within The Summit Gardens all make a total of 800 metres worth of high flying adrenaline rush that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Blokart Vanuatu

Blokarting or “land sailing” is the act of riding a vehicle which looks like a cross between a go kart and a wind sail. Don’t be fooled by this seemingly tame activity as the karts can reach speeds of up to 15 knots or more depending on the winds.

Fun and excitement abound for the whole family as even 5 year olds can enjoy this ride.

Wet ‘N Wild Zorbing

You enter the giant ball. You become the giant ball and roll down one of the longest zorb trails in the world. Great fun is had by all!

Hideaway Island Marine Reserve

Spend the day in this great reserve where you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive, eat, and just basically relax in the water. The kids will enjoy being able swim with the fishes and learn about the various marine life on the island.

Pro Tip: There’s an underwater post office located nearby from which you can send waterproof postcards to anywhere in the world!

These are just some of the tips that we thought first timers and regular visitors will enjoy. But you shouldn’t limit yourself to just these activities as there are other fun and exciting stuff for you to do in Port Vila. The best way to find out what they are is to meet and interact with the locals and find out other less known attractions you can try.

Want to live some of these and more amazing experiences yourself? Book your Vanuatu Holiday today!

If you’d like to add to this list, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

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The most recent eruption was in 1982 and lasted less than one day.

4 & 3  nights package from Santo  rate is  from VUV 45, 640

Including :

•          Return airfare Santo/ Gaua/ Santo
•          3 night Accommodation including all meals
•          Mount Garet  volcano  trekking
•         Waterfall Tour including return transport and guides
•         Water  music  tour (  water music is authentic in Gaua)
•         Traditional Museum and village visit
•         Local guides

Travelling days Options:

•          Domestic flights; Fly into Gaua  on Friday and Fly out on  Monday
•          International flights; BNE SON Thursday and flight out SON BNE Tuesday

 For bookings and further information contact Air Vanuatu Island Tours – tours@airvanuatu.vu

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Location: Port-Vila – Efate Island & Luganville – Espiritu Santo

Information: www.alliancefr.vu

It was American musician Joel Cohen who first conceptualised an all-night musical celebration to mark the summer solstice. This idea was then adapted by French Music and Dance director Maurice Fleuret under the directive of then French Minister of Culture Jack Lang. Through their concerted efforts, they were able to successfully produce the first World Music Day on June 21, 1982 in Paris.

Since then, the festival has spread to over 40 countries including Vanuatu. The festival aims to promote music by inviting amateur and professional musicians alike to showcase their talents to a wide audience. In the spirit of promoting music, festival rules dictate that all Fête de la Musique concerts must be held for free, and that all artists must perform for free.

This yearly event brings in an average audience of 15,000 made up of locals and foreigners alike. It featured international and foreign acts like Doepong, Lele, Daddy Cool, Andy Chapman Duo, and various local string bands.

So if you’re after an event that provides good food, good drinks, good music, and good vibes all around, there is no better way to kick off the summer season than at Fête de la Musique in beautiful Vanuatu.

Organise your own Vanuatu Fête de la Musique experience. Book your next Vanuatu holiday through Air Vanuatu today.

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MUSIC: Fest Napuan, Fest Nalenga & Zion Fest (September)

Arguably, Vanuatu’s biggest annual music event (not to mention one of the more important cultural events in the Pacific Islands) is the Fest Napuan. It, along with Fest Nalenga, and Fest Zion combine yearly to make a week-long musical event which features all the best music from all over the world. Last year, the free musical event attracts a total of 40,000 people over its 5 night duration.

The three events have their own distinct flavours with each attracting different kinds of music lovers.

Fest Napuan (also known as Fest’Napuan) features the best of all popular and contemporary music from all over the region, including top acts from Japan, Australia and New Zealand. With almost 30 musical acts appearing each year, Fest Napuan is easily the highlight of the week long musical event.

Fest Nalenga focuses on the Vanuatu sound and mostly features Vanuatu String Band music.

Zion Fest celebrates gospel and religious music.

The musical festivals are usually held in Efate Island yearly. At the time of this writing, the exact date has yet to be determined, but feel free to check out the festival website for the latest announcements.

CULTURE: Port Sandwich Art & Culture Festival (August 16-17, 2013)

To be held on Malekula Island, the Port Sandwich Art & Culture is a chance for the Community of Lamap to celebrate their culture and to share it with outsiders during a two-day festival.

Tourists will be charged 4,000 VT per person to give them a chance to access to such cultural events as the Pig Exchange Ceremony, Traditional Dance Display, Sand Drawing, Rope Drawings, String band, etc. Lunch is included in the fee.

For a more personal cultural experience, you can opt to stay in the village overnight for an additional 1,000 VT. You will be hosted by a local family from whom you will learn to live life Vanuatu style.

All proceeds of the festival go directly to the Lamap community. Interested parties may make their reservations should contact Air Vanuatu Tours in Port Vila tours@airvanuatu.vu

NATURE: Mount Yasur (All year round)

See first-hand Mother Nature’s potent power by visiting what is known the most accessible active volcano in the world: Mount Yasur in Tanna Island.

The volcano’s regular eruptions for the past 800 years have only made it one of the more popular destinations on the island. Lucky travellers might also witness the amazing light show at night.

Just be mindful of the safety warnings issued by local official daily to know if it’s safe to go.

DIVING: SS President Coolidge

The SS President Coolidge is a famous dive spot off the port of Espiritu Santo. Explore the wreckage of this World War II vessel which was sunk by a mine on October 26, 1942 while being pursued by a Japanese submarine.

Divers from all over the world are drawn to this wondrous dive site to marvel at the various antiquities like guns, cannons, Jeeps, paintings, and other historical artefacts found mostly intact in this storied vessel.

LAND DIVING: Pentecost Island

Pentecost Island is home to what CNN called “one of the most bizarre traditions in the world: the nagol or land-diving.”

The ritual, which influenced the invention of bungee jumping by Kiwi AJ Hackett, sees local men and boys as young as seven jump from a 20 -30 metre high manmade tower with only a vine attached to their legs. The tower itself takes locals five weeks to build using materials from the forest. The vines are carefully selected by jumpers who know that just 10 centimetres may be the difference between life and death.

These are only some of the top destinations and events worth checking out in Vanuatu. If the amazing beaches and picturesque scenery won’t convince you to plan your next trip to Vanuatu, then we hope that the said events and locations will.

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 Traveling to view this magnificent ceremony is a once in a lifetime experience. No words can express the feeling of the ground vibrating under the dancing and stomping feet of villages and the excitement of sitting beneath the tower waiting with unease for the diver to jump safely to ground. The awe- inspiring ceremony celebrates the yam harvest and is a fertility rite for meni

Land Diving festival, occurs every Saturday between April and June.

For tours to Pentecost please contact tours@airvanuatu.vu

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Paradise Bungalows 
Ocean view bungalow ( share facilities). On a white sandy beach two double, two single and one family bungalow with flush toilet and shower. They have solar power, an inverter and all meals are included

Air Vanuatu Island Tours know all the Islands of Vanuatu best!  To make a booking, pricing and more information please contact Air Vanuatu Island Tours @ tours@airvanuatu.vu

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The interior of Malekula is mountainous, rugged and forest-covered with good walking and bird watching. There are old cannibal sites hidden in the bush on north Malekula and an estimated population of about 25,000 on the coastal areas and around 1,500 in the rugged interior. The villagers are exceptionally friendly and enjoy sharing their proud cultural heritage with visitors. Neighbouring islands such as Maskelynes and other small offshore islands along the east coast of Malekula have sand beaches and coral reefs with good snorkeling and diving. You can visit nearby small islands in the north such as Uri, Uripiv, Rano, Wala, Atchin and Vao.

Accommodation and Tours

AMELTORO BUNGALOW 
Water Front bungalow  Private facilities (Flush toilet/ bathroom),  24 hrs electricity, daily room services, laundry provided and continental breakfast Return airport transfers (up to 4 people).

NAMBELCHEL  BUNGALOWS
Garden bungalows (private facilities): Garden view, 24 hours electricity, daily room service, Laundry service provided, mosquito nets and Continental breakfast Return airport transfers (up to 4 people).

TAMTAM  BUNGALOWS 
 Sea-side bungalow (private facilities):  Garden view, daily room services,   Laundry
 service provided. Mosquito nets and continental breakfast Return airport transfers (up to 4 people).  

Tours

> Small Nambas Tour including return transport  
> Big Nambas & Small Nambas Day Tour including transport   
> Big Nambas Tour including return transport

 Air Vanuatu Island Tours know all the Islands of Vanuatu best!  To make a booking, pricing and more information please contact Air Vanuatu Island Tours @ tours@airvanuatu.vu 

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