Efate for Families
With calm lagoons, jungle waterfalls, cultural villages, and kid-friendly tours around every corner, it is easy to keep everyone entertained—from toddlers to teens.
Why Families Love Efate Island
Home to the capital, Port Vila, Efate is Vanuatu’s main island and where the majority of international flights land. It is also the perfect starting point for your family holiday.
Efate strikes the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. The island features calm waters, many protected by a reef, with easy access to marine reserves and shallow rock pools.
Most major attractions are within a 10 to 45-minute drive from Port Vila, with transport and lunch options available when booking with local operators. You will also find that many accommodation properties in and around Port Vila offer family rooms and packages, with many restaurants offering a wide range of kid friendly dining options. Whether you are chasing waterfalls, learning local traditions, or simply floating in a lagoon, there is something here for every member of the family.
Here are our top 10 family friendly things to see in do on the island of Efate.
1. Swing into the Blue Lagoon
A firm favourite with kids of all ages, the Blue Lagoon is a natural freshwater swimming hole fed by an underground spring.
The water has a striking blue-green colour, and the real draw for families is the rope swings—kids (and brave parents) can launch themselves into the refreshing water over and over again.
The site is well set up for families, with picnic tables, changing rooms, toilets, and shaded garden areas, with staff on hand to help with the swings and keep an eye on things.
Visitors should note that entry fees apply and can be paid upon arrival at the gate. It is about a 30-minute drive from Port Vila and combines easily with a trip to nearby Eton Beach.
2. Splash Through Mele Cascades
Mele Cascades are a series of tiered natural pools that are terraced into a jungled hillside. At the top stands a 35-metre waterfall with a swimmable plunge pool at the base, and numerous pools below. Kids will love hopping between the limestone pools, and the lower pools near the entrance are calm enough for younger swimmers.
At the entrance you will find toilets, changing rooms, a small café, and picnic tables in a garden setting—handy for snack breaks.
For the adventurous, follow the guide ropes to the top of the waterfall to reach the top pool.
Allow a half day for your visit and be sure to wear sturdy sandals or reef shoes, as the rocks can be slippery.
Mele Cascades are around 10km, or a 10–15-minute drive from Port Vila. Combine your day out with a visit to Hideaway Island Marine Reserve, famous for the world’s only underwater post office, just 2.5km away.
3. Explore Eden on the River
If you only have time for one attraction, make it Eden on the River. This all-in-one family playground has freshwater river tubing, multiple swimming holes, tropical mini-golf, rainforest walking trails, suspended bridges, a petting farm, and an adventure playground for younger children.
It's a great half to full day outing, just a 20-minute drive from Port Vila, with guided tours available.
4. Snorkel with Sea Turtles
Efate's warm, clear waters are perfect for introducing kids to snorkelling. Book a full or half day snorkelling tour, accompanied by guides, where you can swim alongside sea turtles.
You can also opt for a guided boat tour to visit Avi Bay where turtles graze, for shallow water and feeding experiences, or Moso Island to learn more about turtle conservation progammes.
Hideaway Island is a short boat ride from the mainland, is another excellent spot. The reef starts in shallow water just off the beach, and there is an underwater post office where you can mail a waterproof postcard (yes, really).
Bring your own mask and snorkel to be sure good fit for smaller faces.
5. Take an Off-Road Buggy Tour
For families with kids over five, an off-road buggy tour is an unforgettable way to see Efate's back roads, plantations, jungle trails, and hidden beaches. Children can ride alongside adults on these muddy half day adventures and is a great rainy day activity.
Many tours combine the drive with stops at attractions like the Blue Lagoon or Eden on the River, so you can pack several experiences into a single outing with operator pick-ups from Port Vila hotels.
Many off-road tracks are designed to maximise splashes, so make sure to dress in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty as well as to pack a change of clothes.
6. Experience a Traditional Cultural Village
A visit to a kastom (custom) village is one of the best ways to introduce children to Ni-Vanuatu culture. Ekasup Cultural Village, just outside Port Vila.
Tours typically run for 1.5 to 2 hours and include interactive demonstrations such as learning about bush medicine, preparing underground food such as lap lap, and traditional dancing.
7. Do not miss the fire show
The famous Friday Night beach fire show in Mele is not to be missed.
Every Friday night after Happy Hour The Beach Bar puts on their famous Friday Night Fire Show, featuring Fire Dancing, Fire Sticks and Fire Pois, followed by an interactive session for kids to join in on the fun with glow in the dark pois.
Booking a table for dinner is highly recommended.
8. Tour a Chocolate Factory
Aelan Chocolate Makers are Vanuatu’s first chocolate producer and use hand farmed cocoa, grown in nutrient-dense volcanic soil, to give their carefully crafted dark chocolate a rich flavour.
Learn about the unique growing conditions, how chocolate is made from bean to bar, and sample the Alean varieties of chocolate.
9. Wander the Port Vila Markets
No trip is complete without a stroll through Port Vila's main market. Fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, and flowers, handicrafts, and local meals fill the stalls.
Let the kids pick out a souvenir, sample cassava chips, and soak up the friendly bustle of everyday island life. It's free, central, and a genuine slice of Ni-Vanuatu culture.
Try local favourites like Vanuatu’s most famous dish lap lap made with root vegetables and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and baked, and the banana fritters.
10. Glass Bottom Boat Cruise
Take a tour around Iririki Island below the water line of a glass bottom boat.
If you haven't managed to spot a clown fish yet, this is a great opportunity to explore coral formations and marine life from the comfort of the viewing room in the keel.
Tours leave from Port Vila Harbour with a mooring off Iririki Island where you have the chance to snorkel in a sheltered reef and hand feed the fish.
Top Practical Tips for Families
Book Ahead
Most tours and attractions require at least 24 hours' notice. Confirm via phone, Messenger, or the operator's website before you arrive.
Carry Cash
Entrance fees may apply at some sites and are typically payable upon arrival. As many locations do not accept card payments, visitors are encouraged to carry cash. ATMs can be scarce outside Port Vila, so withdrawing Vatu at the start of each day is a good idea.
Pack Sun Protection
Reef-safe sunscreen, re-applied often, with hats, rash vests, and reef shoes carried with you in your day bag.
Getting Around
Public buses, taxis, and tour transfers make it easy to explore, with most attractions within 40 minutes of Port Vila.
Bring Your Own Bags
While many market stall holders or stores may provide you with a bag, it is best to carry your own. Picking up a woven bag from the Port Vila markets is a great idea.
Market Etiquette
In Vanuatu’s markets, prices are generally fixed and displayed, with bartering not a common practice.
Try The Local Food
Taro chips are a must-try snack, and look out for the Mamas preparing local dishes at the waterfront side of the markets.
Ready to explore Efate Island, Vanuatu?
View our flight schedules and start planning your planning your family getaway.