On a one-hour trip aboard the Reef Explorer, you can watch corals and tropical fish from the glass-bottom boat without getting wet. The boat departs from Port Vila’s waterfront, and a local guide accompanies the trip; sightings are not guaranteed. Port Vila thus combines an experience on the water with cultural attractions, museums and a main market, while a waterfall and cultural village nearby offer additional destinations for day trips.

Harbor and city visits

Port Vila is situated on a natural harbor. Views extend to the islands of Iririki and Ifira, as well as to Malapoa Point. A sunset stroll along the waterfront is highly recommended. The harbor scenery and walk offer a different focus from visiting an exhibition or market.

Port Vila Community Handicrafts is located on Avenue Edmond Colordeau behind Independence Park. It is about a five-minute drive from the city center.

Culture and art in Port Vila

At the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, you can learn about Vanuatu’s traditional Indigenous cultures. Topics include sand drawing, music, land diving, kastom practices and Indigenous knowledge. The centre also offers “Sounds of Vanuatu,” an audio experience about contemporary art and music in Vanuatu, featuring jungle sounds and songs.

The National Museum of Vanuatu displays traditional objects such as masks, sculptures and ancient tools. The Suzanne Bastien Foundation offers a different perspective on art, showcasing works by local and international artists in Port Vila. The two venues have different focuses, ranging from traditional objects to works by contemporary artists.

Main market and local offerings

Port Vila’s main market sells tropical fruit, vegetables, herbs, local dishes and handicrafts. The market is said to be open daily except Sundays; check the opening days locally before your visit. This makes it easy to distinguish a market visit from visits to exhibitions: food and handicrafts are the focus here.

Excursions nearby

Mele Cascades is about 20 minutes from Port Vila. Natural pools are surrounded by dense rainforest, and visitors can climb up to a large waterfall. This offers a nature experience with a different focus from the city’s cultural attractions, without requiring you to combine both in the same itinerary.

In the area around Port Vila, Ekasup Cultural Village offers guided tours that provide insights into Melanesian traditions and the kastom of the Ni-Vanuatu. If you would like to plan a tour, check in advance whether one is available during your visit.

Shefa as the wider regional setting

The wider destination of Shefa province includes the main island of Efate. Efate is accessible via Bauerfield International Airport and is connected to nearby islands by domestic flights and maritime services. Schedules may change; check connections for your travel dates.

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain is also part of the regional cultural offerings in Shefa. The UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises three sites dating from the early 17th century on Efate, Lelepa and Artok. It bears witness to the connection between oral tradition and archaeology, as well as to the enduring legacy of Roi Mata’s social reforms and conflict resolution.

Choose the focus of your stay

When choosing a hotel in Port Vila, you can first consider whether you want to focus mainly on the city’s attractions or also include destinations nearby.

Discover more destinations: Sounaï, Eton, Mele, Mele Maat, Port Havannah, Epule

Return to the main travel overview: Shefa.