Boutique hotels in Vanuatu

Vanuatu is an archipelago of about eighty islands in the South Pacific, and one of the few places where traditional culture, known as kastom, is still part of everyday life. Villages hold dances and ceremonies, the land dive on Pentecost is the origin of bungee jumping, and on Tanna you can stand on the rim of Mount Yasur, one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world. The islands are Melanesian, relaxed and friendly, and the water is clear and warm.

Efate and Port Vila

The capital, Port Vila, sits on Efate, with a harbor, a market, French-influenced restaurants and a lively waterfront. The best small hotels are villa resorts along the coast, a short drive away, and island resorts reached by short boat rides, such as Erakor and Iririki in the lagoon. Lelepa and the nearby islets are day-trip and snorkeling spots.

Espiritu Santo

Vanuatu's largest island has the beaches of its northeast coast, the blue holes of the Matevulu and Nokuku, and some of the best wreck diving in the world, including the SS President Coolidge. Luganville is the base, with a boutique hotel and several beachfront resorts and eco retreats along the coast.

The outer islands

Tanna, Pentecost and Malekula are visited for their culture and landscapes, with simple village bungalows run by local families. Facilities are basic and transport is by small plane or boat.

When to go

The cooler dry season from May to October is the most comfortable. Cyclones are a risk from November to April.