What is the best time to visit Vanuatu?

Best Time to Visit Vanuatu

The best time to travel to Vanuatu is during the dry season (May to October) and the shoulder season (April and November).

Dry Season in Vanuatu

The dry season in Vanuatu runs from May to October and is the best time to visit. The weather is sunny and dry, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. This is the ideal time to explore the country’s many beaches and take part in outdoor activities such as snorkeling and diving. The dry season also coincides with the Vanuatu Cultural Festival, which takes place in June and is the country’s largest annual event.

Shoulder Season in Vanuatu

The shoulder season in Vanuatu runs from April and November and is a good time to visit. The weather is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. This is a great time to explore the country’s many beaches and take part in outdoor activities such as snorkeling and diving. The shoulder season also coincides with the Vanuatu Cultural Festival, which takes place in June and is the country’s largest annual event.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Vanuatu

Vanuatu in January

Weather

January is the start of the hot and humid rainy season in Vanuatu. Temperatures range from 25-30°C (77-86°F) and the humidity is high. Rainfall is common throughout the month, with an average of 6-7 days of rain per week.

Events

• The Vanuatu Independence Day is celebrated on July 30th. This is a public holiday with parades, music, and traditional dancing.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in January. This festival celebrates the many cultures of Vanuatu, with traditional music, dancing, and food.
• The Vanuatu Marathon is held in January. This is a 26.2 mile race that takes place on the island of Efate.
• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held in January. This festival features international and local musicians performing a variety of genres.
• The Vanuatu Kava Festival is held in January. This is a celebration of the traditional drink of Vanuatu, with kava tastings, traditional music, and dancing.

Vanuatu in January

Weather

January is the hottest month in Vanuatu, with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F). The humidity is high and there is a chance of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The Pacific Arts Festival is held in Vanuatu in January. It is a celebration of the unique culture of the Pacific Islands, featuring traditional music, dance, and art.
• The Festival of the Whale is held in January in the town of Luganville. It is a celebration of the humpback whales that migrate to the waters around Vanuatu each year.
• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held in January in the capital city of Port Vila. It is a celebration of music from around the world, featuring performances from local and international artists.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in January in the town of Port Vila. It is a celebration of the unique culture of Vanuatu, featuring traditional music, dance, and art.
• The Vanuatu Kava Festival is held in January in the town of Port Vila. It is a celebration of the traditional drink of Vanuatu, featuring kava tastings, kava-making demonstrations, and traditional music and dance.

Vanuatu in March

Weather

March in Vanuatu is the transition month between the dry and wet season. The average temperature is around 27°C (80°F) with lows of 24°C (75°F) and highs of 30°C (86°F). The humidity is high and there is a chance of showers throughout the month.

Events

• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in the capital of Port Vila in late March. This festival celebrates the unique cultures of the 83 islands that make up Vanuatu. Visitors can experience traditional dances, music, and food.
• The Vanuatu International Food Festival is held in early March. This festival showcases the unique flavors of the islands through food and beverage tastings, cooking demonstrations, and more.
• The Vanuatu Music Festival is held in late March. This festival is a celebration of music from around the world, with performances by local and international artists.
• The Vanuatu Kava Festival is held in early March. This festival celebrates the traditional drink of kava with tastings, competitions, and more.
• The Vanuatu National Arts Festival is held in late March. This festival celebrates the unique art of the islands through performances, workshops, and exhibitions.

Vanuatu in April

Weather

April is the start of the dry season in Vanuatu. Temperatures are warm and humid, with highs of around 28°C and lows of 22°C. The rainy season is over, and the days are mostly sunny with occasional showers.

Events

• The Pentecost Festival is held in the North Pentecost village of Loltong. This festival celebrates the traditional customs of the island, with traditional dancing, music, and feasting.
• The annual Vanuatu Cultural Festival takes place in Port Vila. This festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the various ethnic groups in Vanuatu, with performances, traditional food, and art displays.
• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held in Port Vila. This festival showcases the best of Vanuatu’s musical talent, with performances from local and international artists.
• The Vanuatu Independence Day celebrations take place in Port Vila. This day marks the anniversary of Vanuatu’s independence from France and the United Kingdom in 1980. There are parades, fireworks, and traditional ceremonies held throughout the day.
• The Tanna Island Festival is held in the village of Yakel. This festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the island, with traditional dancing, music, and feasting.

Vanuatu in May

Weather

May is the beginning of the dry season in Vanuatu. The temperatures are warm and sunny, with average highs of around 27-29°C and lows of 18-20°C. Rainfall is minimal, with only about 10-15mm of rain falling throughout the month.

Events

• The Festival of the Children is celebrated in the first week of May. This festival celebrates the importance of children in the community and includes traditional dances, music, and other activities.
• The International Food Festival is held in the second week of May. This festival celebrates the diversity of Vanuatu’s cuisine and features food from all over the world.
• The Festival of the Sea is held in the third week of May. This festival celebrates the importance of the ocean to the people of Vanuatu and includes traditional dances, music, and other activities.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in the fourth week of May. This festival celebrates the diversity of Vanuatu’s culture and includes traditional dances, music, and other activities.
• The Vanuatu Independence Day is celebrated on the 30th of May. This day celebrates the independence of Vanuatu from the United Kingdom and France in 1980.

Vanuatu in June

Weather

June in Vanuatu is usually warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 24-31°C (75-88°F). The days are usually sunny and the evenings are balmy. Rainfall is common, especially during the second half of the month.

Events

• The annual Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in June, usually on the first weekend of the month. This festival celebrates the country’s unique culture with traditional music, dance, food, and art.
• The Vanuatu Independence Day is celebrated on July 30th each year. This is a national holiday, and festivities include parades, fireworks, and other events.
• The Vanuatu Music Festival is held in June every year. This event showcases the country’s diverse musical talent, and features performances from local and international artists.
• The Vanuatu International Film Festival is held in June each year. This event showcases the best in local and international film, and includes screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
• The Vanuatu International Trade Fair is held in June each year. This event showcases the country’s trade and investment opportunities, and features exhibitors from around the world.

Vanuatu in July

Weather

July is the start of the dry season in Vanuatu, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius. The days are mostly sunny, with occasional showers in the evening. Humidity is high, and the UV index is moderate.

Events

• The Independence Day celebrations are held in July, commemorating Vanuatu’s independence from France and the United Kingdom in 1980. The celebrations include a variety of cultural events, such as traditional dances, music, and food.
• The Vanuatu International Food Festival is held in July, showcasing the best of Vanuatu’s local cuisine. The festival features cooking demonstrations, food stalls, and live music.
• The Vanuatu Tourism Expo is held in July, showcasing the best of Vanuatu’s tourist attractions. The expo features a variety of activities, such as cultural performances, art exhibitions, and interactive workshops.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in July, celebrating the island’s unique culture and heritage. The festival includes traditional dances, music, and food.
• The Vanuatu International Film Festival is held in July, showcasing the best of Vanuatu’s film industry. The festival features screenings of local films, as well as panel discussions and workshops.

Vanuatu in August

Weather

August is the peak of the dry season in Vanuatu. Temperatures remain high throughout the month, ranging from 25-30°C (77-86°F). Humidity is low and the skies are usually clear and sunny.

Events

• The Port Vila Craft Market is held every Saturday throughout August. Here, visitors can purchase handmade souvenirs and local crafts from the vendors.
• The Independence Day celebration is held on the 30th of August. This is a public holiday in Vanuatu, and is celebrated with parades, music, and traditional dancing.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival takes place during the first week of August. This is a large celebration of the culture and traditions of Vanuatu, with performances, exhibitions, and traditional food.
• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held during the second week of August. This is a celebration of music from around the world, with performances from local and international artists.
• The Vanuatu National Games are held during the last week of August. This is a large sporting event, with competitions in a variety of sports such as volleyball, football, and basketball.

Vanuatu in September

Weather

September is the beginning of the dry season in Vanuatu, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. The humidity is relatively low, and there is usually no rain during this month.

Events

• The Pacific Arts Festival is held in Port Vila. This festival celebrates the culture of the Pacific Islands, and features traditional music, dance, and art.
• The National Eel Festival is held in Luganville. This festival celebrates the traditional eel fishing of the island, and includes traditional dances, music, and feasts.
• The Vanuatu National Day is celebrated on the 30th of September. This day celebrates the independence of the country, and features parades, music, and fireworks.
• The Port Vila International Music Festival is held in Port Vila. This festival features international acts, as well as traditional music and dance from the island.
• The Vanuatu Kava Festival is held in Port Vila. This festival celebrates the traditional kava drink of the island, and includes traditional music, dance, and food.

Vanuatu in October

Weather

October is the beginning of the dry season in Vanuatu, with temperatures ranging from 24-30°C (75-86°F). It is usually sunny, with occasional showers. The humidity is usually high, but the days are usually quite pleasant.

Events

• The Festival of the First Fruits takes place in October. This is a traditional festival that celebrates the first harvest of the year. It is celebrated with traditional music, dancing, and feasting.
• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held in October. This festival features performances from local and international artists, as well as workshops and masterclasses.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in October. This festival celebrates the culture of Vanuatu, with traditional music, dancing, and crafts.
• The Vanuatu National Day is celebrated in October. This is a day of celebration for the people of Vanuatu, with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.
• The Vanuatu International Film Festival is held in October. This festival showcases the best of local and international films, with screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.

Vanuatu in November

Weather

November is the start of the wet season in Vanuatu. Temperatures range from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (mid-20s to mid-30s Celsius). Humidity is high and rainfall is frequent.

Events

• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in Port Vila in November. The festival celebrates the culture of Vanuatu with traditional singing, dancing, and food.
• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held in November. The festival features local and international artists performing a variety of genres, from jazz to reggae to rock.
• The Vanuatu Independence Day is celebrated on July 30th. The day marks the independence of Vanuatu from France and the United Kingdom in 1980.
• The Vanuatu International Film Festival is held in November. The festival showcases a variety of films from around the world, including feature films, documentaries, and short films.
• The Vanuatu National Sports Festival is held in November. The festival features a variety of sports, including soccer, rugby, volleyball, and cricket.

Vanuatu in December

Weather

December in Vanuatu is a hot and humid month, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit. The average rainfall is around 10 inches, with the rainiest days typically occurring in the second half of the month. The humidity is high, and the ocean waters are warm and inviting.

Events

• The Vanuatu International Music Festival is held in December each year. The festival features a variety of musical performances from around the world, as well as local artists.
• The Vanuatu Cultural Festival is held in December each year. This festival showcases the unique culture of Vanuatu, with traditional music, dance, and art.
• The Vanuatu National Agricultural Show is held in December each year. This show features displays of local produce, as well as demonstrations of traditional farming techniques.
• The Vanuatu International Film Festival is held in December each year. This festival showcases the best of international and local films.
• The Vanuatu International Food Festival is held in December each year. This festival features a variety of local and international cuisines, as well as cooking demonstrations.