Outer Islands

Provincial Tourism Offices

The Outer Island Division provides coordination and facilitation in the implementation of the six Provincial Tourism Development Plans. Each local government council has its own tourism plans, a strategic tourism plan for the period of 10 years. An additional two Municipal Beautification Plans, for Port Vila and Luganville town, are yet to be developed. These two plans will be more specific on developing and beautifying urban centres for visitors and locals.

Tourism operators in the provinces group themselves into Area Tourism Associations, Provincial Tourism Associations and Local Government Tourism Councils, and the presidents of the Local Government Tourism Councils are represented at the Tourism Council of Vanuatu, which is chaired by the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Ni-Vanuatu Business.

For adventurous travellers seeking a real Vanuatu experience, travel to the outer islands to experience the real Vanuatu taste in the outer island.

MALAMPA Province

Active volcanoes, cultural festivals and bush hikes are highlights for visitors to MALAMPA Province, which consists of the islands of Malekula, Ambrym and Paama

The province hosts three volcanoes: Mt. Marum and Mt. Benbow of Ambrym's interior and the volcanic island of Lopevie, best viewed from the small island of Paama. Accessibility to the volcanoes is based on their activity levels. More information on the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department website.

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PENAMA Province

The Province is comprised of three islands: Pentecost, Ambae and Maewo. Pentecost is the world famous home of the land diving festival known locally as nagol, which takes place on Saturdays April through June, when the necessary local materials are in season.

Ambae plays host to the live volcano Mt. Monaro Voui, which displaced many communities from the island when it erupted in 2017. Maewo, which is one of Vanuatu's most remote large islands, offers unique cultural festivals, a massive waterfall and challenging hikes to secluded villages.

SANMA Province

SANMA Province is comprised of Vanuatu's largest island Espiritu Santo, and it's surrounding islands, the largest of which are Aore and Malo. The province is easily accessible from Vanuatu's capital, and, during times of unrestricted travel, recieves flights directly from Australia.

SANMA province features stunning natural beachscapes at Port Olry and Champagne Beach and fascinating historical sites such as Million Dollar Point, a WWII marine dump site, and the SS President Coolidge, one of the World's most accessible wreck dives.

SHEFA Province

Vanuatu's capital of Port Vila, located in SHEFA Province, is the primary port of entry for visitors to our shores. While the tourism sector makes up 88% of SHEFA Province's economy, the majority of this activity is concentrated in Port Vila.

SHEFA Province is comprised of 15 islands namely Buninga, Efate, Emae, Emau, Epi, Ifira, Lamen, Lelepa, Makira, Mataso, Nguna, Pele, Tongariki, Tongoa and Lopevi Islands. Among them, visitors will find majestic views of the Shepperds island chain, thriving traditional architecture and wonderful island bungalows.

TAFEA Province

The five main islands comprising TAFEA province are Tanna, Anatom (Aneityum), Futuna, Erromango and Aniwa. Tanna is home to Vanuatu's premier year round tourist attraction: Mt. Yasur, the world's most accessible volcano. Yasur was featured in the Oscar-nominated film Tanna.

The province is a popular cruise ship destination, in particular Mystery Island. TAFEA's remaining islands receive few visitors, but are home to welcoming, traditional ni-Vanuatu communities.

TORBA Province

TORBA Province is comprised of the Torres and Banks island groups, each with their own unique cultures and languages. The province hosts Mt. Gharat on Gaua, a unique volcano which features at its top a lake containing an island and sports many fascinating geothermal features.

Area Council