10 reasons to visit Vanuatu

1. Climate

Escape the New Zealand and Australian winter! 

Vanuatu ranges from a typical tropical climate in the north to an almost subtropical climate in the South. The rainy season is from November to March/April with an average temperature during this period of 28°C and you can expect it to be hot, wet and humid. This is also tropical cyclone time as the Northerly quarter winds push down tropical depressions.

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Between 1970 and 1985 Vanuatu was 29 tropical cyclones and on average locals expect a decent one every other year. While the southeast trade winds blow steadily all year, and are often stronger April through October, generally it is calmer from April to October with the temperature averaging 24°C.

And that’s very pleasant if you’re escaping the NZ or Australian winter. Sea temperatures range from around 28 degrees in summer to 22 in winter. The southernmost subtropical islands are less vulnerable to tropical cyclones have a drier, cooler climate than the islands north of Efate.

2. Fishing

Catch blue marlin, giant trevally, dogtooth & yellowfin  tuna, wahoo and mahimahi. 

[Mahimahi fishing in Vanuatu] Vanuatu is less than 3 hours by plane from Auckland and is made up of a series of 83 islands which ascend out of the phenomenal depths of the Pacific Ocean.

Perched on the edge of the Pacific plate, there are seamounts that rise to within 5m of the surface from depths of 1000m and you can be in over 1000m of water within 1km of the shore.

That means that there's some excellent pelagic fishing practically on your doorstep when you're in Vanuatu.

You can choose to stay in Port Vila and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities there, or from the island of Santo where you can enjoy some awesome fishing and hospitality.

There is good charter infrastructure in Vila and a reasonable selection of larger boats. On Santo there are more limited options and it pays to do some research as businesses come and go, but there are a number of ex-pat operators with trailer boats who will give you a great day out on the water.

[Dogtooth Tuna on a popper in Vanuatu] Vanuatu is home to at least six species of billfish; broadbill swordfish and short-billed spearfish (however, these are quite rare),sailfish, plus striped, black and blue marlin, which are common.

You'll also be likely to encounter yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi , wahoo, Spanish mackerel, dogtooth tuna, coral trout, job fish and red bass.

In season, blue marlin congregate along the edge of the trench known locally as “The Marlin Highway”, and on a good day you'll likely have action from several blues which generally fall in thel range from 100-400kg. Dogtooth and sailfish can get up to around the 90kg mark.

Giant Trevally abound as do skipjack, and those shimmering green dynamos, mahi-mahi. Red bass, coral trout, big job fish, mangrove jack and a host of bottom dwelling species are found in abundance and can provide excellent sport on lighter gear

The FADs (manmade deep water floating rafts) are virtually on your doorstep both in Vila and Santo and provide an amazing array of species and some excellent fishing.

3. Dive the SS President Coolidge

4. See the giant banyan trees

5. Have the adrenalin rush of abseiling down a waterfall.

6. Culture

Experience the cultural ceremonies and dances on many of the remote island of Vanuatu.

7. Parasail over the Mele harbour

8. See the bungee jumpers on the island of Pentacost

9. Snorkel and swim on remote pristine beaches.

10. Visit a live volcano on Tanna island.

 

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