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Banks Islands, Vanuatu - Things to Do in Banks Islands

Things to Do in Banks Islands

Banks Islands, Vanuatu - Complete Travel Guide

The Banks Islands represent one of Vanuatu's most remote and pristine archipelagos, consisting of 13 volcanic islands scattered across the northern reaches of this Pacific nation. These islands offer an authentic glimpse into traditional Melanesian culture, with communities that have maintained their ancestral ways of life for centuries. The largest islands, Vanua Lava and Gaua, feature dramatic volcanic landscapes, while smaller atolls like Rowa and Kwakea provide intimate tropical experiences surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Visitors to the Banks Islands will discover a world largely untouched by mass tourism, where traditional ceremonies, ancient languages, and subsistence lifestyles continue to thrive. The islands are renowned for their exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities, pristine beaches, and the warmth of local communities who welcome visitors as honored guests. This destination appeals to adventurous travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences and unspoiled natural beauty in one of the Pacific's last frontier destinations.

Top Things to Do in Banks Islands

Traditional Village Cultural Immersion

Experience authentic Melanesian culture by staying with local families in traditional villages across Vanua Lava or Gaua. Participate in daily activities like fishing, gardening, and food preparation while learning about ancient customs, traditional medicine, and local crafts. These immersive experiences often include witnessing traditional ceremonies, learning local languages, and understanding the complex social structures that have governed island life for generations.

Booking Tip: Arrange village stays through local guesthouses or the Vanuatu Tourism Office for around $30-50 per day including meals. Best experienced during dry season (May-October) when weather is more predictable. Look for operators who work directly with village chiefs and ensure fair compensation for communities.

Volcanic Crater and Hot Springs Exploration

Trek to the active volcanic craters on Gaua Island, including the impressive Lake Letas, one of the world's largest volcanic lakes. The journey involves hiking through lush rainforest and volcanic terrain to reach steaming crater rims with panoramic views. Natural hot springs near volcanic areas provide relaxing soaks after challenging hikes, with mineral-rich waters believed to have therapeutic properties.

Booking Tip: Hire local guides for $40-60 per day as trails are unmarked and terrain can be challenging. Best attempted during dry season with proper hiking gear. Ensure guides are familiar with current volcanic activity levels and have emergency communication equipment.

Pristine Reef Diving and Snorkeling

Explore some of the Pacific's most untouched coral reefs surrounding the Banks Islands, featuring vibrant hard and soft corals, diverse fish species, and excellent visibility. Dive sites include dramatic drop-offs, underwater caves, and pristine coral gardens that remain largely unexplored by commercial diving operations. The remote location means encounters with large pelagic species like sharks, rays, and tuna are common.

Booking Tip: Bring your own equipment as rental options are extremely limited. Arrange boat trips through local operators for $80-120 per day. Best diving conditions occur April-November with visibility often exceeding 40 meters. Ensure operators have proper safety equipment and marine park permits.

Traditional Outrigger Canoe Sailing

Learn traditional Melanesian sailing techniques aboard handcrafted outrigger canoes, exploring hidden coves, secluded beaches, and small uninhabited islands. Local fishermen teach ancient navigation methods using stars, currents, and wildlife patterns while sharing stories of inter-island voyaging traditions. These peaceful journeys offer opportunities to spot dolphins, sea turtles, and tropical seabirds.

Booking Tip: Arrange through village contacts for $25-40 per half-day including instruction. Best during calm weather periods with light to moderate winds. Look for experienced local sailors who can provide safety equipment and have knowledge of local weather patterns and sea conditions.

Remote Island Camping and Beach Exploration

Camp on uninhabited islands and pristine beaches accessible only by boat, experiencing complete isolation surrounded by turquoise waters and untouched tropical landscapes. These multi-day adventures include beachcombing, shell collecting, and exploring tidal pools while enjoying spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Night skies offer incredible stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution.

Booking Tip: Bring all camping equipment and supplies as nothing is available on remote islands. Arrange boat transport for $100-150 per day including camping permits. Best during dry season with calm seas. Ensure reliable boat operators with GPS and emergency communication equipment for safety.

Getting There

Reaching the Banks Islands requires careful planning as commercial flights are limited and irregular. Air Vanuatu operates small aircraft from Port Vila to Sola Airport on Vanua Lava, typically 2-3 times per week depending on weather and demand, with flights taking approximately 2 hours and costing $300-400 return. Alternatively, cargo ships and inter-island ferries provide more affordable but slower transportation from Luganville (Santo) or Port Vila, with journeys taking 12-24 hours and costing around $50-80 per person. Weather conditions significantly impact all transportation schedules, so flexible travel plans are essential.

Getting Around

Transportation within the Banks Islands is basic and relies primarily on local boats, walking, and occasional 4WD vehicles on larger islands. Inter-island travel depends on small motorboats operated by locals, with costs ranging from $20-60 depending on distance and weather conditions. On Vanua Lava and Gaua, rough dirt roads connect some villages, but many areas are accessible only on foot via traditional walking tracks. Most accommodations can arrange local transportation, but visitors should expect irregular schedules and weather-dependent services. Bringing sturdy walking shoes and being prepared for basic transportation conditions is essential.

Where to Stay

Sola village guesthouses
Traditional village homestays
Gaua Island family accommodations
Motalava Island lodges
Vanua Lava beachside bungalows
Remote island camping sites

Food & Dining

Dining in the Banks Islands centers around fresh local ingredients and traditional Melanesian cuisine prepared by village families and small guesthouses. Meals typically feature freshly caught fish, tropical fruits, root vegetables like taro and yam, and coconut-based dishes cooked in traditional earth ovens called 'laplap'. Most accommodations include meals in their rates, offering authentic home-cooked food served family-style. There are no restaurants in the conventional sense, but village markets provide fresh produce, and some communities prepare special feast meals for visitors featuring local delicacies like flying fox, coconut crab, and various tropical fruits. Visitors should be prepared for simple, hearty meals that reflect the islands' subsistence lifestyle and abundant natural resources.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Vanuatu

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

The Beach Bar

4.5 /5
(524 reviews)

The Stonegrill Restaurant

4.7 /5
(427 reviews)

Tamanu on the beach

4.7 /5
(214 reviews)
lodging spa

SWAGAT RESTAURANT NADI

4.6 /5
(208 reviews)

Three Pigs

4.5 /5
(167 reviews)
bar

Tanna Coffee

4.6 /5
(150 reviews)
cafe store

When to Visit

The ideal time to visit the Banks Islands is during the dry season from May through October, when rainfall is reduced, humidity is lower, and sea conditions are generally calmer for boat travel and diving. This period offers the most reliable weather for outdoor activities, hiking, and inter-island transportation, with average temperatures ranging from 24-28°C (75-82°F). The wet season from November to April brings higher rainfall, increased humidity, and potential cyclone activity, though this period also offers lush landscapes and fewer visitors. However, transportation can be severely disrupted during wet season, making the dry months essential for reliable travel plans and outdoor adventures.

Insider Tips

Bring a comprehensive first aid kit and any necessary medications as medical facilities are extremely basic and evacuations are expensive and weather-dependent
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, insect repellent, and water purification tablets as these items are unavailable locally and essential for comfort and health
Learn basic Bislama phrases and bring small gifts like school supplies or fishing equipment to share with village communities as tokens of respect and appreciation

Explore Activities in Banks Islands