Things to Do in Iririki Island

Iririki Island sits like a green jewel in Port Vila's harbor, connected to Vanuatu's capital by a complimentary ferry that runs every few minutes. This small resort island offers an interesting contrast - you're technically on a private island with pristine beaches and tropical gardens, yet downtown Port Vila is literally a three-minute boat ride away. The island manages to feel both secluded and accessible, which is actually quite rare in the Pacific. What makes Iririki Island particularly appealing is how it serves as both a destination and a base. You can spend your morning snorkeling in crystal-clear waters around the island, have lunch at one of the resort's restaurants, then hop the ferry to explore Port Vila's markets and cultural sites in the afternoon. The island itself is small enough to walk around in about 30 minutes, but there's something genuinely relaxing about being surrounded by water while still having easy access to urban amenities when you want them.

Dining on Iririki Island centers around the resort's restaurants, which actually offer more variety than you might expect for an island this size. The main restaurant serves a mix of international and Pacific cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood, while the poolside grill handles more casual fare during the day. What's nice is that you're not stuck on the island for meals - the quick ferry connection means you can easily head into Port Vila for dinner at local restaurants, then return to the island for the night. The resort also offers traditional lap lap cooking demonstrations and island-style barbecues a few times per week.

Iririki Island works well year-round, though the dry season from May to October offers the most consistently pleasant weather with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. That said, even during the wet season (November to April), rain typically comes in short, heavy bursts rather than all-day downpours, and temperatures stay warm enough for swimming. The trade-off is that wet season brings lusher vegetation and fewer crowds, plus accommodation rates tend to be lower. Cyclone season runs roughly December through March, though direct hits on Vanuatu are relatively rare.