Things to Do in Vanuatu in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Vanuatu
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to July-August peak. You'll find beachfront bungalows on Efate for 8,000-12,000 VUV (67-100 USD) per night that would cost 15,000+ VUV (125+ USD) in winter
- Cyclone season officially ends March 31, so April sits in that sweet spot where the weather stabilizes but tourist crowds haven't arrived yet. Major sites like Mount Yasur and Blue Lagoon typically see 40% fewer visitors than June-August
- Water visibility peaks in April for diving and snorkeling, often reaching 30-40m (98-131 ft) at sites like Million Dollar Point and Cathedral Cave. The wet season runoff has cleared, but the southeast trade winds haven't kicked up the sediment yet
- Local produce markets overflow with post-harvest abundance. You'll find manioc, taro, island cabbage, and tropical fruits at their freshest and cheapest. Port Vila market on Saturdays becomes a genuine feast rather than a tourist photo-op
Considerations
- April sits in the transition period between wet and dry seasons, which means weather patterns can be genuinely unpredictable. You might get three stunning days followed by two days of intermittent rain. This makes planning boat trips to outer islands trickier than the reliable dry season months of June-September
- Some outer island lodges and dive operators close for maintenance during April, particularly on Malekula and southern Pentecost. You'll have maybe 60-70% of services operational compared to peak season. Always confirm bookings directly rather than assuming availability
- Humidity hovers around 70% consistently, which is that sticky level where your clothes never quite feel dry. If you're sensitive to muggy conditions or have respiratory issues, this can wear you down over a week-long trip. The trade winds that make June-August comfortable haven't established yet
Best Activities in April
Mount Yasur Volcano Night Tours
April offers the most reliable viewing conditions for Mount Yasur on Tanna Island. The ash plume stands out dramatically against clearer skies now that cyclone season has passed, and the reduced humidity compared to January-March means better visibility for the strombolian eruptions that happen every 3-8 minutes. You'll typically see 15-25 other visitors at the rim rather than the 50+ crowds in July. The volcano sits at 361m (1,184 ft) elevation, and the final approach involves a 20-minute walk across the ash plain. Tours depart late afternoon to reach the rim by sunset around 5:45pm, giving you the full transition from daylight eruptions to the spectacular nighttime lava fountains.
Espiritu Santo Diving Expeditions
April delivers what many consider the best diving conditions of the year around Santo. The SS President Coolidge wreck sits in 21-70m (69-230 ft) of water with visibility often exceeding 35m (115 ft) this month. Million Dollar Point, where the US military dumped equipment after WWII, becomes an underwater museum in the crystal-clear conditions. Water temperature holds steady at 27-28°C (81-82°F), comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit. The reduced boat traffic means dive sites feel genuinely remote. You'll encounter barracuda schools, reef sharks, and the occasional dugong without competing for position with other divers.
Port Vila Food Market and Cultural Tours
April hits right after the main harvest season, so Port Vila's main market on Kumul Highway becomes the most authentic experience you'll find. Saturday mornings from 6am-10am see ni-Vanuatu families from surrounding villages bringing produce, fresh coconut crabs, and handwoven baskets. The lap lap stalls serve the national dish made with fresh island cabbage and coconut cream that actually tastes like something locals eat, not a tourist approximation. You'll pay 300-500 VUV (2.50-4.20 USD) for a filling plate. The reduced tourist presence in April means vendors engage in actual conversation rather than hard-sell mode. Combine this with visits to the nearby National Museum and Parliament House area for cultural context.
Pentecost Land Diving Preparation and Village Stays
While the famous Naghol land diving happens on Saturdays in April and May, April offers a unique opportunity to visit southern Pentecost villages and watch tower construction. The diving towers take 3-4 weeks to build using cut vines and tree branches, and visiting during construction provides insight into the engineering and kastom rituals that guidebooks miss. Villages like Lonorore and Ranwas welcome visitors during this preparation period. You'll see how men select and test vines for elasticity, how they calculate jump heights based on body weight, and participate in the communal meals that accompany tower building. If you time it for late April, you might catch early test jumps.
Efate Island Coastal Kayaking
April's calmer seas make circumnavigating sections of Efate by kayak genuinely enjoyable rather than an endurance test. The northwest coast from Mele Bay to Pango Point offers protected waters, hidden beaches, and limestone caves accessible only by water. You'll paddle past traditional villages where kids wave from beaches and fishermen check nets in outrigger canoes. The morning sessions from 7am-11am avoid the midday heat, and you're back before any afternoon weather rolls in. Water temperature at 27°C (81°F) means capsizing is refreshing rather than uncomfortable. The reduced wind compared to the dry season months means even novice paddlers can handle the 8-12 km (5-7.5 mile) routes comfortably.
Ambrym Volcanic Crater Trekking
For serious adventure travelers, April offers the most stable conditions for trekking to the active lava lakes on Ambrym Island. The twin craters of Marum and Benbow sit at approximately 1,270m (4,167 ft) elevation, requiring a challenging 6-8 hour round-trip hike through ash plains and volcanic terrain. April's drier conditions mean the ash paths are more stable and the lava glow more visible through reduced atmospheric moisture. You'll camp on the crater rim and wake to sunrise over the lava lake, one of only five permanent lava lakes globally. This is genuinely remote trekking, not a tourist trail with guardrails. Physical fitness and proper gear are non-negotiable.
April Events & Festivals
Pentecost Land Diving Season Opening
Late April marks the beginning of Naghol, the traditional land diving ceremony that inspired modern bungee jumping. Men jump from wooden towers 20-30m (66-98 ft) high with only forest vines tied to their ankles. This isn't a tourist show but a genuine fertility ritual tied to yam harvest. The first jumps of the season carry special significance as they bless the upcoming harvest. Villages in southern Pentecost including Lonorore host ceremonies on Saturdays, weather permitting. You'll witness the full kastom ceremony including traditional dancing, pig sacrifices, and community feasting.