Things to Do in Vanuatu in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Vanuatu
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- December sits right at the beginning of the dry season, meaning you get that sweet spot where rain is clearing out but crowds haven't fully arrived yet. You'll typically see brief afternoon showers maybe 10 days out of the month, but they're the kind that blow through in 30 minutes rather than washing out your entire day.
- The ocean visibility is exceptional during December - usually 25-30m (82-98 feet) - making it genuinely one of the best months for diving and snorkeling. The water temperature hovers around 27°C (81°F), which is warm enough that you won't need a thick wetsuit but cool enough that marine life is active.
- December catches the tail end of turtle nesting season on certain beaches, particularly around Erakor Island and the eastern coast of Efate. If you time it right in early December, you might actually witness hatchlings making their way to the ocean at dawn - something that becomes increasingly rare as the month progresses.
- The mangoes and tropical fruits are at their absolute peak in December. Local markets overflow with varieties you won't find exported - the stringless mangoes alone are worth the trip. It's also when you'll find the freshest coconut crabs at village feasts, though they're becoming increasingly regulated for conservation reasons.
Considerations
- December is technically the start of cyclone season, which runs November through April. While December itself tends to be relatively calm compared to January-March, you're still looking at unpredictable weather patterns. Flight cancellations and boat tour disruptions happen, and travel insurance that covers weather-related changes becomes non-negotiable.
- Accommodation prices start climbing from around December 15th onward as Australian and New Zealand families book their summer holidays. You're looking at rates that can jump 30-40% compared to early December, and the best beachfront bungalows on Espiritu Santo get booked out months in advance for the Christmas-New Year period.
- The humidity combined with 30°C (86°F) temperatures creates that sticky, energy-sapping heat that hits you the moment you step outside. If you're not accustomed to tropical climates, you'll find yourself needing frequent breaks, drinking way more water than expected, and potentially dealing with heat rash in areas where clothing rubs. The UV index of 8 means you'll burn in under 20 minutes without protection.
Best Activities in December
Blue Hole and Millennium Cave expeditions
December offers ideal conditions for these freshwater adventures because water levels are still high from the wet season but not dangerously so. The Millennium Cave trek involves river crossings and swimming through limestone gorges - in December, the water is crystal clear and flowing steadily without the flash flood risk you get later in the wet season. The hike takes 4-5 hours return and includes some genuinely challenging sections with rope assists, but the payoff is swimming in cathedral-like cave chambers. Similarly, the various blue holes around Espiritu Santo and Efate are at their most photogenic in December when sunlight penetrates the clear water.
Mount Yasur volcano night viewing
December is actually one of the better months for Mount Yasur because the drier weather means clearer visibility and safer access roads. The volcano on Tanna Island is one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes - you literally drive to within 150m (492 feet) of the crater rim. Night visits are spectacular in December because the lack of cloud cover means you see the lava bombs arcing against the stars. The volcano goes through activity phases, and December tends to fall during moderate activity periods where it's dramatic enough to be impressive but not so active that access gets restricted. The experience takes about 3-4 hours including the drive from the main village areas.
Island-hopping sailing around the Maskelyne Islands
December brings consistent southeast trade winds at 10-15 knots, creating perfect sailing conditions without the stronger gusts you get mid-dry season. The Maskelyne Islands off southwest Malekula offer some of Vanuatu's most pristine sailing with protected anchorages and virtually no other tourists. You'll sail between traditional villages where life continues much as it has for centuries - expect to participate in kava ceremonies and witness traditional fishing techniques. The water clarity in December makes it ideal for snorkeling directly off the boat, and you'll often spot dugongs in the seagrass beds. Full-day trips typically run 8am-4pm, while multi-day charters allow for deeper cultural immersion.
Port Vila market and kastom village cultural experiences
December coincides with harvest season for many tropical fruits and root vegetables, making the Port Vila market genuinely worth visiting rather than just a tourist checkbox. You'll find produce varieties that don't exist anywhere else - try the island cabbage, snake beans, and about seven different types of bananas. The market operates Tuesday through Saturday with Friday being the biggest day when outer island boats arrive with their goods. Pairing market visits with nearby kastom villages like Ekasup or Erakor creates a full cultural day. These villages demonstrate traditional building techniques, weaving, and cooking methods, though be aware they're somewhat staged for tourists. Still, the demonstrations are authentic techniques, and you're directly supporting communities.
SS President Coolidge wreck diving
This WWII luxury liner turned troopship is one of the world's most accessible large wreck dives, and December offers the best visibility of the year at 25-30m (82-98 feet). The ship sits in 21-70m (69-230 feet) of water off Espiritu Santo, meaning there are sections suitable for every certification level from Open Water to technical divers. In December, the water temperature at 27°C (81°F) means you can dive comfortably in a 3mm wetsuit for multiple dives per day. The wreck is massive - you could do 20 dives and still not see everything - with highlights including the Lady, a porcelain figurine that's become iconic, and the medical facility with intact equipment. Most divers do 2-3 dives over 1-2 days.
Pentecost land diving observation
While the main land diving season runs April-June, some southern Pentecost villages continue performing jumps into December for cultural festivals and special requests. This is the original bungee jump - men leap from wooden towers 20-30m (66-98 feet) high with only forest vines tied to their ankles. December jumps are less frequent and more weather-dependent than peak season, but when they happen, you're often the only visitors present rather than part of a large tour group. The ceremony involves traditional dancing and kastom rituals that provide context for what appears to outsiders as pure adrenaline sport but holds deep cultural significance around yam harvest and male initiation.
December Events & Festivals
Christmas celebrations with a Melanesian twist
Christmas in Vanuatu blends Christianity with traditional kastom in fascinating ways. Villages throughout the islands hold massive feasts on Christmas Day featuring laplap, coconut crab, and roasted pig cooked in earth ovens. Many communities perform traditional string band music - a unique Vanuatu style using guitars, ukuleles, and bamboo percussion - mixed with Christmas carols in Bislama. Church services on Christmas Eve often run past midnight and include traditional dancing. For visitors, some resorts organize community visits where you can participate in feasts, though this requires respectful engagement and usually involves bringing a contribution like kava or store-bought goods worth 2,000-3,000 VUV.
New Year village celebrations and custom ceremonies
New Year's Eve in Vanuatu happens on island time, meaning celebrations vary wildly by location. Port Vila has beach parties and resort events, but the more interesting experiences happen in villages where communities gather for kava ceremonies, traditional dancing, and all-night singing. Some outer islands perform grade-taking ceremonies around New Year - complex rituals where men advance in traditional rank systems through pig sacrifices and elaborate feasts. These aren't tourist events but genuine cultural practices, and witnessing them requires proper introductions through established contacts and significant custom fee payments. New Year's Day itself tends to be quiet as everyone recovers from the previous night.