Things to Do in Vanuatu in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Vanuatu
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + December teeters on the edge of cyclone season, afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast, dump their load, and vanish within 30 minutes, leaving beaches steamy and gloriously empty for sunset swims at 6 PM
- + Whale season hits its stride through early December, humpbacks glide past Efate's southern coast so close you can spot them from Hideaway Island's pier, a sight that disappears after mid-month
- + Village yam harvest festivals erupt across Tanna and Malekula, where locals bury whole pigs underground and pass around kava that tastes like peppery earth, tourists get welcomed without anyone expecting payment
- + Hotel rooms suddenly appear before the Christmas stampede, those waterfront bungalows at Erakor Lagoon that demand 3-month advance booking in August now take walk-ins the same week
- − Afternoon humidity locks in at 70% and slaps you like walking into a sauna, your cotton shirt glues to your back within 30 seconds of leaving air-conditioning
- − Outer island transport turns dicey, boats to Pentecost for land diving cancel when swells top 2 m (6.6 ft), leaving you stuck an extra day
- − Cyclone risk climbs after December 15, while direct hits stay rare, weather patterns shift and operators start insisting on flexible booking policies
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December's water temperature peaks at 28°C (82°F) with 20 m (66 ft) visibility, good for drift snorkeling above coral gardens. Morning sessions between 7-10 AM dodge both crowds and afternoon storms. The underwater post office at Hideaway Island runs daily, and Tranquility Island's resident sea turtles haven't left for breeding season yet.
Yasur Volcano cranks up eruptions before wet season, December gives you the best odds of watching lava fountains hit 150 m (492 ft) without tour cancellations. Night treks launch at 4 PM to reach the rim for sunset explosions, with ash drifting down like warm snowflakes that reek of sulfur. Village accommodation serves yam and coconut steamed in volcanic vents
December water clarity maxes out at 30 m (98 ft) before seasonal runoff, good for exploring the SS President Coolidge wreck at 20-70 m (66-230 ft). The troop carrier lies on its side with jeeps still chained in the hold, while tropical fish swarm through the promenade deck. Morning dives skip both afternoon storms and stronger currents that arrive later in wet season
December's tropical bounty spills across the downtown market, purple taro, breadfruit the size of melons, and tiny seviche stalls where lime juice transforms tuna in 3 minutes. Friday night food court gathers Vanuatu's finest: coconut crab from Malekula, flying fox curry from Tanna, and laplap wrapped in banana leaves. Morning visits (6-9 AM) catch fishermen unloading their overnight catch
The original bungee jump runs through December before wet season shuts down tower construction, local men hurl themselves from 20-30 m (66-98 ft) bamboo towers with only vines lashed to their ankles. The ceremony honors yam harvest and sends chanting echoing through jungle valleys. Morning sessions deliver better light for photography and thinner crowds
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
The original bungee ceremony continues through early December on Pentecost Island, watch local men leap from 30 m (98 ft) towers with vines tied to their ankles. Morning sessions kick off at 10 AM with traditional dancing, kava drinking, and the sharp crack of vines snapping tight as divers brush the earth
Packing Checklist
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Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
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