Things to Do in Vanuatu in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Vanuatu
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak cyclone season means genuinely lower prices - accommodations run 20-30% cheaper than June-August, and you can actually negotiate walk-in rates at mid-range resorts since occupancy hovers around 40-50%
- The ocean is bathwater warm at 28-29°C (82-84°F) and visibility for diving is surprisingly excellent at 25-30m (82-98 ft) despite the rain - the wet season brings nutrients that attract manta rays and whale sharks to sites around Espiritu Santo
- Fruit season is absolutely peak - you'll find the best mangoes, pamplemousse, and passionfruit at Port Vila markets, and locals are harvesting yams for kastom ceremonies which means more traditional feasts happening in villages
- Fewer tourists means you get more authentic interactions - village visits feel less performative, and you can have snorkeling sites like Champagne Beach essentially to yourself on weekdays
Considerations
- Cyclone risk is real in February - statistically it's the second-highest risk month after March, with an average of 1-2 systems affecting Vanuatu waters, which can shut down inter-island flights and ferries for 2-4 days at a time
- Inter-island travel becomes genuinely unpredictable - small plane flights to Tanna or Santo get cancelled regularly when weather rolls in, and there's no backup schedule until conditions clear, which can blow up tight itineraries
- The humidity is the sticky, oppressive kind that makes you shower twice daily - at 70% combined with temperatures around 30°C (86°F), cotton clothing stays damp and camera lenses fog up constantly when moving between air-con and outdoors
Best Activities in February
Mount Yasur volcano night viewing on Tanna Island
February is actually one of the better months for Yasur despite being wet season - the volcano tends to be more active with dramatic strombolian eruptions every 3-5 minutes, and evening viewing sessions around 6-8pm usually happen between rain bands. The ash plain is muddy but passable in 4WD trucks. Activity levels vary but have been consistently high lately. The dramatic clouds at sunset create incredible backdrops for the lava fountains that can reach 100-200m (328-656 ft) high.
Blue hole swimming and waterfall exploration
The blue holes around Espiritu Santo and Efate are actually at their most spectacular in February - recent rains keep water levels high and the electric blue color intensifies with cloud cover filtering the light. Nanda Blue Hole and Matevulu Blue Hole on Santo are both easily accessible, water temperature sits around 23-24°C (73-75°F) which feels refreshing in the humid air, and you can swim beneath small waterfalls. Weekday mornings before 10am you might have these spots completely alone.
SS President Coolidge wreck diving
February offers some of the year's best diving conditions on this famous WWII wreck off Santo - visibility frequently hits 25-30m (82-98 ft), water temperature is a comfortable 28°C (82°F) requiring only a 3mm shorty, and the wet season plankton bloom attracts massive schools of barracuda and jacks that circle the superstructure. The wreck sits at 20-70m (66-230 ft) depth with multiple penetration options. Surface conditions can be choppy but the dive site is protected enough that trips rarely cancel.
Port Vila market and kava bar cultural evenings
February is prime time for Port Vila's main market as it's peak harvest season - you'll find the best selection of tropical fruits, root vegetables, and handwoven pandanus baskets. The market operates Tuesday-Saturday from 6am-5pm but go before 9am for the full experience when outer island boats arrive with produce. Follow up with authentic kava sessions at nakamals around town from 5pm onwards - February evenings are warm enough that sitting at these basic outdoor bars feels comfortable, and you'll meet locals unwinding after work. The kava is fresh and potent at 200-300 vatu per shell.
Traditional village stays and kastom ceremonies
February timing coincides with yam harvest ceremonies in many Tanna and Pentecost villages - these are genuine cultural events, not tourist shows, though respectful visitors are usually welcome with advance arrangement. Village homestays become more appealing in February since the heat makes simple bungalows without air-con feel less oppressive than in hotter months. You'll sleep in traditional leaf houses, eat laplap cooked in earth ovens, and potentially witness circumcision or grade-taking ceremonies if your timing aligns.
Snorkeling at marine sanctuaries and coral gardens
February snorkeling is genuinely excellent despite being wet season - water visibility ranges 15-25m (49-82 ft) at protected sites, the warm 28°C (82°F) water means you can stay in for hours with just a rashguard, and hard coral spawning events sometimes occur in late February creating surreal underwater snowstorm effects. Hideaway Island Marine Sanctuary near Port Vila and Million Dollar Point on Santo both offer easy shore access with rich coral and fish life. Morning sessions typically have calmer water before afternoon sea breezes pick up.
February Events & Festivals
Yam harvest festivals across Tanna villages
Late February through early March marks traditional yam harvest ceremonies in many Tanna communities - these involve kastom dancing, pig sacrifices, and elaborate feasts where families display their largest yams as status symbols. These are not scheduled tourist events but genuine cultural practices. If you're staying in villages or have arranged cultural tours, you might be invited to observe or participate. The ceremonies vary by village and specific dates depend on when elders determine yams are ready.