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Vanuatu - Things to Do in Vanuatu in July

Things to Do in Vanuatu in July

July weather, activities, events & insider tips

July Weather in Vanuatu

26°C (79°F) High Temp
20°C (68°F) Low Temp
127 mm (5 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Advantages

  • Dry season conditions with minimal rainfall - July sits right in the heart of Vanuatu's dry season, meaning you'll typically see those 10 rainy days as brief afternoon showers rather than day-long washouts. The trade winds are consistent, keeping things comfortable despite the humidity.
  • Whale watching season reaches its peak - Humpback whales migrate through Vanuatu waters from June through September, and July offers some of the most reliable sightings, particularly around Efate and Tanna. The calmer seas make boat trips more comfortable than shoulder months.
  • Lower tourist numbers compared to August - You're visiting just before the school holiday rush hits from Australia and New Zealand, which means better availability at accommodations and tour operators, plus 15-20% lower prices on average compared to the following month.
  • Ideal conditions for volcano trekking and outdoor adventures - The drier weather and cooler overnight temperatures (by Vanuatu standards) make July one of the best months for climbing Mount Yasur on Tanna or hiking through rainforest trails without the oppressive heat of October through March.

Considerations

  • Cooler water temperatures might disappoint tropical beach enthusiasts - At 24-25°C (75-77°F), the ocean is noticeably cooler than the 27-28°C (81-82°F) you'd find in December or January. Some visitors find this refreshing, others find it takes away from that warm-water-bath experience they were expecting.
  • Trade winds can be surprisingly strong - While the 20-25 km/h (12-16 mph) winds keep things comfortable on land, they can make some boat transfers choppy and occasionally force cancellations of sailing trips or visits to outer islands. Worth noting if you're prone to seasickness.
  • Limited cultural festival activity - July falls outside the major festival periods like Toka Festival season or Naghol land diving (April-May), so you'll miss some of the more spectacular traditional ceremonies unless you specifically arrange private viewings, which tend to be expensive.

Investigate Other Months

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Best Activities in July

Humpback whale watching tours

July is genuinely one of the two best months for whale watching in Vanuatu, with humpbacks migrating through the channels between islands. The seas are typically calmer than June, and the whales are more active than they'll be by September. Morning departures around 7-8am tend to offer the best visibility and calmest conditions. The combination of dry season weather and peak migration timing means success rates hover around 85-90% for sightings.

Booking Tip: Book 14-21 days ahead through licensed marine operators - prices typically range 8,000-12,000 VUV per person for half-day trips. Look for operators with hydrophone equipment for underwater listening. Tours run 3-4 hours. Check the booking widget below for current departure times and availability.

Mount Yasur volcano night treks

The drier July weather makes the ash plains approach to Mount Yasur much more manageable than wet season months when the track becomes a mud pit. More importantly, the clearer skies mean you'll actually see the lava explosions properly - cloud cover ruins the experience and happens far less frequently in July. The cooler evening temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F) also make the 2-hour round trip hike more comfortable. Yasur is one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes, with eruptions every few minutes.

Booking Tip: Tours typically cost 12,000-18,000 VUV including transport from your accommodation on Tanna. Book 7-10 days ahead. Sunset departures around 4pm are standard, reaching the crater rim by 6pm for optimal viewing. The volcano does occasionally close due to heightened activity - flexible travel insurance helps. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Blue hole and waterfall swimming circuits

July's lower rainfall means the blue holes around Espiritu Santo and Efate are at their most brilliant - less sediment runoff keeps the water that stunning turquoise color. The cooler air temperature makes the initial plunge into 23-24°C (73-75°F) spring water less shocking. Nanda Blue Hole and Matevulu Blue Hole on Santo are particularly spectacular, with rope swings and 5-8 m (16-26 ft) jumps. The dry tracks also mean easier access by vehicle or on foot.

Booking Tip: Most blue holes charge 500-1,000 VUV entry per person. Self-guided visits work fine for the main sites, but guided tours (typically 6,000-9,000 VUV) combine multiple swimming spots and handle logistics. Mornings before 11am see fewer visitors. Tour operators include transport, lunch, and multiple locations - see booking widget for current packages.

Traditional kastom village experiences

July's drier conditions make accessing remote kastom villages much easier - many are reached via rough tracks that become impassable in wet season. Villages like Yakel on Tanna maintain traditional lifestyles and welcome visitors for cultural demonstrations. You'll see traditional housing, watch fire-making and cooking techniques, and learn about custom practices. The cooler weather also means traditional dances are less physically demanding for performers, so you might see longer demonstrations.

Booking Tip: Village visits typically cost 2,000-4,000 VUV per person, usually arranged through your accommodation or local guides. Plan 2-3 hours minimum. Some villages require advance notice for dance performances, which cost extra (around 5,000-8,000 VUV for groups). Modest clothing is essential - knees and shoulders covered. Check booking section below for organized cultural tours.

Snorkeling and diving the SS President Coolidge wreck

July offers some of the best visibility of the year for diving the Coolidge off Espiritu Santo - typically 25-30 m (82-98 ft) compared to 15-20 m (49-66 ft) in wet season. This is one of the world's largest accessible shipwrecks, a 200 m (656 ft) luxury liner converted to troopship and sunk in 1942. The cooler water temperature means you'll want a 3mm wetsuit, but the trade-off is clearer conditions and less plankton. Even snorkelers can see the bow section in shallow water.

Booking Tip: Guided snorkel tours run 3,500-5,500 VUV per person for 2-3 hours. Diving costs 8,000-15,000 VUV depending on depth and if you're penetrating the wreck. Book 5-7 days ahead in July. Multiple dives require certification - the wreck ranges from 20-70 m (66-230 ft) depth. See current diving packages in booking widget below.

Island-hopping by small plane or boat

The settled July weather makes inter-island travel far more reliable than shoulder months. Small plane services between Port Vila, Tanna, Santo, and smaller islands operate on schedule rather than canceling due to weather. The visibility is spectacular for aerial views of the archipelago. Boat transfers are also smoother with the trade winds blowing consistently rather than the variable conditions of transition months. This is the time to visit outer islands like Ambrym or Pentecost if you're adventurous.

Booking Tip: Domestic flights range 12,000-25,000 VUV one-way depending on distance. Book flights 30-45 days ahead for best prices, as planes are small (8-19 seats typically). Inter-island boat charters cost 15,000-40,000 VUV depending on distance and vessel type. Most multi-island tours work through tour operators - see booking section for current packages combining flights and accommodations.

July Events & Festivals

Late July

Vanuatu Independence Day (July 30)

While the main Independence Day is actually July 30, celebrations typically extend through the final week of July, particularly in Port Vila and Luganville. You'll see traditional dance performances, string band competitions, and sporting events. The atmosphere is genuinely festive rather than touristy, and locals are welcoming to visitors who show interest. Markets expand with traditional foods and handicrafts.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rainy days typically mean brief afternoon showers lasting 15-30 minutes, not all-day rain. You'll want something that stuffs into a day bag rather than a heavy raincoat.
SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen - UV index of 8 is high, and you'll burn faster than you expect, especially on boat trips where wind makes you underestimate sun exposure. Bring more than you think you need, as local prices run 2-3 times what you'd pay at home.
3mm wetsuit or rash guard for water activities - water temperature of 24-25°C (75-77°F) feels fine for 20 minutes but gets cool during hour-long snorkel sessions. Many dive operators provide suits, but they're often worn and ill-fitting.
Closed-toe water shoes with good grip - essential for blue hole visits, reef walking, and the volcanic ash approaches on Tanna. The terrain is rougher than typical tropical destinations. Flip-flops won't cut it for most activities.
Long lightweight pants and long-sleeve shirt in neutral colors - required for kastom village visits and useful for mosquito protection during evening activities. Cotton or linen works better than synthetics in 70% humidity.
Headlamp or small flashlight - power outages happen regularly outside Port Vila, and you'll need it for navigating accommodations at night. Essential if you're doing the Mount Yasur evening trek.
Dry bag (10-20 liter capacity) - for boat trips and protecting electronics during those afternoon showers. The humidity also means electronics and documents need protection even when it's not actively raining.
Basic first aid kit including antihistamine cream - sand flies and mosquitoes are active in July, and bites can become irritated in the humidity. Bring your own supplies as pharmacies outside Port Vila have limited stock.
Cash in small denominations - many activities and villages only accept Vatu in cash, and breaking large bills can be difficult. ATMs are limited outside main towns and sometimes run out of cash on weekends.
Modest clothing for village visits - sarongs, knee-length shorts, or pants, plus shirts that cover shoulders. This isn't just tourist advice, it's genuinely important for respectful interaction in traditional communities.

Insider Knowledge

The 'dry season' label is relative - Vanuatu is tropical year-round, and those 10 rainy days in July still mean you'll see rain. The difference is that July rain tends to be predictable afternoon showers (usually 2-5pm) rather than multi-day weather systems. Plan outdoor activities for mornings.
Mobile coverage is surprisingly limited - even on main islands like Efate and Santo, you'll lose signal once you leave town centers. Download offline maps and have backup plans that don't rely on internet access. Most accommodations have WiFi, but it's often slow and unreliable.
The traditional 'island time' mentality is real but often misunderstood - tours and boats do run late, but it's usually 15-30 minutes, not hours. Build buffer time into connections, but don't stress excessively. What tourists interpret as disorganization is often just a different pace of operating.
Book accommodations on Tanna and Santo further ahead than Port Vila - these islands have far fewer options, and the better guesthouses fill up 3-4 weeks out in July. Port Vila has enough capacity that 1-2 weeks ahead usually works fine, but you'll pay premium rates for last-minute bookings.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating travel time between islands - tourists see Vanuatu's small size on a map and assume island-hopping is quick. Reality: flights are infrequent (often only daily or every other day), and you'll spend half a day on travel when changing islands. Don't try to cram too many islands into a short trip.
Expecting Caribbean-style beach resort infrastructure - Vanuatu is more rugged and less developed than many tropical destinations. Outside Port Vila, accommodations are basic, restaurants are limited, and activities require more self-organization. This is part of the appeal, but catches tourists off-guard if they're expecting Fiji-level tourism infrastructure.
Not carrying enough cash - cards are accepted in Port Vila and major resorts, but most of Vanuatu runs on cash. Tourists regularly get caught short when visiting villages, paying for activities, or dining outside main tourist areas. ATMs exist but are unreliable, especially on smaller islands.

Explore Activities in Vanuatu

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June

Travel guide for June

August

Travel guide for August

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Vanuatu

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