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Vanuatu - Things to Do in Vanuatu in March

Things to Do in Vanuatu in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Vanuatu

30°C (86°F) High Temp
23°C (73°F) Low Temp
250mm (9.8 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

  • Cyclone season is winding down by March - you're catching the tail end of the wet season when the islands are lush and waterfalls are actually flowing, but the serious storm risk has typically passed. The landscape is genuinely spectacular right now, everything impossibly green.
  • Tourist numbers drop significantly compared to July-August peak season. You'll have dive sites, beaches, and cultural experiences without the crowds that pack out Port Vila during Australian school holidays. Accommodation prices reflect this - expect 20-30% lower rates than high season.
  • Water visibility for diving and snorkeling is transitioning back to excellent as the wet season eases off. March sits in that sweet spot where you get 20-30m (65-100 ft) visibility at sites like Million Dollar Point and the SS President Coolidge, with water temperatures holding steady around 28°C (82°F) - no wetsuit needed.
  • Mango season is in full swing, and you'll find local markets absolutely loaded with tropical fruit at ridiculous prices. The nakamal kava bars are particularly social this time of year as locals celebrate the harvest - it's actually one of the best months to experience authentic ni-Vanuatu culture rather than the tourist-oriented version.

Considerations

  • Rain happens, and when it does, it's proper tropical downpours - not drizzle. You'll typically see 10 days with rain in March, often as afternoon thunderstorms that last 1-2 hours. Some outer island boat transfers get cancelled in rough weather, which can mess with tight itineraries.
  • The humidity sits around 70% and feels higher after rain. If you're not used to tropical climates, that combination of heat and moisture gets exhausting by mid-afternoon. Air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for comfortable sleep, which limits budget accommodation options.
  • Some tour operators on outer islands run reduced schedules in March since it's shoulder season. You'll find fewer daily departures to places like Ambrym or Malekula, meaning less flexibility if you're trying to island-hop on a tight timeline. Book ahead or risk waiting days for the next available trip.

Investigate Other Months

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Best Activities in March

SS President Coolidge Wreck Diving

March offers some of the year's best conditions for diving this famous WWII wreck off Espiritu Santo. Water visibility improves dramatically as the wet season eases, typically hitting 20-30m (65-100 ft), and the 28°C (82°F) water means you can comfortably do multiple dives without a thick wetsuit. The wreck sits 20-70m (65-230 ft) deep with sections accessible to all certification levels. Fewer divers in March means you're not queuing underwater to see The Lady or the porcelain in the hold.

Booking Tip: Certified wreck diving courses run 15,000-25,000 VUV for guided dives. Book 2-3 weeks ahead through PADI-certified operators - March has fewer dive masters working than peak season. Budget 2-3 days minimum to properly experience the wreck's different sections. Morning dives offer best visibility before afternoon weather potentially rolls in.

Mount Yasur Volcano Night Tours

Tanna's active volcano is genuinely more dramatic in March because the wet season clouds create this incredible backdrop for the lava explosions - you get these massive orange bursts lighting up the cloud cover. The volcano erupts every few minutes, throwing lava 100-200m (330-650 ft) into the air. March weather means occasional tour cancellations if ash clouds are too thick, but when it's on, it's spectacular. The 361m (1,184 ft) climb to the rim takes about 20 minutes.

Booking Tip: Tours typically cost 8,000-12,000 VUV including transport from your accommodation. Evening departures around 4pm get you to the rim for sunset and the full dark show. Book 3-5 days ahead - spaces are limited and March is popular with photographers specifically because of the cloud formations. Confirm the volcano's activity level before booking as access occasionally closes during heightened eruptions.

Blue Hole Swimming and Waterfall Tours

March is actually the ideal time for Vanuatu's freshwater swimming holes because the wet season keeps them filled and flowing. The blue holes around Espiritu Santo - particularly Nanda Blue Hole and Matevulu Blue Hole - are at their most impressive with waterfalls cascading in. Water temperatures sit around 24°C (75°F), refreshingly cool against the humid air. The surrounding jungle is thick and green right now, making the whole experience feel properly remote.

Booking Tip: Entry fees run 500-1,000 VUV per site. Half-day tours including multiple blue holes and transport typically cost 5,000-8,000 VUV. Go early morning before 10am when the light hits the water perfectly and before any afternoon rain. The sites get slippery after rain, so proper water shoes are essential. Most accessible blue holes are 30-45 minutes from Luganville.

Cultural Village Experiences

March coincides with the end of yam harvest season, and custom villages are particularly active with traditional ceremonies and kastom dances. Villages like Yakel on Tanna maintain traditional lifestyles and welcome visitors for half-day cultural exchanges. You'll see actual working villages rather than tourist performances - people living in traditional nakamal structures, preparing food in earth ovens, demonstrating weaving and carving. The authenticity level is significantly higher than what you find in Port Vila.

Booking Tip: Village visits cost 2,000-5,000 VUV per person depending on the village and included activities. Always book through your accommodation or licensed cultural guides - turning up unannounced is culturally inappropriate. Budget 3-4 hours minimum. Modest dress is required, and some villages request women wear skirts below the knee. Photography permissions vary by village, always ask first.

Port Vila Market and Food Experiences

Port Vila Market is genuinely at its best in March when tropical fruit season peaks. You'll find mangoes, pamplemousse, pineapples, and island cabbage at prices that make you question the exchange rate. Local mamas sell lap lap, tuluk, and simboro - traditional dishes you won't find in tourist restaurants. The market operates Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6am-5pm, but go before 9am for the full selection and to beat the heat.

Booking Tip: Budget 2,000-4,000 VUV for a serious market haul including prepared food. Cooking demonstrations and market tours with local guides run 3,000-6,000 VUV for 2-3 hours and actually teach you about island ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Bring small bills - vendors rarely have change for 1,000 VUV notes. The market is walkable from most Port Vila accommodations, 10-15 minutes from the main hotel strip.

Outer Island Sailing and Snorkeling

March weather is variable but the inter-island sailing trips to places like Lelepa Island, Moso Island, and Pele Island are spectacular when conditions cooperate. You're looking at 25-45 minute boat rides to uninhabited or barely inhabited islands with pristine coral reefs. Snorkeling visibility ranges 15-25m (50-80 ft) in March, and you'll see significantly more marine life than the picked-over sites near Port Vila. The outer islands feel genuinely remote - often you'll be the only group there.

Booking Tip: Full-day island sailing trips typically run 8,000-15,000 VUV including lunch, snorkel gear, and guide. Book 5-7 days ahead and understand that March weather means occasional cancellations - operators will reschedule or refund. Morning departures around 8am give you the calmest water for the crossing. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, the UV index hits 8 and there's zero shade on most boats.

March Events & Festivals

Variable throughout March depending on village and custom calendar

Custom Circumcision Ceremonies

March falls within the traditional season for naghol land diving preparations and male initiation ceremonies on Pentecost and other islands. These aren't tourist events - they're actual cultural practices - but some villages allow respectful observation if you're connected through proper channels. The ceremonies involve days of preparation, traditional dancing, and kastom protocols that give you insight into ni-Vanuatu culture you absolutely won't get elsewhere.

Throughout March

Tanna Coffee Harvest

Coffee picking season runs through March on Tanna Island, and several plantations allow visitors to see the process from cherry to dried bean. The volcanic soil produces distinctive coffee, and watching the hand-sorting and sun-drying process gives you serious appreciation for the work involved. Some plantations offer informal tastings and sell fresh roasted beans well below Port Vila prices.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket that packs small - afternoon storms in March last 1-2 hours and hit without much warning. Skip the umbrella, the wind makes them useless and you'll look like every other tourist struggling on the street.
SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen - UV index hits 8 in March and you'll burn in 15 minutes without protection. Bring enough from home, local prices are double what you'd pay in Australia or New Zealand and selection is limited.
Quick-dry clothing in breathable fabrics - cotton and linen over polyester in 70% humidity. Bring more shirts than you think you need because you'll be changing twice daily after sweating through them.
Proper water shoes with grip - not flip flops. Blue holes, volcanic rocks, and coral all require actual foot protection. The cheap reef shoes sold in Port Vila fall apart within days.
Small dry bag for boat trips and beach days - your phone and camera need protection from spray and sudden rain. A 10-liter (2.6 gallon) bag is plenty for day trips.
Insect repellent with 20%+ DEET - March humidity means mosquitoes are active, especially around dusk. Dengue is present in Vanuatu, so this isn't optional. Bring from home, local supplies are expensive and often low strength.
Modest clothing for village visits - lightweight pants or long skirt, shoulders covered. Many cultural sites require this, and showing up in beach wear is genuinely disrespectful. A sarong works for covering up over shorts.
Basic first aid supplies including anti-diarrheal medication and rehydration salts - medical facilities outside Port Vila are extremely limited. Bring any prescription medications in original packaging with copies of prescriptions.
Waterproof phone case or pouch - not just for swimming but for the humidity and rain. Electronics struggle in tropical moisture and a 5 VUV case prevents a ruined 80,000 VUV phone.
Cash in small bills - ATMs exist in Port Vila and Luganville but are unreliable on outer islands. Most activities, markets, and village visits are cash-only. Bring Australian dollars to exchange, US dollars work but get worse rates.

Insider Knowledge

The Tuesday and Thursday Port Vila markets are identical in selection but Thursday is significantly less crowded - locals know this and tourists don't. You'll actually have space to move and vendors are more willing to chat when they're not slammed with cruise ship passengers.
Book accommodation with working air conditioning, not just a ceiling fan. March humidity makes sleeping genuinely difficult without AC, and budget places often have units that barely function. Read recent reviews specifically mentioning AC performance before booking.
Domestic flights on Air Vanuatu get cancelled or rescheduled regularly in March due to weather. Build 24-hour buffers before international connections and don't book same-day transfers from outer islands to your departure flight. The airline will reschedule you but it might be two days later.
Kava quality and pricing varies wildly in Port Vila tourist areas versus local nakamals. A shell of kava costs 100-150 VUV at authentic nakamals used by ni-Vanuatu versus 300-500 VUV at tourist-oriented bars. Ask your accommodation staff where they drink kava, not where tourists should go.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all-inclusive resort packages are good value in March. Shoulder season means you can book accommodation and activities separately for 30-40% less than package deals, especially if you're comfortable arranging things on arrival rather than pre-booking everything.
Underestimating how limited infrastructure is outside Port Vila and Luganville. Outer islands often have no ATMs, unreliable electricity, no mobile coverage, and limited food options beyond what your accommodation provides. Bring cash and snacks, and lower your expectations significantly.
Packing for beach weather only and struggling when it rains. March means you need actual rain gear and closed-toe shoes, not just swimwear and sandals. Tourists show up with resort wear and spend half their trip wet and uncomfortable because they believed the tropical paradise marketing.

Explore Activities in Vanuatu

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February

Travel guide for February

April

Travel guide for April

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Vanuatu

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