So you’re heading to the Pacific! I am SO excited for you!! It truly is a magical part of the world with a rich culture, friendly people and the nature is something of a marvel. Though it is insane in all the best ways, there are some things that are handy to pack to make life a little easier!
Apart from all the usual things you would pack (swimsuits, casual outfits, some dressy dinner outfits etc. etc.) let’s go through some things that you might not think of packing that you should! And this not only applies to Vanuatu, but also throughout the Pacific! What better genre could we start with other than…
Snacks:
It depends on where you’re staying for this one. If you plan on staying in a local bungalow anywhere, it is good to bring some snacks with you especially something that you can have for breakfast or for a mid-morning snack as most of the time bread is offered. You can buy things like rice or corn cakes from the supermarket, but if you prefer to bring some breakfast biscuits or something similar you should! A lot of the snacks that are offered here are local seasonal fruits, so all good for us coeliacs.
If you would like to read some more about gluten free food tips in Vanuatu then give this blog post a read.
The picture below is a breakfast I had on the island of Pele, fried bananas and an omelette. Perfectly gluten free.
If you’re staying in a bigger resort on main islands (like Efate in Vanuatu), they may have some gluten free bread, but if not, they will have other hot breakfast options like omelettes. Of course, feel free to bring your own bread too! Supply of gluten free bread in can be patchy, so even if you read reviews of a hotel having bread they might not have it all year round. (I’ve experienced this a lot with pizza bases in Vanuatu). One of the best resorts for gluten free options is M Resort in Efate, they even make pancakes!
Otherwise, eating in and around in Vanuatu can be okay if you know what you’re looking / looking out for. Read my gluten free tips for Vanuatu here.
Clothing:
It is hot! But also can be rainy. and humid too. With this in mind, bring light clothes, linen or cotton are best. A light rain jacket or poncho would be great to pack or a sturdy umbrella (you can also buy umbrellas from many stores in town). This is especially true if you’re coming in cyclone season from November-March.
A light jumper for the evening can be useful depending on what time of year you are going, in their winter (April-September) it can feel a little chillier at night, as well as if you are going to more southern islands like Tanna. When you are standing on top of the volcano at night, it can be quite blustery and cold!
There are mosquitos, so a long trousers for dusk time can be useful. I’d recommend light coloured trousers as mosquitos can be attracted to darker colour clothes. Baggy is probably best, as I’ve been bitten through some of my clothes that are tighter to my skin. For women, any clothes you wear in and around the town of Port Vila or in your resort are fine, but if you do visit any villages out of town it is more respectful to wear something below the knees and that covers your shoulders.
Footwear:
Flip flops or sliders are obviously fabulous for airing out your feet and for casual walking. I find crocs quite useful as they can get wet too (I know croc haters, I was once you, too). As it can rain and the ground is also not all tarmac and/or there can be pot holes and rubble depending on where you’re walking it might also to be good to bring more structured sandals or trainers for walking in.
Reef shoes are a must. A lot of the coast around Vanuatu is coral filled, and coral cuts can be nasty so make sure to pack a pair of these!
Cash:
If you’re coming from a country where you can easily get your hands on vatu, then great. At most hotels, main restaurants and the supermarket you can pay by card (a couple have recently gone to card only) however, for local shops, like the handicraft market, the local food market or a nakamal, buses or if you’re staying at a local bungalow cash is necessary.
If you can’t get your hands on cash before you arrive, don’t panic! Most major cards work in the ATMs here and there are plenty of ATMs dotted around in town. There are even a few at the airport. For the lowest fee, BSP has the lowest at a fixed rate of around £2 a transaction. The transaction fees are not extreme in any bank however.
Other Items:
Insect repellent is also a must. Something with DEET or something more natural with citronella, either should be ok so bring something that works for you.
In the same vein, sun cream is necessary! The UV in Vanuatu is very high literally all the time so make sure to bring a high SPF to keep safe in the sun. Sun cream can be bought here, but it will most likely be more expensive than what you can get at home.
Head Torch: Only really relevant if you’re staying in a local bungalow. Some don’t have lights in the bungalows, and some do but the toilet is in an outhouse which you may need to navigate to in the night!
Snorkel/Diving Gear: As an island country, the spots to snorkel are pretty endless. There are a few dive companies and all big hotels should have snorkels for guests as well as diving tours. If you have your own stuff then you should pack it, but if not, there is plenty of gear here to use.
Is there anything else you think I’ve missed!? Let me know if so! Otherwise I hope you found this helpful and have the best holiday! If you’re looking to venture out of Efate (which I recommend you do) here are some more blog posts on Pele Island (a must) and Tanna Island (also a must!).
