Passages to Port Vila Vanuatu

Passages to Port Vila Vanuatu

Getting to Port Vila Vanuatu aboard a sailing or motor vessel is an enjoyable experience so long as you pick the correct weather window and the vessel is seaworthy.

For information on approaches to Port Vila Click Here.

For information about customs clearance Click Here.

For information on entering the inner harbour (where Yachting World is Located) Click Here.

Picking the weather is easier than ever these days with long range weather forecasts and satellite imagery.

Our weather analysis centre on this website will help you find the best weather window for your voyage.

Don't leave until the Weather Window is right

  • Get ready to go well in advance of the expiration of visas or customs requirements and then be prepared to wait (as in ready to go today). Getting ready to go also means going to the place you wish to leave from (see below for tips on this)
  • When you are ready and in position, start watching the weather by going to two or more of the long range forecast sites. There are 4 main models available, NOAA and the US Navy in America, IGES in Canada, and the European Model (UK Online Sailing Weather). Each of these give 7 day forecasts.
  • Download the full 7 day forecast for winds and precipitation and compare the different sites, day by day for the full 7 days. If there are significant differences between the models, the weather is uncertain - don't go.
  • This analysis will give you a good idea if the weather is predictable or not and which site is doing the best job of getting it right.
  • Watch for a 7 day prediction that offers winds from a favorable direction (you can get a long way in 7 days with the right winds). One site will be doing better than the others, but the other sites should be in close agreement. Again, if they are significantly different in where they say the winds will be coming from don't go. When you see the right wind pattern for your trip and your comparison sites agree - go immediately.

24 Hours Advance Notice for Customs!

New Customs clearance regulations require yachts to send an email notice of arrival at least 24 hours before entering Vanuatu territorial waters. Yachts are required to hoist the quarantine flag within 200 nautical miles of Vanuatu islands. Requirements for Customs

Where is the best place to Leave from?

If you are heading to Vanuatu from Fiji or New Zealand you don't have a lot of options and will depart from the closest customs port. But heading to Vanuatu from Australia and from Vanuatu to Australia is another matter.

The best place to leave Australia for Vanuatu is Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. This will give you the least time at sea with the best chance of getting a good weather pattern for the crossing.

Since customs and quarantine are located at the marina you can depart the instant the weather window opens.

Going back to Australia from Vanuatu, the best place to head for is Bundaberg in Queensland. There are several reasons for this.

  • It is the shortest passage,
  • The route is through the southern coral sea and avoids the often severe weather south of Fraser Island
  • The entry is clear of reefs or other dangers
  • Customs and immigration are at the Bundaberg Port Marina .

Don't leave home without this!

For more details on passages and related issues, see the Rocket Cruising Guide to Vanuatu

cruising guide to vanuatu