Visiting Port Vila by yacht

When to come, where yachts anchor and clear in at Port Vila, and the Vanuatu rules for superyachts.

Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.

Seasons

When to come

Season	Months	Daily high	Monthly rain
Peak	June to October	25.9 to 27.8 °C	87.2 to 161.3 mm
Shoulder	May, November	27.7 to 28.9 °C	151.2 to 153.7 mm
Off season	December to April	28.9 to 30.3 °C	195.8 to 330.4 mm

WMO World Weather Information Service, Port Vila. Yachting World gives June to late October as the ideal cruising season. Season bands are our own estimate.

At anchor

Where yachts anchor

SuperyachtsSuperyachts normally anchor in the outer harbour just to the north-west of the quarantine buoy, where there is good holding and room for several (Yachting World)

Quarantine buoyThe buoy is at 17°44.275 S 168°18.597 E. Yachts anchor in about 10 to 12 m on a coral rubble bottom to clear in (Yachting World)

Inner harbourOverhead wires block the inner harbour for superyachts. They need special refuelling and clearance procedures (Yachting World)

Yachting World berthsThe sea wall marina takes yachts up to 21 m. The swing moorings suit yachts up to 20 m

Rules

Clearance, cyclones and charter

Clearance

Give Customs at least 24 hours of notice of arrival. Fly the yellow flag from the moment the vessel enters the Vanuatu exclusive economic zone. Yachts may not call at any other place before clearing in unless the Director of Customs and Inland Revenue gives written permission. Check the rules for your passport.

Cyclone season

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department runs the cyclone season from November to April. Vanuatu receives about 2 to 3 cyclones a season, most often in January and February. A government cyclone warning means all vessels must leave the Yachting World moorings and sea wall (Yachting World, April to December 2026 price list).

Superyacht charter

Vanuatu Customs counts a vessel valued above VUV 200,000,000 as a super yacht. To charter, it needs survey certificates for charter, permission from the Licensing section of Ports and Marine, and a VAT-registered local agent. Check the rules for your passport.

Getting here

Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) is the international airport for Port Vila (Vanuatu Department of Immigration and Passport Services).

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