Efate Island is moderately sized with attractions clustered together. Using Port Vila as your base, you can follow a themed route each day and experience waterfalls, islands, villages, and city life within 4 days, avoiding the hassle of inter-island flights.
Port Vila Market → Handicraft Market and Shops → Seaside Promenade → Evening meal at a seaside restaurant. The market is liveliest in the early morning, where you can buy local fruits and handicrafts.
Half-day hike and swim at Mele Cascades → Return to the city in the afternoon, or add a visit to the nearby Ekasup Cultural Village to learn about traditional customs and kava ceremonies.
Take a boat to Hideaway Island, send a postcard from the underwater post office and go snorkeling → Head to Iririki Island or nearby coral reefs in the afternoon → Return to Port Vila in the evening.
Rent a car or book a private car to tour the northern part of Efate Island, seeing blue holes, beaches, and villages → Return to Port Vila in the afternoon and head to the airport for departure.
Accommodation on Efate Island is most concentrated in the Port Vila city area and along the waterfront, ranging from homestays and business hotels to offshore island resorts. It’s recommended to stay in the city for the first two days for easier travel, and choose accommodation near the airport on the last day based on your flight schedule. The per-person cost for a 4-day trip (excluding international flights) is roughly $425–$845, mainly spent on accommodation, island-loop private car hire, and half-day offshore island tours.