Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Update information on inter-islands boats

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu

Hi everyone!

We are going to Vanuatu in October for 2 weeks (maybe 3) and we are thinking about going to Efate, Tanna, and maybe one more island. We would love to travel by boat, but we cannot find any up to date information regarding passenger boats. We read that there are two companies operating that route but that information is very old and not very reliable.
Is there anyone that has travelled by passenger boat recently?
The other option is going by cargo boats, but considering our time frame, that would not be very useful.

Thank you very much to everyone in advance!!!

Happy travels!
:)

There are no passenger boats.

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Thank you!

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There are freighters that carry passengers but they are seriously basic. You sit where you can and hang on.

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There is the "Big Sista" that runs Vila (departure at the market) - Epi - Malekula - Santo and back once a week. This is the best passenger boat with military beds in the bottom and couches in the first class. Another company runs the passenger-cargo-ships "Efate Queen" and "Santo Queen" without beds, only comfortable seats that run Vila - Ambrym - Pentecost - Ambae - Santo and back ("Efate Queen") and Vila - Epi - Malekula - Santo and back ("Santo Queen") once a week.
Don't take a ship to Tanna; there are no passenger boats and it takes way too long!

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Thanks a lot... It seems that the best idea to go to Tanna is to take a flight. Cannot wait to be there!!

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