Efate Island, showing Port Vila's locationArriving in Port Vila

Port Vila is tucked into a well protected harbour on the SW side of the island of Efate, at the eastern end of a large bay called Mele Bay.

The approach and entry is very easy and without dangers. It is by far the safest and easiest harbour to head for on your cruise to Vanuatu.

Note that there is no operational navigation light on the SE point of Mele Bay as shown on some nautical charts.

Care must be taken on the final approach to the harbour to avoid two reefs that project into the harbour entrance. As with any island landfall a daytime approach is always safest.

 

Arriving in Port Vila Harbour

 

 

Do not rely on the two beacon lights marking the entrance or the lead light as the lights are sometimes not working.

Port Vila Harbour

Once safely inside, raise the yellow Q flag and proceed to the quarantine area - where the boats are shown in the aerial view of Port Vila shown above.

Anchor next to the new yellow quarantine buoy located at 17°44.275 S 168°18.597 E. Drop your anchor in about 10 to 12 meters on a coral rubble bottom. The holding is not the best, but you won't be there too long providing you don't come on a weekend or public holiday. The anchorage is well protected during trade winds and OK for the evening.

Give Yachting World a call on VHF Channel 16 (08:00 to 17:00) and we will help you organise clearance formalities. When the customs officer arrives he will probably be in one of our skiffs with one of our staff members there to welcome you to Port Vila.

For more on entry requirements and formalities, and other ports of entry, click here.

For how to get to Yachting World and information on the inner harbour, click here.

 

SITE MAP FOR YACHTING WORLD

Yachting World Port Vila Vanuatu marina and yachting services
Vanuatu Cruising and Yachting News
Contact us about cruising in Vanuatu

GETTING TO VANUATU

Vanuatu Marine Weather& Tides
Sailing Passages to and from Vanuatu
Sailing Rallies and Races to Vanuatu
Vanuatu Yacht Clearance and Arrival Information
Vanuatu Customs and Immigratioin Entry Formalities for yachts
Yachts entering the inner harbour

YACHTING WORLD FACILITIES

Yachting World's Sea Wall Marina in Port Vila Vanuatu
Yachting World's Swing Moorings in Port Vila Vanuatu
The Waterfront Bar & Grill
Yachting World's Port Vila Vanuatu Internet Cafe
Yachting World's Fuel wharf
Yachting World's Laundry service for yachts visiting Port Vila
Furnished 2 bedroom waterfront apartments for short term rental

POINTS OF INTEREST

Yacht Help Vanuatu
Mobile phones in Vanuatu
Vanuatu Mail Service at Yachting World
General Vanuatu info
Cruising Guide to Vanuatu with nautical maps of Vanuatu