7 Days in Vanuatu with Kids: Efate Itinerary
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
If you’re craving sunshine, warm water and a relaxing family holiday not too far from Australia, Vanuatu might be just the place.
We chose Vanuatu because we wanted somewhere warm, beautiful and relaxing without spending forever on a plane. Just a 3 hour flight from Australia, it was the perfect winter escape.
Originally, we looked into visiting multiple islands, but for a one-week holiday it didn't make sense for us. Unlike destinations such as Fiji, island hopping in Vanuatu isn't as straightforward, with most islands connected by domestic flights rather than regular passenger ferries.
So, we based ourselves around Efate, splitting our time between peaceful Moso Island and the east coast of Efate.
Vanuatu at a Glance
Trip length: 5–7 days
Perfect for: Families, couples and anyone wanting a relaxing tropical holiday
Best time to visit: May to Early November
Hire car: Recommended if exploring all around Efate
Our highlights: Moso Island, Blue Hole, Blue Lagoon and Eton Beach
Our Itinerary
🌴 1 night – Port Vila, MG Cocomo Resort
🏝️ 3 nights – Moso Island, Airbnb
🚗 3 nights – East Coast Efate, Le Life Resort
Day 1: Arrive in Port Vila
We arrived at Port Via in the afternoon and spent our first night at MG Cocomo Resort.
Its location was perfect for us because it was right next door to a large supermarket and ATMs, allowing us to stock up on groceries before heading to Moso Island the following morning.
MG Cocomo Resort is a bit out of town, but it has a nice kids playground and free kayaks to use on the river. Breakfast is included - always a nice bonus
Day 2-4: Moso Island
The next morning our Airbnb host had organised a private transfer to the north of Efate & the short boat transfer to Moso Island. Moso Island is the perfect place to slow down and switch off.
Life here is wonderfully simple. There are no roads or cars, just two small villages connected by a walking track, friendly locals and a relaxed island atmosphere. Think quiet beaches, fantastic snorkelling, kayaking and days spent enjoying the slower pace of life. Everywhere we went, the locals were incredibly friendly & welcoming.
There are no shops on Moso Island, so make sure you bring all your food, snacks and supplies with you before leaving Port Vila.
If you're looking to escape the crowds, Moso Island is well worth adding to your Vanuatu itinerary.
Thing to do on Moso Island
Blue Hole Tour
Fantastic snorkelling
Visit Embas Beach on the other side of the island (30-40mins walk) Beautiful protected beach with amazing snorkling.
Kayaking
Walking through the local village & visiting the school
If you stay on Moso Island, I'd definitely recommend doing the Blue Hole tour. It was one of our favourite experiences, and the snorkelling around the island was some of the best we found in Vanuatu.
Days 5–7: Explore Eastern Efate
After our stay on Moso, we collected our hire car from Port Vila Airport.
We booked through Booking.com Rental Cars.
Rather than taking the quickest route, we drove south along Ring Road, stopping at a beautiful rock pools at Eton Reef for lunch before continuing to our accommodation, Le Life Resort. The resort caters to all sorts of travellers. There are self-contained beachfront bungalows if you want a bit more comfort, camping and tent options if you're travelling on a budget, plus a restaurant onsite if you don't feel like cooking.
The little private beaches were beautiful, and it was such a peaceful place to come back to after exploring each day.
Things to do in Efate
Blue Lagoon
Without question, this was our girls' favourite day.
The Blue Lagoon has bright turquoise water, rope swings and trees that you can jump from into the water.
We spent hours here swimming and relaxing.
If you're travelling with kids, don't miss it.
Eton Beach
Eton Beach was our favourite beach in Vanuatu.
The water was calm and the beach is beautiful. There was shaded picnic tables too, so it a great place to have lunch and relax for a few hours. We also loved snorkelling in the rock pools when the tides were low.
Many of the beaches around Efate are naturally sheltered, making them perfect for families with young children.
Rock Pools & Eton Reef
Further south, about a 10 minute dive south of Eton Beach, we stopped at several beautiful rock pools.
Other activities available...
Hideaway Island, a visit to Hideaway Island (near Port Vila) a tiny little island with an underwater post office where you can post postcards from.
Avi Turtle Conservation Centre, we'd originally planned to visit the Avi Turtle Conservation Centre. After reading quite a few recent reviews, though, we decided to give it a miss. It may still suit some travellers, but it just didn't sound like the experience we were looking for, so we spent the day at the beach instead. I'd recommend checking the latest reviews before booking.
Half-day and Full-day Fishing Charters with Crusoe Fishing Adventures.
What Should I Pack for Vanuatu?
Snorkel gear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Rash shirt
Sarongs/ beach towel
Reef shoes (optional but handy around rock pools)
Light jumper for evenings
Casual summer clothes
Go Pro
Underwater Phone Case
Small torch
Reusable drink bottle. You can drink the tap water in Vanuatu
Powerpoints are the same as Australia
FAQs
Is 7 Days Enough in Vanuatu?
Absolutely. We never felt rushed and had plenty of time to relax, swim, snorkel, explore and simply enjoy island life. In fact, if you're short on time, you could easily adapt this itinerary into a five-day trip by spending two nights on Moso Island and two nights exploring the Eastern coast of Efate.
Is Vanuatu Good for Kids?
Absolutely. We found Vanuatu to be one of the easiest tropical destinations to visit with children. The beaches around Efate are sheltered, with calm water and very little surf, making them ideal for swimming.
Restaurants and cafes around the island have plenty of kid friendly food too.
Our girls loved exploring the rock pools, collecting shells, finding hermit crabs and spending hours building sandcastles. Many beaches also have natural shade from the trees, making it easy to escape the midday sun while still enjoying the beach.
Do You Need to Hire a Car in Vanuatu?
Not necessarily, but we'd definitely recommend it if you're planning to explore beyond Port Vila most days.
We hired our car through Booking.com because we almost always like having our own car when we travel. It gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, worked out cheaper than organising taxis every day, and meant we could visit beaches and swimming spots when the tides were best—not when a tour happened to leave.
Driving around Efate is surprisingly easy. Once you're outside Port Vila, the roads are generally very quiet. In Vanuatu, you'll drive on the right-hand side of the road.
One thing to watch out for is the potholes. Some sections of road have quite a few, so it's worth taking your time and driving a little slower.
Is Moso Island Worth Visiting?
Definitely. If you're looking to completely switch off, Moso Island was one of our favourite parts of the trip.
The snorkelling was excellent, the atmosphere was peaceful, and it offered us a glimpse into daily village life on the islands.
Can You Visit the Blue Lagoon with Kids?
Absolutely!! The Blue Lagoon is the perfect place for kids.
With rope swings, trees to jump from and calm, crystal-clear water, it was easily our girls' favourite day of the holiday.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Vanuatu?
The best time to visit Vanuatu is generally May to October, when the weather is warm, humidity is lower and there's less chance of rain. It's a great time for swimming, snorkelling and exploring the islands.
We travelled in July. The days were warm, sunny and perfect for swimming, while the evenings were cooler than we expected, so I'd definitely recommend packing a jumper or light jacket for after sunset.
Planning Your Trip
✈️ Flights to Vanuatu
🏨 Accommodation
🚗 Car Hire
🛡️ Travel Insurance
Final Thoughts
Our week in Vanuatu wasn't about racing around seeing attractions.
We swam every day, slowed down, spent quality time together as a family and came home feeling genuinely refreshed.
If that's the kind of holiday you're looking for, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
More South Pacific Family Adventures
If you're planning more island holidays, here are a few of our other favourite destinations:
🇫🇯 Fiji on a Budget – How we explored Fiji without staying at expensive resorts.
⛴️ Island Hopping in French Polynesia – Everything you need to know about using the ferries & flying
🌴 New Caledonia Family Itinerary - Self driving around New Caledonia
🐢 Rarotonga with Kids - A relaxing week in The Cook Islands
🐋 Bora Bora On a Budget - Everything you need to know
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