Weather in Vanuatu

The Northern islands include Vanua Lava, the province of Torba (consisting of the Torres Islands and the Banks Islands), Espiritu Santo, and Malakula (among others) and these islands experience a warmer winter season that sees temperatures climb to highs of around 28/29°C. Even in the coolest months, the temperature doesn't drop below 22°C, meaning it'll never be cold enough to the point where it's uncomfortable to spend long periods of time outside. 

While the Northern islands can experience pretty consistent rainfall throughout the year, that doesn't mean you need to leave your swimsuit at home, with the sea temperature averaging a warm 29°C. 

The Southern islands are made up of the Shephard Islands, Epi and Efate Islands, and the islands of Tanna, Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango and Aniwa and they experience both a warm summer season and a cooler winter period. Heavy rainfall is expected in the months between January and March (around 300 millimetres per month on average) but this drops away during winter with a low average of 100 millimetres from July to September. 

Again, while rainfall is consistent throughout the year, there are also plenty of sunshine hours per day to enjoy Vanuatu's beautiful landscapes. 

Due to Vanuatu's position in the southwest Pacific, cyclones regularly occur (around 2-3 times per cyclone season) between November and May with January and February more likely to see extreme weather patterns so keep this in mind when you're planning out your itinerary. 

If a cyclone does occur, it can manifest in a number of different ways, including heavy rainfall, flash flooding, landslides, storm surges, damaging winds, and strong seas, so always make sure to listen out for news alerts via the radio and social media and heed any local warnings to avoid finding yourself in a potentially dangerous situation. 

Read more about the best time to visit Vanuatu