Travel essentials for Vanuatu
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
No adapter needed
Vanuatu uses the same Type I plug as Australia at 220V, so no adapter is needed. It is one of very few overseas destinations where your Australian charger simply plugs in.
220V, 50Hz
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Tap water in Port Vila is treated and generally safe, but rainwater tanks supply most of the rest of the country and are not reliable. Drink bottled or filtered water outside the capital.
Staying connected
Reasonable in Port Vila and Luganville, patchy to absent on the outer islands.
Check your eSIM provider actually covers Vanuatu - many Asia and Pacific plans do not. Coverage on outer islands is limited regardless of provider, so do not plan around having data on Tanna or Malekula.
Compare Vanuatu eSIMsHealth risks
- Malaria and dengue, particularly on the northern islands
- Cyclones between November and April
- Active volcanoes - Mount Yasur on Tanna has an alert level that changes
- Diving injuries, with no decompression chamber in-country
Emergency numbers in Vanuatu
| All emergencies | 112 |
|---|---|
| Police | 22222 |
| Ambulance | 112 |
| Fire | 113 |
| Australian consulate | Australian High Commission Port Vila - +678 22777 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Not customary in Vanuatu and in some contexts is considered inappropriate. Resorts may add a service charge. A gift or a fair price for a village guide is the local equivalent.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More Vanuatu essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
Vanuatu travel essentials FAQs
Do I need a power adapter for Vanuatu?
No. Vanuatu uses the same Type I plug as Australia at 220V, so your chargers, hair dryer and everything else plug straight in. It is one of very few overseas destinations where that is true.
Planning Vanuatu?
We will send you the Vanuatu guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.