Vanuatu resident and Australian expat Joel Slattery has been living on Moso Island for a decade, running his boutique resort The Moso along with co-owner Antoun Jabbour. After packing up his life in Sydney to become a hotelier in paradise, Slattery has spent years uncovering the best of this slice of the South Pacific.
Here, Slattery shares his insider’s guide that showcases the island nation’s easy rhythm and elemental beauty, ticking off bucket-list adventures and homegrown talent in equal measure. Whether you’re snorkelling coral gardens, tasting locally made rum or summiting one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Vanuatu is an idyllic archipelago waiting to be discovered.
Where to eat and drink
Lunch at Trees and Fishes for sensational seafood
A short boat hop from Moso Island, Trees and Fishes began life as a fishing charter business, and its restaurant Hacienda has quietly become one of Vanuatu’s most memorable places to eat. “There’s no building — you’re sitting on the beach under a thatched roof,” says Slattery. “And you know the seafood’s fresh because they’re fishing every day.” Run by Angel, who grew up in Vanuatu, the open-air restaurant serves whatever the ocean provides that day, along with freshly harvested island fruit and veg, to create a standout menu of dishes inspired by global flavours and local traditions.
Sip local spirits at 83 Islands Distillery
For a taste of local craft spirits, Slattery points guests toward 83 Islands Distillery on the outskirts of Port Vila. Set in an unassuming industrial pocket, the operation transforms Vanuatu’s abundant sugarcane into small-batch rum. The bar’s polished wood and industrial feel bring a cool urban edge, where tasting flights reveal the nuanced complexity of cane spirits and the cocktail list exclusively showcases its own spirits. “Their Espresso Martinis are great,” says Slattery, “and the Negronis, dangerous,” he says with a grin.
Grab a burger at Port Vila Burger Co.
Not every great meal in Vanuatu comes with an ocean view. Slattery swears by Port Vila Burger Co., a roadside shipping-container joint run by Danish expat Morten Gerhard, whose obsession with perfect patties has garnered quite the following. “It’s the simplest burger, but the sauce is amazing.” Gerhard’s smash burgers are made with local grassfed beef, freshly baked buns and fermented susut for a local touch, while the house-made ketchup and hot sauces add zip and zing.
Things to do
Sail Havannah Harbour aboard a luxury yacht
Back over at Havannah Harbour, one of the most popular excursions is aboard a classic 60-foot, custom-built sailboat run by Sailing Vanuatu. Guests spend five lazy hours swimming, snorkelling, visiting idyllic beaches and sightseeing from sea, as well as indulging in a standout barbecue lunch served on deck. It’s an excellent way to cruise the harbour and explore Vanuatu with a large group of friends and family.
Visit fiery Mount Yasur on Tanna Island
For something truly spectacular, Slattery recommends a trip south to Tanna Island, home to one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes: Mount Yasur. “You literally walk up fifty steps and you’re peering into it,” he says. Tanna is just a short 45-minute flight from Efate, rewarding travellers with a front-row seat to the volcano’s magma magnetism. After a thrill-seeking tour, retreat to one of Tanna’s luxury resorts where you can relish in the remote beauty of Vanuatu’s fiery island.
Swim at the mesmerising Blue Lagoon
Back on Efate, cool off at the famous Blue Lagoon, where fresh and saltwater mingle to create a glass-clear aquamarine pool. “It’s so cool compared to most of the water around here,” says Slattery. “The colour is just amazing.” His insider tip? Go early or avoid cruise-ship days for the quietest swim, then picnic beneath Banyan trees before the journey back to your resort.
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