Port Vila (Efate Island Vanuatu)

Port Vila is Vanuatu's capital and largest seaport and city. It is located on Efate Island's southern coast and has population around 45,000 - nearly 20% of the country's population and 70% of Efate Island's population. The city covers a total area of approx 5 km2 (2 mi2). In close proximity to Efate is Lelepa Island - Royal Caribbean's private island resort property named "Perfect Day at Lelepa".

Most cruise ships to Efate Island dock (anchor) at Port Vila - a port town on the western coast. Some ships may stop at Port Havannah - located on the northwestern coast.

Port Vila is Vanuatu's commercial and economic center, most important harbor port and the center of the country's shipping trade. The city is served by the international airport Bauerfield. Here is also headquartered Air Vanuatu (the country's main airline).

The city's economy is based on the industries of agriculture, commercial fishing and tourism (especially via flights and cruise ships from Australia and New Zealand). Vanuatu is a tax haven, so offshore financing in Port Vila is a major part of the economy.

Vanuatu Cultural Centre (hosting Vanuatu National Museum) is at Saralana Park (in front of the parliament). Traditional artifacts from a few islands are on display in the museum. Vanuatu Cultural Centre also hosts the National Audiovisual Archives which is the major fund of documents from late-19th-century until today.

On December 17, 2024, Port Vila sustained significant city and port infrastructure damages following a magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck ~30 km/~20 mi off Efate Island's coast. This resulted in major disruptions for the cruise ship schedules (itinerary changes) of the Australia-homeporting companies RCI-Royal Caribbean, P&O, and CCL-Carnival. The accident affected the December schedules of the ships Quantum of the Seas (RCI), Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure (P&O) and Carnival Luminosa (CCL).

Port Vila cruise terminal