A Warm Welcome from Vanuatu
Located in the Southwest Pacific, Vanuatu lies between Fiji, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. Virtually every one of Vanuatu’s major islands have safe anchorages close by. Most of Vanuatu’s 300,000+ people are found in and around Port Vila and Luganville, leaving plenty of secret spots among Vanuatu’s 82 islands to drop anchor.
Active volcanoes, lush rain-forests, abundant waterfalls, blue holes and the rich diversity of traditional villages and customs make Vanuatu a unique destination.
The islands offer scuba diving at coral reefs, underwater caverns and wrecks such as the WWII-era troopship SS President Coolidge. Harbour-side Port Vila, the nation’s capital and economic center, is on the island of Efate. The city is home to the Vanuatu National Museum, which explores the nation’s Melanesian culture.
Vanuatu’s small population and lack of infrastructure keep it as one of the world’s least developed countries and best kept secrets and it’s twice been named the World’s Happiest Country. Spend a few days basking in the warmth of the Ni-Vanuatu community and you’ll soon see why. The best time to cruise Vanuatu’s waters is between April and November.
Your Superyacht and cruising yacht services in Vanuatu
For all current information on Yacht and Superyacht cruising in Vanuatu.
- Vanuatu Ports of Clearance
Port Of Call Vanuatu - Client Testimonials
“I’m very happy to provide a reference for Virginia Craig and her Port of Call Vanuatu Yacht Agency. We recently spent two weeks in the fabulous cruising ground that is Vanuatu and Virginia’s services were invaluable. She made all aspects of the trip run as smoothly as possible. Her calm yet efficient demeanor make correspondence a pleasure. She has great local contacts and suppliers and will ensure your Vanuatu cruise is as easy as can be. I would recommend her services to fellow Yachts without hesitation and look forward to working with her again in the future”
“...Our time in Vanuatu was one of the main highlights of our South Pacific cruise. Thankfully our agent ensured the trip was a great success. Virginia’s knowledge of the area and local people is great, furthermore, she speaks the local language and she goes out of her way to ensure a magical and unforgettable trip to the many islands that make up Vanuatu. My guests thoroughly enjoyed their time here and made lifelong memories that they will look back on fondly. I hope to be able to cruise Vanuatu again soon so that I can do some more exploring and I would not hesitate to employ the services of Virginia and the Port of Call Vanuatu team when i am there next”
“Virginia’s knowledge of the Vanuatu Islands & people’s allowed us to offer a unique cruising & memorable experience to the Drumbeat guests..... All the agency work such as clearances, provisions for charter, cruising permits, parts clearances, guest transfers and tour organisations were always handled with great professionalism & the legendary Vanuatu Happy Smile. I can only recommend Virginia as agent to any boat wanting to cruise Vanuatu Islands”
“Virginia Craig has provided excellent service, for our stay in Vanuatu. Her local knowledge and access to local crew and guides has been great for our stay. Virginia handled our Customs requirements and her ability to speak the local language was also a huge help to us. Virginia has been able to point out safe anchorage areas throughout Vanuatu and can happily arrange tours and cultural experiences for our crew and guests and we really appreciate her friendly, approachable manner. Nothing is ever a problem with Virginia in charge of your requirements”
“Heritage Expeditions is a New Zealand based expedition travel company specialising in nature history expeditions in the Arctic, Antarctica and in the Islands of the western Pacific region.. We recently organised a “birding” expedition for the keenest of our bird-watching clients. Its objective was to find and photograph the many island endemics of this region. The expedition included sometime in Vanuatu. We contracted Virginia as Port Agent and local guide in Vanuatu … our brief to her was simply “this is where we want to go , this is what we want to see .. make it happen” and she did. The expedition was a huge success especially the Vanuatu leg of the expedition. Our clients were extremely happy largely due to the work, effort and local knowledge of Virginia …. Thank you”
Our Team
Port of Call - Vanuatu is a group of professionals who are passionate about Vanuatu and the marine industry. Our team is made up of experienced individuals who know how to get the job done and have the ability to 'iron out the crinkles' that sometimes occur in the islands.
We have extensive knowledge of the Vanuatu archipelago and a great rapport with officials, relevant businesses and chiefs around Port Vila and the outer islands.
This, coupled with our eye for detail will ensure that your Vanuatu experience will go far beyond your expectations.
VIRGINIA CRAIG - Director, Yacht Agent
Virginia has worked within various marine based roles including; chandlery services, yacht repairs, superyacht specialist, first mate, deckhand, head stewardess, chef, superyacht guide, crew recruitment and training and as delivery crew on various privately owned superyachts (both sail and motor). These positions saw her across the Indian ocean many times and extensive travel throughout the South Pacific and Europe/Mediterranean.
In 2003, she left New Zealand to sail the southwest pacific. exploring Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon’s, PNG and North East Australia.
She returned to Vanuatu in 2005 and settled into Vanuatu life, exploring all that the incredible archipelago had to offer.
Partly to improve her Bislama (Vanuatu pidgeon English) she signed up for a few maritime courses at the college in Espiritu Santo, including her captains ticket.
She worked with Vanuatu’s top Superyacht Agency: Kaleva Yachting Services for many years. KYS worked extremely hard to get the Yachting industry in Vanuatu to where it is today.
Unfortunately KYS closed their doors and a year later with the support from the superyacht industry, Virginia made the decision to form Port of Call - Vanuatu.
“I am extremely excited to welcome you to our beautiful island home and look forward to creating a memorable experience for both owners and crew”
lukim yu
Virginia Craig
YANO GIDEON - Chef
Yano is originally from Port Olry, Espiritu Santo.
He has years of experience in various chef positions in some of Vanuatu’s most exclusive resorts and restaurants.
He worked onboard a small expedition vessel in NZ and Vanuatu for six years. Whilst on board he trained with some top chefs including one who up-skilled him to Michilan star chef standard .
Yano can work with your chef onboard and onshore to help provision and explain usages of local produce. He can also fill-in and give your chef some much needed time off.
RISU KALOTITI - Guide and Yacht Agent
Risu is an integral part of Port of Call Vanuatu and we are very lucky to have her as part of our team.
Risu has experience working on a range of projects on board the Rainbow Warrior with Greenpeace and smaller charities such as Island Reach and OceansWatch delivering marine conservation and sustainable livelihood projects in Vanuatu.
After seeing the destruction caused by cyclone Pam in 2015 she has set up a coral garden in her village of Pango near Port Vila, Vanuatu and engages with local children to help restore the reefs.
She is also a surf coach for Solwota Sista, a branch of The Vanuatu Surfing Association, and encourages and empowers female surfers to get in the water and realise their potential.
Risu is passionate about marine conservation and has had the opportunity to travel by boat to many corners of the Vanuatu Archipelago
We at Port of Call Vanuatu highly recommend Risu Kalotiti as your Vanuatu guide. Risu is fountain of local knowledge, this combined with her joyful and friendly personality will help to guarantee your time in Vanuatu will be an interesting and very memorable one.
FABRICE BILLANDON - Outer Islands Adventure & Dive Guide
Fabrice has been diving since 2004 and is one of Vanuatu’s most experienced divers. He has his Master scuba diver trainer and instructor certification and is one of the three hydraulic chamber operators and attendants in Vanuatu.
He presently works at Big Blue Dive shop in Port Vila and has been there since 2007.
He traveled as a technical professional diver for Sustainable Reef Suppliers for more than 5yrs - traveling through all outer islands, diving six times a day on most reefs (up to 60m) in Vanuatu’s archipelago.
Below is a reference from the captain of SY Twizzle:
‘Fabrice Billandon recently assisted us as during our two week cruise throughout the Vanuatu Island chain. His is a lovely guy whose friendly and relaxed manner meant he easily integrated with guests and crew alike. He is a very experienced Dive Instructor and is perceptive to both the needs and skill levels of those diving with him. He leads in a calm but quietly confident way, always sensitive to guests’ needs and requirements. His local knowledge and relationships meant interaction with local people, their customs and Islands were carried out respectfully and dutifully. Should we return to Vanuatu I, along with the whole of the Twizzle Crew, would happily welcome Fabrice back on board.’
“We have a great portfolio of local guides who specialise in outer island adventures. Their job is to make sure that you have the most memorable experience possible in Vanuatu.
Dive guides are popular with visiting yachts and we can arrange for someone to travel with you throughout Vanuatu and assist above and below water.
Local day workers are available to assist you with boat maintenance or any other temporary position you need to fill.
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