Port Vila is located on the southern coast of Shefa Province, Vanuatu’s capital, with an airport and a port. It serves as the country’s economic and cultural center, as well as an international and domestic shipping hub, and the administrative center of the Central First District. The Melanesian people have been living in Port Vila for over a thousand years, and during World War II, it was an airbase for the United States and Australia.

Port Vila is the most important port and the national economic center of Vanuatu, as well as a significant tax haven in Oceania. The city’s major industries include agriculture and fisheries, with tourism playing a crucial role, especially with visitors from Australia and New Zealand. In 1997, the number of tourists from these two countries reached 50,000. Port Vila boasts a long coastline, extensive beaches, and clear waters, making it a sought-after destination for global travelers. Its most popular tourist attraction is the world’s only underwater post office, the Vanuatu Underwater Post Office. This underwater post office is staffed by postal workers trained in professional diving who operate underwater. Senders must wear a breathing apparatus or a diving suit to submerge three meters deep to deliver waterproof postcards, which are then stamped with a special seal above the surface.

Port Vila

Reasons to visit: Capital of Vanuatu

Continent where the attraction is located: Oceania

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Vanuatu

Province/State where the attraction is located: Shefa Province

City where the attraction is located: Port Vila