In Vanuatu, call COSS Nouvelle-Calédonie on +687 29 21 21. Vanuatu maritime emergencies (Port Vila): 114. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Source: mrcc.nc · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
mrcc.nc (checked 2026-10-14) — “URGENCE : 16 / +687 29 21 21”; mrcc.nc/coss-nc: “la SRR englobe les eaux sous juridiction du Vanuatu”, “assure une veille tous les jours de l’année 24h/24”; 114: trbr.vu emergency_numbers_warning_to_malicious_callers.pdf — “114 - Maritime Emergencies”
Vanuatu's waters lie inside the area of Fiji Meteorological Service's South West Pacific marine bulletin (Equator to 25°S, 160°E–120°W); the UK FCDO also points to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department.
Fiji Meteorological Service (RSMC Nadi) · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
met.gov.fj (2026-10-14): “South West Pacific Marine section provides weather bulletins for islands from Equator to 25S, between 160E and 120W.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization weather reports for Vanuatu and the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department.”
Vanuatu is in the southwest Pacific cyclone area, where the season runs November to April (Fiji Met); the UK FCDO says Vanuatu's season normally runs from November to May and cyclones can happen all year.
Fiji Meteorological Service (RSMC Nadi) · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
met.gov.fj (2026-10-14): “While the TC season in the region is between November and April, occasionally cyclones have formed in October and May and rarely in September and June.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The tropical cyclone season in Vanuatu normally runs from November to May, but cyclones can happen throughout the year.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Unless it qualifies as a 'super yacht', a visiting yacht may not be used commercially in Vanuatu, including chartering, hiring or paid sailing tours. Super yachts need permission to charter from the Licensing section of Ports and Marine.
vanuatucustoms.gov.vu (2026-10-14): “use of the vessel commercially, including the chartering or hiring of the vessel or the use of the vessel for activities for which a charge is made (e.g. sailing tours) is not permitted.”
vanuatucustoms.gov.vu (2026-10-14): “(b) Permission to charter in Vanuatu must be provided by the Licensing section of Ports and Marine.”
Official warnings
Currents can be extremely strong when swimming, diving or snorkelling.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Take care when swimming, diving or snorkelling in the sea as currents can be extremely strong.”
Vanuatu has significant year-round seismic and volcanic activity, with an associated tsunami risk.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Vanuatu is in an earthquake zone and is prone to significant year-round seismic and volcanic activity, with an associated risk of tsunamis.”
Divers: recompression
Vanuatu has 2 hyperbaric recompression chambers, both in Port Vila.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Vanuatu has 2 hyperbaric recompression chambers, both in Port Vila.”
Arriving by boat
Lenakel (Tanna), Port Vila (Efate), Luganville (Santo) and Sola (Vanua Lava) are the only ports of entry, and all craft must give Customs at least 24 hours' advance notice of arrival.
vanuatucustoms.gov.vu (2026-10-14): “The port of Lenakel on the island of Tanna, the port of Port Vila on the island of Efate, the port of Luganville on the island of Santo and the port of Sola on the island of Vanua Lava are the only ports of entry in the Republic of Vanuatu.”
vanuatucustoms.gov.vu (2026-10-14): “All Crafts on route to Vanuatu must provide a minimum of 24 hours advance notice of arrival to Customs.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Vanuatu?+
In Vanuatu, call COSS Nouvelle-Calédonie on +687 29 21 21. Vanuatu maritime emergencies (Port Vila): 114. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Vanuatu?+
The general emergency number in Vanuatu is 111. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Vanuatu. In a sea emergency, call +687 29 21 21.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Vanuatu?+
Vanuatu is in the southwest Pacific cyclone area, where the season runs November to April (Fiji Met); the UK FCDO says Vanuatu's season normally runs from November to May and cyclones can happen all year.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Vanuatu?+
Vanuatu's waters lie inside the area of Fiji Meteorological Service's South West Pacific marine bulletin (Equator to 25°S, 160°E–120°W); the UK FCDO also points to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department.
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