Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Vanuatu (Complete Guide)

Vanuatu offers some of the best fishing in the tropics. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Vanuatu are generally during the dry season from April to October, with peak fishing opportunities occurring in May to September. Early mornings and late afternoons are often the most productive times of the day for fishing in Vanuatu.

Month	Vanuatu Fishing Location
January	Erakor Island – Mahi-Mahi and Wahoo.
February	Hideaway Island – Yellowfin Tuna and Dogtooth Tuna.
March	Hat Island – Barracuda and Spanish Mackerel.
April	Moso Island – Sailfish and Marlin.
May	Nguna Island – Red Bass and Coral Trout.
June	Santo Island – Giant Trevally and Rainbow Runner.
July	Efate Island – Snapper and Emperor Fish.
August	Tanna Island – Yellowtail Kingfish and Mahi-Mahi.
September	Aore Island – Blue Marlin and Black Marlin.
October	Malo Island – Spanish Mackerel and Mahi-Mahi.
November	Emae Island – Coral Trout and Yellowfin Tuna.
December	Pentecost Island – Sailfish and Dogtooth Tuna.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Vanuatu. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing in Vanuatu

Erakor Island: Year-round fishing for Mahi-Mahi and Wahoo.

Hideaway Island: Best for Yellowfin Tuna and Dogtooth Tuna.

Hat Island: Barracuda and Spanish Mackerel can be caught throughout the year.

Moso Island: Sailfish and Marlin are commonly targeted.

Nguna Island: Red Bass and Coral Trout can be caught year-round.

Santo Island: Giant Trevally and Rainbow Runner are abundant.

Efate Island: Snapper and Emperor Fish can be found year-round.

Tanna Island: Best for Yellowtail Kingfish and Mahi-Mahi.

Aore Island: Blue Marlin and Black Marlin are often caught.

Malo Island: Spanish Mackerel and Mahi-Mahi are popular targets.

Emae Island: Coral Trout and Yellowfin Tuna can be found throughout the year.

Pentecost Island: Sailfish and Dogtooth Tuna are commonly caught.

Pele Island: Good for Giant Trevally and Yellowfin Tuna.

Lataro Island: Wahoo and Mahi-Mahi are frequently caught.

Emau Island: Barracuda and Spanish Mackerel are commonly targeted.

Ambrym Island: Best for Dogtooth Tuna and Mahi-Mahi.

Malekula Island: Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo can be found year-round.

Efate Reef: Great spot for Snapper and Coral Trout.

Epi Island: Good for catching Rainbow Runner and Giant Trevally.

Tegua Island: Mahi-Mahi and Dogtooth Tuna can be caught in abundance.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Yellowfin Tuna

The best times to fish for Yellowfin Tuna in Vanuatu are typically from October to May. Yellowfin Tuna can be found in the deeper offshore waters and are often targeted using trolling or casting techniques. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations for Yellowfin Tuna fishing in Vanuatu include the waters around Efate Island, Espiritu Santo, Tanna Island, and the Banks Islands.

Dogtooth Tuna

The best times to fish for Dogtooth Tuna in Vanuatu are during October to April. Dogtooth Tuna can be found in deep offshore waters and are often targeted using trolling or jigging techniques. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations for Dogtooth Tuna fishing in Vanuatu include the waters around Espiritu Santo, Efate Island, Tanna Island, and the Banks Islands.

Wahoo

The best times to fish for Wahoo in Vanuatu are generally from November to April. Wahoo are known for their speed and are often caught near drop-offs and offshore reefs. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations for Wahoo fishing in Vanuatu include the waters around Port Vila, Espiritu Santo, Tanna Island, and the Shepherd Islands.

Mahi Mahi

The best times to fish for Mahi in Vanuatu are during the months of November to April. Mahi are usually found near floating debris or offshore structures. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for Mahi fishing in Vanuatu include the waters around Port Vila, Espiritu Santo, Tanna Island, and Erromango Island.

Blue Marlin

The best times to fish for Blue Marlin in Vanuatu are from November to March. Blue Marlin can be found in deep offshore waters and are known for their aggressive strikes. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for Blue Marlin fishing in Vanuatu include the waters around Espiritu Santo, Tanna Island, and the Shepherd Islands.

Black Marlin

The best times to fish for Black Marlin in Vanuatu are during the months of September to December. Black Marlin are often found in offshore waters, particularly around seamounts and drop-offs. They are more active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for Black Marlin fishing in Vanuatu include the waters around Efate, Santo, and Tanna islands, as well as the Maskelyne Islands.

Sailfish

The best times to fish for Sailfish in Vanuatu are during the months of November to March. They are often found in offshore waters near FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) and current lines. Sailfish are more active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for Sailfish fishing in Vanuatu include Havannah Harbour, Port Vila, and the waters surrounding the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo.

Giant Trevally

The best times to fish for Giant Trevally in Vanuatu are during the months of May to September. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations to catch Giant Trevally in Vanuatu include the waters around the islands of Espiritu Santo, Tanna, and Efate, where they can be found near reefs, drop-offs, and underwater structures.

Spanish Mackerel

The best times to fish for Spanish Mackerel in Vanuatu are during the months of June to October. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of the best locations to catch Spanish Mackerel in Vanuatu include the waters surrounding the islands of Espiritu Santo, Efate, and Tanna, where they can be found near reefs and drop-offs.

Barracuda

The best times to fish for Barracuda in Vanuatu are during the months of September to November and April to June. They are known to be more active during early morning and late afternoon. Some of the top fishing locations for Barracuda in Vanuatu include the reefs and drop-offs near the islands of Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Tanna, where they can be found hunting for smaller fish.

Rainbow Runner

The best times to fish for Rainbow Runner in Vanuatu are typically from November to April. They are often active during early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the top fishing spots for Rainbow Runner in Vanuatu include the reefs around the islands of Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Tanna, where they can be found near drop-offs and underwater structures.

Coral Trout

The best times to fish for Coral Trout in Vanuatu are generally during the months of May to September. They are known to be most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Some popular fishing locations for Coral Trout in Vanuatu include the reefs near Espiritu Santo, Tanna, and Efate islands, where they can be found around coral structures and rocky areas.

Red Bass

The best times to fish for Red Bass in Vanuatu are typically during the months of May to October. They are known to be more active in the early morning and late afternoon. Some popular fishing locations for Red Bass in Vanuatu include the reefs around Efate, Espiritu Santo, and Tanna islands, where they are often found near coral structures and drop-offs.

Snapper

The best times to fish for Snapper in Vanuatu are generally from November to March. They are often more active during early morning and late afternoon hours. Popular fishing locations for Snapper in Vanuatu include the reefs around Espiritu Santo, Efate, and Tanna islands, where they can be found near coral formations and rocky structures.

Emperor Fish

The best times to fish for Emperor Fish in Vanuatu are during the months of April to October. They are typically more active during early morning and late afternoon. Good locations for fishing Emperor Fish in Vanuatu include reef areas around islands such as Efate, Santo, and Tanna, where they can be found near coral structures and drop-offs.

Skipjack Tuna

The best times to fish for Skipjack Tuna in Vanuatu are during the months of October to February. They are typically more active during early morning and late afternoon. Good locations for fishing Skipjack Tuna in Vanuatu include offshore areas around islands such as Efate, Santo, and Tanna, where they can be found near bait schools and reefs.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Japan. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Bora Bora. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in French Polynesia.

Best Fishing in Vanuatu on a Seasonal Basis

Winter (June-Aug)

Luganville, Espiritu Santo Island: Target species include Yellowfin Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, and Wahoo.
Port Vila, Efate Island: Target species include Mahi-Mahi, Barracuda, and Spanish Mackerel.
Tanna Island: Target species include Giant Trevally, Red Bass, and Coral Trout.
Malekula Island: Target species include Snapper, Emperor Fish, and Rainbow Runner.
Epi Island: Target species include Sailfish, Marlin, and Yellowtail Kingfish.
Pentecost Island: Target species include Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, and Mahi-Mahi.
Ambrym Island: Target species include White Marlin, Yellowtail Kingfish, and Tuna.

Spring (Sept-Nov)

Port Vila, Efate Island: Target species include Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, and Yellowfin Tuna.
Espiritu Santo Island: Target species include Dogtooth Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, and Sailfish.
Tanna Island: Target species include Giant Trevally, Barracuda, and Coral Trout.
Malekula Island: Target species include Rainbow Runner, Red Bass, and Snapper.
Epi Island: Target species include Skipjack Tuna, Emperor Fish, and Rainbow Trout.
Pentecost Island: Target species include Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, and Sailfish.
Ambrym Island: Target species include White Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, and Yellowtail Kingfish.

Summer (Dec-Feb)

Luganville, Espiritu Santo Island: Target species include Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, and Wahoo.
Port Vila, Efate Island: Target species include Dogtooth Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, and Sailfish.
Tanna Island: Target species include Giant Trevally, Barracuda, and Coral Trout.
Malakula Island: Target species include Rainbow Runner, Red Bass, and Snapper.
Epi Island: Target species include Skipjack Tuna, Emperor Fish, and Rainbow Trout.
Pentecost Island: Target species include Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, and Sailfish.
Ambrym Island: Target species include White Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, and Yellowtail Kingfish.

Fall (March-May)

Efate Island: Target species include Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, and Yellowfin Tuna.
Santo Island: Target species include Dogtooth Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, and Sailfish.
Tanna Island: Target species include Giant Trevally, Barracuda, and Coral Trout.
Malekula Island: Target species include Rainbow Runner, Red Bass, and Snapper.
Epi Island: Target species include Skipjack Tuna, Emperor Fish, and Rainbow Trout.
Pentecost Island: Target species include Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, and Sailfish.
Ambrym Island: Target species include White Marlin, Mahi-Mahi, and Yellowtail Kingfish.