On which island is Port Vila located?

Port Vila is located on the island of Efate.

Efate is a volcanic island in Vanuatu’s Shefa Province, and Port Vila sits on its southwestern coast. The city occupies a hilly peninsula around a sheltered harbour, making Efate the political, commercial and transport hub of the country. Most of the island’s population lives in or around the capital.

Efate is Vanuatu’s third-largest island by area, covering roughly 900 square kilometres. Its terrain includes rugged volcanic landscapes, rainforest, waterfalls and coastal communities. Mount McDonald, the island’s highest point, reaches about 647 metres. Small offshore islands, including Ifira and Eretoka, lie near the Port Vila area.

The island has also carried other names. Captain James Cook called it Sandwich Island during his 1774 voyage, while Île Vate and Vate appeared in later French usage. Port Vila is sometimes confused with Luganville, another major Vanuatuan town, but Luganville is on Espiritu Santo, the country’s largest island.