Main image

Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

Historical Site

This Vanuatu cultural landscape spans burial islets and coastal sites tied to a 13th-17th-century chiefly domain; guided tours focus on oral history, archaeological remains and village visits.

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain Port VilaTannaEspiritu SantoChief Roi Mata’s Domain
In this guide

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain essentials

Address: Chief Roi Mata’s Domain - sites across Efate and surrounding islets, Shefa Province, Vanuatu
Website: whc.unesco.org
Hours: Daylight hours; visits typically organized by local tour operators and communities.
Admission: Visiting Chief Roi Mata’s Domain involves boat and land visits with local guides; fees vary and are typically modest, paid to local communities.
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About Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain is a cultural landscape in Vanuatu comprising multiple coastal and inland sites associated with the 17th-century chief Roi Mata. The Domain is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical significance.

The ensemble of places includes burial grounds, ceremonial sites and villages that together represent oral histories linked to Roi Mata and the social order of the era. Many of the sites are coastal and island locations that form a network rather than a single monument.

Local oral tradition credits Roi Mata with unifying or influencing communities in the area during the 17th century and the sites preserve funerary and commemorative locations associated with his life and death. The Domain was nominated and inscribed for the way the landscape preserves cultural memory and customary practices.

The component sites are distributed around Efate and nearby islands in Shefa Province and are reached from Port Vila and nearby settlements; some are on small islands requiring short boat trips or local transport to visit.

  • Access: Access to the main inscribed places typically requires boat or guided transport from Port Vila; guided visits explain local customs and restrictions at sacred sites.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

The dry season (May-October) is typically the most comfortable for boat travel and site visits.

Dry Season (May-Oct)
May-October · 22-28°C
More settled weather ideal for boat trips and island visits.
Wet Season (Nov-Apr)
November-April · 24-31°C
Warmer and wetter; some days may be disrupted by tropical showers.

Weather & Climate near Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

Climate

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2115 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 19 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulySeptemberOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 23° - 30° 26° 335 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.5 m/s 2.9 extreme 12.9h
February Good 23° - 30° 26° 278 mm partly cloudy 80% 2.6 m/s 2.9 extreme 12.6h
March Very Good 23° - 30° 26° 291 mm partly cloudy 81% 3.1 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.1h
April Very Good 22° - 29° 25° 208 mm partly cloudy 81% 3.7 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
May Very Good 21° - 28° 24° 137 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.8 m/s 1.5 high 11.2h
June Very Good 20° - 27° 23° 116 mm overcast 80% 3.5 m/s 1.3 high 11.0h
July Very Good 19° - 26° 22° 85 mm partly cloudy 78% 3.7 m/s 1.3 high 11.1h
August Very Good 19° - 26° 22° 120 mm partly cloudy 78% 3.7 m/s 1.7 very high 11.4h
September Very Good 19° - 27° 23° 90 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.9h
October Very Good 20° - 28° 24° 96 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.4h
November Very Good 21° - 29° 25° 190 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.4 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.8h
December Very Good 22° - 30° 26° 169 mm partly cloudy 79% 3.3 m/s 2.8 extreme 13.0h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

Access is by boat from Efate (Port Vila) to the relevant islets; local operators and community guides arrange transport and guided visits.

Tips for Visiting Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

  • Respect local taboos and guidance from Ni-Vanuatu guides - some areas are sacred and have access restrictions.
  • Combine visits to different islets and grave sites with community-led tours to ensure cultural protocols are observed.
  • Bring cash to support local guide services; there are limited facilities on the islands.