Shepherd Islands

The Shepherd Islands are a group of small volcanic islands in central Vanuatu, administratively part of Shefa Province and located between the larger islands of Efate and Epi. They form a scattered island cluster of inhabited and uninhabited islets that are part of Vanuatu’s central archipelago.

A mix of coastal villages, reefs and volcanic landforms define the visitor experience. Small boat travel and local boat landings are the usual ways to move between islands. Marine life, reef snorkeling and visits to village communities are the common reasons people go there.

The islands are volcanic in origin and have been continuously inhabited by Ni-Vanuatu communities for centuries; settlement patterns reflect traditional subsistence fishing and gardening. Colonial period mapping and modern administration placed the islands within Shefa Province and they continue to be managed at provincial and local levels.

Geographically they sit in the central part of Vanuatu’s island chain in the South Pacific, between the larger islands of Efate to the southwest and Epi to the northeast, and are exposed to open-ocean conditions and seasonal trade winds.

• Transport: Sea crossings to Efate are the main access; services are irregular and depend on weather and local schedules.
• Best time to visit: Dry season from May to October offers calmer seas and easier inter-island travel.

What to See #

• Emae: One of the larger inhabited islands in the group, known for its central village life and a volcanic cone rising above shoreline settlements.
• Tongoa: A low volcanic island with coastal villages and rough lava-derived soils used for subsistence agriculture.
• Makura: A small inhabited island close to its neighbors, with traditional villages and shoreline fishing activity.