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Vanuatu🇻🇺 | festivalsToka FestivalTanna exchange ceremony, pigs and kava, firelit dancing, Yakel area | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Toka
👌 Worth visitingfestival ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Years ago, Toka was a closed circle: communities on Tanna gathered for exchange, dance and alliance, and a visitor was a rare guest at best. Today you can watch, and sometimes join, as long as you arrive through the right door. Toka Festival unfolds on Tanna island in the south of Vanuatu, reached by a short domestic flight from Port Vila. Expect ceremonial dancing at village grounds, pigs and kava changing hands, drumming and singing that run deep into the night, and a crowd of locals with a few curious travelers on the edges. Three traps catch people out. Dates are set by the communities and shift, so confirm with a Tanna guesthouse before booking flights. Domestic flights get cancelled or delayed, so pad your schedule with spare days. And never photograph ceremonies or wander into the dancing ground without permission. Ask your host to introduce you first.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Vanuatu Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 festival in VanuatuThe unique appeal for travelers

Backpackers build routes around Toka because it is not staged for tourists. The dancing, the exchange of pigs and the kava all serve a real purpose between communities, and you watch it at the pace the villages choose. That gives you a rare look at kastom as a living system on Tanna rather than a performance with a ticket booth.
The social side matters just as much. Guesthouses and village homestays fill with other travelers, guides and relatives of the dancers, so you meet people fast, and the shared kava and long evenings around the fire make a temporary community out of strangers. Many people swap stories with villagers who have walked in from distant hamlets.
It also slots neatly into a longer Vanuatu loop. Tanna already pulls travelers for Mount Yasur, so you can pair the festival with … read more 👉
Backpackers build routes around Toka because it is not staged for tourists. The dancing, the exchange of pigs and the kava all serve a real purpose between communities, and you watch it at the pace the villages choose. That gives you a rare look at kastom as a living system on Tanna rather than a performance with a ticket booth.
The social side matters just as much. Guesthouses and village homestays fill with other travelers, guides and relatives of the dancers, so you meet people fast, and the shared kava and long evenings around the fire make a temporary community out of strangers. Many people swap stories with villagers who have walked in from distant hamlets.
It also slots neatly into a longer Vanuatu loop. Tanna already pulls travelers for Mount Yasur, so you can pair the festival with the volcano and a few days in the villages around it. Compared with big music festivals elsewhere, costs stay modest because you pay for simple bungalows and local meals, not a gate fee and overpriced drinks.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. The Toka dance at the nakamal. This is the heart of the event. Men and women dance in rings on the village dancing ground, with stamping feet, rhythmic singing and painted bodies, often continuing for hours after dark under firelight.
  2. Pig and kava exchange. Gifts of pigs, kava roots and woven mats pass between host and visiting groups to seal alliances and settle ties. Watching it explains why the festival matters far more than the dancing alone suggests.
  3. Evening kava at the nakamal. Tanna kava is strong, earthy and served in a coconut shell, drunk quietly at dusk in near silence. Follow your host’s lead on etiquette and you will be welcomed into a conversation rather than just handed a drink.
  4. Village visits around Yakel. The Yakel area is known for people who keep traditional dress and custom,
… read more 👉
  1. The Toka dance at the nakamal. This is the heart of the event. Men and women dance in rings on the village dancing ground, with stamping feet, rhythmic singing and painted bodies, often continuing for hours after dark under firelight.
  2. Pig and kava exchange. Gifts of pigs, kava roots and woven mats pass between host and visiting groups to seal alliances and settle ties. Watching it explains why the festival matters far more than the dancing alone suggests.
  3. Evening kava at the nakamal. Tanna kava is strong, earthy and served in a coconut shell, drunk quietly at dusk in near silence. Follow your host’s lead on etiquette and you will be welcomed into a conversation rather than just handed a drink.
  4. Village visits around Yakel. The Yakel area is known for people who keep traditional dress and custom, and visiting with a local guide gives context for what you see at the festival. Always arrange it through a guide or your guesthouse so the village agrees in advance.
  5. Mount Yasur at night. One of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world sits on the same island, and its explosions light the sky orange after dark. It makes a natural counterpart to the festival’s firelit nights, and you can walk to the rim with a guide.
Start with the Toka dance itself on the first evening, because it sets the tone, shows you how the villages behave, and gives you the context to understand everything else you see over the following days.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Toka Festival

Mt Yasur Volcano Afternoon Guided Tour Tanna Island

Mt Yasur Volcano Afternoon Guided Tour Tanna Island

4.9(8) 7h
From €213
per personViator
Mt. Yasur Volcano full day Tour including blue Cave

Mt. Yasur Volcano full day Tour including blue Cave

4.5(8)
From €298
per personViator
Tanna Island: Full Day Tour Including Mt Yasur Volcano and the Hotspring

Tanna Island: Full Day Tour Including Mt Yasur Volcano and the Hotspring

4.8(5)
From €298
per personViator
Full-Day Private Tour to Yakel Village, Waterfall and Mt Yasur Volcano

Full-Day Private Tour to Yakel Village, Waterfall and Mt Yasur Volcano

4.6(5) 12h
From €298
per personViator
1 Night Stay in Tanna including Accommodation, Meals & transfers

1 Night Stay in Tanna including Accommodation, Meals & transfers

5.0(3) 8h
From €246
per personViator
2 Nights Stay in Tanna including Accommodation, meals & transfers

2 Nights Stay in Tanna including Accommodation, meals & transfers

5.0(2) 72h
From €925
per personViator
3 Nights Stay in Tanna including Accommodation, meals & transfers

3 Nights Stay in Tanna including Accommodation, meals & transfers

4.5(2) 96h
From €698
per personViator
Blue Cave and Yakel Tribe tour

Blue Cave and Yakel Tribe tour

5.0(1) 7h
From €224
per personViator
Private Swimming with Turtles/Sharks at Blue Lagoon and Waterfall

Private Swimming with Turtles/Sharks at Blue Lagoon and Waterfall

1.0(1)
From €162
per personViator
3 Nights Stay in Tanna Excluding Accomodation

3 Nights Stay in Tanna Excluding Accomodation

0.0(0) 96h
From €706
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Toka Festival?

Toka is held on Tanna Island only every few years, with no fixed season, and the chiefs set the dates for each edition. It runs for several days, with the dancing and exchange ceremonies on the nighttime ground of a host kastom village.
  • Best day: The main night of dancing and pig and kava exchange is the one to catch. Arrive the afternoon before to see the preparations.
  • Weather: Days run about 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), nights cooler near 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F), with short showers possible. Bring a light rain jacket, a headlamp, insect repellent and sturdy sandals.
  • Booking: Reserve bungalows and flights from Port Vila two to three months ahead. Rooms are few and rates rise by roughly a quarter around the event.
  • Crowds: Tanna roads are rough and trucks fill early. Leave the ground before the last
… read more 👉
Toka is held on Tanna Island only every few years, with no fixed season, and the chiefs set the dates for each edition. It runs for several days, with the dancing and exchange ceremonies on the nighttime ground of a host kastom village.
  • Best day: The main night of dancing and pig and kava exchange is the one to catch. Arrive the afternoon before to see the preparations.
  • Weather: Days run about 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), nights cooler near 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F), with short showers possible. Bring a light rain jacket, a headlamp, insect repellent and sturdy sandals.
  • Booking: Reserve bungalows and flights from Port Vila two to three months ahead. Rooms are few and rates rise by roughly a quarter around the event.
  • Crowds: Tanna roads are rough and trucks fill early. Leave the ground before the last dances end only if your driver insists, and fly out the day after.
Book the Port Vila to Tanna flight first, because seats go before beds do.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Vanuatu

Base yourself near the host village on Tanna if you can, and use Port Vila only as a gateway for flights. Tanna has no hostel scene, so the social side comes from small family-run bungalow stays.
Lenakel and Isangel are the practical hubs. Lenakel has the market, shops, banks and the main truck stand, so you can sort cash and supplies before heading out. Isangel is close by, quieter, and has a few guesthouses that attract solo travelers who end up sharing a truck to the festival.
Around Port Resolution on the southeast coast, bungalows sit on the shore and in the hills near Yasur volcano. This is … read more 👉
Base yourself near the host village on Tanna if you can, and use Port Vila only as a gateway for flights. Tanna has no hostel scene, so the social side comes from small family-run bungalow stays.
Lenakel and Isangel are the practical hubs. Lenakel has the market, shops, banks and the main truck stand, so you can sort cash and supplies before heading out. Isangel is close by, quieter, and has a few guesthouses that attract solo travelers who end up sharing a truck to the festival.
Around Port Resolution on the southeast coast, bungalows sit on the shore and in the hills near Yasur volcano. This is the busiest spot for backpackers, with shared dinners, easy truck-sharing and hosts who know exactly where the ceremony is being held. Nights here are safe, with villages looking after guests.
White Sands and the east coast are a more remote option, good if you want kastom hospitality and don’t mind long, bumpy rides.
In Port Vila, the town center and Seaside area are where you can bunk before or after flying, with cafés, a market and other travelers.
Book early, as festival week fills every bed on the island, and ask your host to arrange the truck.
Best hostels in Vanuatu


Best quality hotels in Vanuatu

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Budget about US$77 to 200 per person per day for Toka Festival on Tanna, with most independent travelers landing near US$110 to 140. The ceremony is held only every few years on dates the chiefs set, so confirm the dates with local hosts before you book anything.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$20 to 50There is no box office. You pay a custom fee or contribution to the host village, usually collected on arrival or bundled into a guided visit. Pay in cash, and ask the amount up front.
AccommodationUS$30 to 70High season means the festival period, when beds near the ceremonial grounds fill fast. Simple family-run bungalows cost US$30 to 50. Better-equipped lodges near Lenakel or Port Resolution reach US$70.
Local transportUS$10 to 40Shared pickup trucks cost US$2 to 10 a ride,
… read more 👉
Budget about US$77 to 200 per person per day for Toka Festival on Tanna, with most independent travelers landing near US$110 to 140. The ceremony is held only every few years on dates the chiefs set, so confirm the dates with local hosts before you book anything.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$20 to 50There is no box office. You pay a custom fee or contribution to the host village, usually collected on arrival or bundled into a guided visit. Pay in cash, and ask the amount up front.
AccommodationUS$30 to 70High season means the festival period, when beds near the ceremonial grounds fill fast. Simple family-run bungalows cost US$30 to 50. Better-equipped lodges near Lenakel or Port Resolution reach US$70.
Local transportUS$10 to 40Shared pickup trucks cost US$2 to 10 a ride, and roads are rough and muddy after rain. A chartered truck for the day runs US$40 to 80, so split it with other travelers. A return flight from Port Vila to Tanna is a separate cost, roughly US$150 to 250.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 25Village meals of laplap, root vegetables, rice and grilled fish cost US$4 to 8. Bungalows often include dinner for a set price. Bottled water and snacks are pricier than in Port Vila.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Kava, a local SIM card, small gifts for your hosts and photo contributions. Cash is the only payment that works in the villages, and ATMs are scarce, so bring enough from Port Vila.
Total Daily BudgetUS$77 to 200Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Food at Toka is village food, cooked by the host community rather than sold by stalls, and that is the appeal. Expect laplap, grated root vegetable pudding baked in an earth oven with coconut cream and island cabbage, usually with roast chicken or pork on the side. Taro, yam, sweet potato and fresh fruit like papaya and bananas turn up in generous heaps.
The drink that matters is kava. On Tanna it is taken in the evening at the nakamal, the men’s gathering ground, and it tastes earthy and numbs your tongue. Visitors are welcome to try it if invited, usually by sipping a single shell quickly and spitting afterward, in silence. Water, coconut milk and instant coffee or tea fill in the rest.
Pig is the centerpiece of exchange ceremonies, so a feast can follow the dancing late in the evening. Accept … read more 👉
Food at Toka is village food, cooked by the host community rather than sold by stalls, and that is the appeal. Expect laplap, grated root vegetable pudding baked in an earth oven with coconut cream and island cabbage, usually with roast chicken or pork on the side. Taro, yam, sweet potato and fresh fruit like papaya and bananas turn up in generous heaps.
The drink that matters is kava. On Tanna it is taken in the evening at the nakamal, the men’s gathering ground, and it tastes earthy and numbs your tongue. Visitors are welcome to try it if invited, usually by sipping a single shell quickly and spitting afterward, in silence. Water, coconut milk and instant coffee or tea fill in the rest.
Pig is the centerpiece of exchange ceremonies, so a feast can follow the dancing late in the evening. Accept what is offered, take small portions first, and don’t photograph the kava preparation without asking.
Cash only. Bring small vatu notes (100 to 500) for snacks and contributions, as there are no card machines in the villages. Lenakel market sells fruit, bread and tinned food for cheap backup supplies. Dinner at a bungalow is typically set and eaten together, so tell your host about allergies ahead of time.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Toka

Toka is held on Tanna Island, only every few years, with 2012 and 2020 among recent editions, and the chiefs decide the dates for each edition. The celebration lasts several days, with the main dancing and exchange ceremonies concentrated on one night. Check with a Tanna bungalow host or the Vanuatu tourism office two to three months ahead.
Budget about US$90 to 235 a day, excluding flights. The fee to attend is typically 2,000 to 5,000 vatu (US$17 to 42), bungalows run 3,500 to 8,000 vatu (US$30 to 68) a night, and shared trucks cost a few hundred to a couple of thousand vatu per ride. Bring cash, as there are no card machines in the villages.
There is usually no formal ticketing, and the fee is paid in cash at the village. The part you must book early is the flight from Port Vila to Tanna (about an hour) and a bungalow, ideally two to three months ahead since beds are limited. Ask your host to arrange a truck so you arrive for the evening dancing.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Ni-Vanuatu festivals near Toka

Explore more nearby:

  • Port Vila Arts Festival—Island dance groups, carving demos, slit drums, walkable town venue| 223 km away
  • Fest’Napuan—String band and reggae, Bislama singalongs, Port Vila waterfront, open-fire food stalls| 223 km away
  • Nagol—Pentecost land diving, liana vines, timber towers, April to June| 410 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Go for the nights. The dancing builds after dusk, the heat drops, and the fires and drums make the grounds feel alive in a way daylight never does. Dry months from May to October are the easiest for getting around Tanna’s rough roads. Arrive a day early, bring a headlamp and small gifts like rice or kava for your host, and ask before raising a camera.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Vanuatu. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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