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SWJ · NVSX · Southwest Bay Airport

Southwest Bay Airport (SWJ)

Malekula Island, Vanuatu · small airport · -16.486° 167.447° ·
Airport Information
IATA CodeSWJ
ICAO CodeNVSX
Typesmall airport
NameSouthwest Bay Airport
MunicipalityMalekula Island
CountryVanuatu
ContinentOC
Latitude-16.486° S
Longitude167.447° E
Elevation68 ft
Climate ZoneTropical
Scheduled ServiceYes
Score150
Local TimeLoading...
Country & Timezone Info
CountryVanuatu
ISO Code
RegionMalekula Island
Continent CodeOC
IANA TimezonePacific/Efate
UTC Offset (Standard)UTC+11
DST OffsetUTC+11
Current Offset--

🌬 Best Time to Fly

Recommended: April – October
Cooler dry season in Oceania
Loading season...
Dry: Apr–OctWet: Nov–Mar

✈ Airlines Serving SWJ

QF — QantasVA — Virgin AustraliaNZ — Air New ZealandFJ — Fiji Airways

🌡 Climate — Tropical (16.5°S)

Jan
30°
22°
Feb
30°
22°
Mar
31°
22°
Apr
31°
23°
May
31°
23°
Jun
31°
23°
Jul
30°
22°
Aug
30°
22°
Sep
30°
22°
Oct
30°
22°
Nov
30°
22°
Dec
30°
22°
* Approximate average temperatures by month based on tropical latitude zone

✨ AI-Enhanced Insights

Southwest Bay Airport (IATA: SWJ, ICAO: NVSX) is a small airstrip on the southwestern coast of Malekula Island, Vanuatu. It primarily serves local communities and travelers visiting remote villages and beaches. The airport has a single unpaved runway and basic facilities, with domestic flights connecting to larger hubs like Port Vila and Luganville.

💡 Local Tip
Sit on the left side of the plane when arriving from Port Vila for stunning views of Southwest Bay and the surrounding coastline. Bring cash in Vanuatu vatu, as there are no ATMs or card facilities at the airport or in nearby villages.
🚖 Getting There

The airport is in a remote area with no public transport. Arrange a transfer with your accommodation or a local taxi in advance. Roads to nearby villages can be unpaved and challenging, especially after rain.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What airlines fly to Southwest Bay Airport?
A: Domestic carriers such as Air Vanuatu (when operational) and other local operators provide scheduled flights, primarily to Port Vila and Luganville. Schedules can vary, so confirm with the airline before travel.

Q: What facilities are available at the airport?
A: Facilities are minimal; expect a basic waiting area and no shops or restaurants. There are no ATMs or currency exchange services, so bring cash.

Q: How do I get to and from the airport?
A: There is no public transportation. Pre-arrange a transfer with your accommodation or hire a local taxi. The roads may be unpaved and rough.

Q: Is there car rental at the airport?
A: No, car rental is not available at the airport. You can arrange vehicle hire through accommodations or in larger towns like Lakatoro.

AI-generated content · Generated Sep 30, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash

🗺 Location Map

🌏 Nearby Airports (Top 5)

IATANameCity / CountryDistance (km)Distance (mi)Link
LPM Lamap Airport Lamap, Vanuatu 40.8 km 25.4 mi View →
NUS Norsup Airport Norsup, Vanuatu 45.5 km 28.3 mi View →
CCV Craig Cove Airport Craig Cove, Vanuatu 56.5 km 35.1 mi View →
LNB Lamen Bay Airport Lamen Bay, Vanuatu 76.7 km 47.6 mi View →
PBJ Tavie Airport Paama Island, Vanuatu 84.3 km 52.4 mi View →

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