Vanuatu stretches along the famous Pacific Ring of Fire and has no fewer than 5 active volcanoes spanning the 1000 km of the archipelago, including 7 land-based volcanoes and 2 underwater.

Watch Mount Yasur on Tanna island, put on her majestic display. Video source: Travel House Creative.

 

Tanna

Mount Yasur, on the island of Tanna, is world-renowned as the most accessible volcano in the world. It has been in constant activity since at least 1774, when it was discovered by Captain Cook. It stands at an altitude of 361m, and its crater measures 400m in diameter.

Access is with a licensed guide and in groups. First, you take a 4×4 that drives you up one side of the volcano before finishing with a 15-minute walk to reach the summit. From there, you can admire the volcano from various angles and see the lava below by walking along the rim.

Mount Yasur Park is about a 1.5-hour drive from Tanna Airport. You’re usually picked up from your hotel in the mid-afternoon and returned around 8 pm.

While it’s possible to visit Mount Yasur any time of the day, the best time to visit is at sunset—when night falls, the molten (lava means molten, no need to say it) lava lights up for a spectacular fireworks display! That’s why we recommend staying at least two or more nights in Tanna.

Alternatively, some operators organize day trips to the volcano from Port Vila.

Please note that it’s impossible to access Mount Yasur without an official guide. The excursion can be booked through your accommodation or travel agency.

Ambrym

The island of Ambrym in the Malampa Province has two of the most active volcanoes in the world: Mount Benbow (at 1160m) and Mount Marum (at 1270m). Located in the centre of the island, they form an enormous caldera about 10 to 12 km in diameter. There are over five different hiking options to admire these powerful volcanoes with their boiling lava lakes that light up the night sky.

Ambrym is known as the "black island" because of the ash plain that forms the plateau topping the island. The island’s volcanic activity is well known among volcanologists and volcano enthusiasts who enjoy trekking across the ash plain from one crater to another. The unique vegetation of these highlands is also a draw, with orchids blooming against a backdrop of volcanic explosions offering a rare sight.

It’s best to avoid the rainy season, as the unmaintained trails become impassable at that time of year.

You can fly to Craig Cove or Ulei airports and travel to the starting points at Port Vato in the west, Ranvetlam in the north, and Endu in the southeast. For a one-day hike, you can start from the north and return via the same route, but for those wishing to spend several days at the summit to see more volcanoes, there are multi-day camping options.

It is highly recommended to hire accredited local guides. These guides are certified by the Department of Tourism, have commercial licences, have undergone intensive tourist guide training, and are certified in first aid.

Ambae

The volcano on Ambae is called Manaro. It rises nearly 1500m above sea level and is crowned by a massive crater nearly 6 km in diameter. However, like an iceberg, most of the volcano is hidden underwater, so its actual height is closer to 3900m—almost half the height of Mount Everest! This makes it the largest volcano in Vanuatu by volume.

The hike through cloud forests up the volcano’s steep slopes is an experience in itself.

Once at the top of the caldera, the view is incredible: three magnificent lakes, each a different color (Gesa – dark blue, Vui – light blue, and Goru – yellow). The landscape is a mix of black volcanic ash, carved into crevices and canyons by the rain, an active central cone between Lake Vui and Lake Goru, and yellow sulfur trails running down the slopes.

This 4-day trek, called the "Grand Manaro Trek," must be booked in advance with a local provider. It can only be done with a local guide.

Grand Manaro Trek...

Gaua

Mount Garet is an active volcano at 797m on the island of Gaua. It is classified as "restless" and in constant eruption, with its last major eruption in 2011. It is surrounded by Lake Letas to the east. Uniquely, it has six craters, including one currently active and two large ones that have recently become inactive.

The hike to the summit of the active Mount Garet volcano takes you through beautiful, wild landscapes. This hike can be done over one, two, or three days, exploring various viewpoints with your guides.

Be sure to camp at Victor's Camp for the ultimate local experience. Victor is a jovial man full of stories, and after preparing a feast, he will share ancient kastom rituals and might even sing a few songs.

It is recommended not to undertake this journey if you are not accustomed to hiking, especially in a tropical climate. Climbing Mount Garet is subject to natural conditions, and safety is always a priority. The excursion must be booked in advance with a local provider and can only be done with a local guide.

Volcano Tours

Frequently Asked Questions

Vanuatu is one of the few places where visitors can stand close to living volcanic activity with a licensed guide. Mount Yasur on Tanna is famous for sunset eruptions seen from the crater rim. Ambrym, Ambae and Gaua offer harder treks to lava lakes, coloured crater lakes and ash plains. The combination of access and raw geology is rare in the Pacific.
Mount Yasur on Tanna is the most accessible and is visited with an official guide, often at dusk. Ambrym's Benbow and Marum, Ambae's Manaro and Gaua's Mount Garet are open to guided treks of one or more days. Access depends on activity, weather and local permission. Do not treat any crater as a casual lookout.
Access is managed locally and can close when activity rises. Yasur is visited only with an official guide; other volcanoes require accredited local guides who watch weather, path conditions and current advice. Activity can change, so confirm the day before you travel and take travel insurance that covers adventure activities. Follow the guide's instructions at the rim without exception.