Mount Yasur (Active Volcano) — Attraction in Tanna

Visiting Mt Yasur was one of the highlights of our trip to Tanna. The vistas on the approach, and from the crater rim, are impressive.

As of July 2024, there are two routes to the volcano. The most popular is over the mountains on a sealed road (reaching around 500m elevation), then along a very bumpy 4WD track. The other option heads south along the edge of the island on the new highway (to be completed sometime late 2024). Both routes take about 1.5hrs and have magnificent scenery but the best view of Yasur and the Ash Plains is from the north.

At the rim, small eruptions are regular. The volcano spews 1000-degree lava bombs (and sulphurous gas clouds) hundreds of metres into the air. To stay safe you'll need to look towards the direction of the explosions every time you hear an eruption. You will hear and feel these as pressure on your body and ears.

A note of caution - stay well away from the crater’s edge. The side of the mountain is unstable and occasionally collapses. Safety railings are often non-existent or in a bad state of repair and tourists who have not respected the instructions of their Guides (and the lethal power of the mountain) have been killed. This may mean you don't get to see into the volcano and the lava at it's base, but it will keep you safe.

There is a basic toilet at the car park. This was installed for Will Smith when he came to shoot a doco series for National Geographic in 2019. Bring food and water. There are no facilities or shops near the volcano.

Be sure to take some warm clothes. The combination of elevation and wind can make for a cold visit, especially if you stay after dark for...

I normally don’t leave reviews but I think this looks like a very expensive tourist trap.

We sailed to Port Resolution to see Mount Yasur but the excitement didn’t last long. The see the volcano so close is fantastic, but the price is just RIDICULOUS. You will find two options ice you get here. One is a guy called Stanley, everyone knows him and you will see him around the yacht club where you do immigration and customs. He charges almost $5000 Vatu (u$d 41) for transportation (20 min drive) and $9700 Vatu (u$d 81) fee entrance. Total u$d 122 per person!

And there’s another guy called Donovan. He charges $5000 Vatu(u$d 41) per person for an almost 3 hours walk. We chose this option but we regretted. Price was not cheap but the hike to the bottom of the volcano was great through the jungle. We were told we would reach the top of the Mount during the daylight to see the sunset. Well, we were kept behind the bushes like hiding from the people like Stanley and or the volcano entrance keeper (who knows). It got dark after waiting for like an hour which means we missed the natural light to see the crater and then we climbed through not the nicest terrain (it was our guide’s first day on this, which is understandable I guess) Donovan was in charge of the whole thing but he focused on a large group of tourists who were camping (who knows how much that would be, I don’t want to imagine), instead of us, even after promising he was going to lead us, take us up there during the day, sunset and hiking back to the bay.

The volcano was great, but you will see a part of it. The fees are just too much for what it is.

I...

Amazing volcano -- but prepare to get robbed! We visited in 2016 and the 1st visit was 7500 VUV, the 2nd 5250 VUV and the third free. At the time we thought this was outrageous. We live in NZ and things are expensive here but jeepers, this took the cake! Well, we went back for Easter 2018 and the prices have gone up: 9750 1st visit, 6500 2nd visit and free the third visit -- PLUS in 2016 we hiked up in the afternoon and spent as long as we wanted, whereas now tours are strictly limited to 2hrs, and they charge you a mandatory 2000 VUV for a guide, and 1500 VUV PER PERSON PER ADDITIONAL HOUR that you want to spend up there outside of a tour. When you've already paid such high fees this just comes across as rubbing salt in wounds. Oh and get ready for it, new rates will be in effect from 1 May 2018 -- and I don't imagine it will be cheaper!

Don't blame the locals -- they don't agree with these extortionist ways. It's run by a company based out of Pt Vila.

That being said, the volcano is absolutely majestic and an unbelievable experience. You literally stand on the rim and feel the power of the earth shuddering, and see the actual shockwaves as the fury of the planet plays out in front of you, closer than you can imagine.

It SHOULDN'T cost as much as it does, but sadly if it's the only way to see it you have to pay it. If only we could sacrifice the...