Accommodation on Tanna

I and my girlfriend are staying on Tanna for 4 nights in August, where would you recommend staying? can you just turn up at hotels / guesthouses or is it better to book in advance? I have read about Evergreen bungalows and Sunrise bungalows and they both seem good, would 2 days at both of these places seem a good idea? or is there anywhere better?

Thanks in advance for your help

Adam

I think it's better to book in advance. Sunrise is a long drive from the airport and you need transport to your accommodation. I made arrangements for transport to make sure there would be someone to pick me up, which was not cheap (5750 vatu). Apparently most of the time there are trucks waiting to meet the plane, which could work out cheaper, but I'm not sure about that.

Sunrise is really nice and locally run by lovely people. It's situated on a cliff overlooking the black sand beach and the ocean. A beautiful sunrise in the morning on your door step. The onsite restaurant serves only meals (set menu) and is closed between meals. There are no shops or restaurants close by, so bring some snacks, fruit and especially drinking water, as you can't buy drinks there.

You can do a volcano tour with them (highly recommended), it´s about half an hour drive. You actually drive past Yasur over the ash plains on your way from the airport, a wonderful sight. Peterson was a very informative guide when I was there and he can take you for a walk to Port Resolution and a nice white sand beach.

Tanna Evergreen is not locally run, has a more upmarket feel and there´s a restaurant that´s open all day. From there I did a Magic Tour, which I can not recommend, because it seemed very staged. The visit to the cultural village Kalangai was much better IMO.

Hope this helps. Have a great time!

I've just returned from a week on Tanna and spent an awesome couple of nights at a place called Volcano Island Paradise Bungalow. The owner, Morris, has just finished building them. It is fairly basic but he is super friendly and the four of us that went certainly got a real slice of island life.

Here is a link: volcanoislandparadisebungalow.weebly.com/

I'd second this - my partner and I stayed at Volcano Island Paradise back in June this year and had the most incredible time - I'd say it was for me the highlight of my time in Vanuatu and I won't forget it in a hurry! It's certainly not for people just looking for a bed or hotel - it's a very homestay kind of affair, in Morris' village the middle of the jungle on the east of Tanna. The facilities are very basic and you get a real taste of island life - that's why I loved it!

Morris is very helpful and will organise trucks to take you to various places - and always go with you so you have a translator - as well as suggesting local things to do such as the local women's dance. One night he even got the village string band to come and play for us and we bought their CD. Morris' wife, Susie, will cook very tasty, local meals for 500vt a meal if you like (you don't really have another option!). One night Morris took my boyfriend to the nakamal and (according to tradition) I stayed home with Susie while she taught me how to make a bag out of a coconut leaf...

Oh, and did I mention that he has a very direct view of the volcano, rumbling around in the background! Unbelievable. I did nothing in the evenings but sit and watch the fireworks display from it, across the valley.

Can't recommend this place enough.