Tanna (or Hawaii)

I'm looking at a return visit to Vanuatu. One of my main motivations is a desire to see a real active volcano with red glowing lava - even just a little bit. So obviously I'm thinking of Tanna. But do you actually see lava? Can I count on it? I don't want to see a steamy smoky hole in the ground. I want to see something hot and red and either flowing or flying :-) It's the kid in me. Is Mt Yassur likely to deliver, or should I wimp out and go to Hawaii? If you have been to Tanna I would love to hear from you. And if you recommend I go, I would welcome advice about tours, flights etc to Tanna. Thanks.

I have been lucky enough to see both and they are quite different. Kilauea on the Big Island is of the lava flow type and when conditions are right is is an amazing sight. We(2003) had to hike out about 2 miles to where the latest breakout was flowing into the sea. You never knew where the lava would show up but we got to see a number of places where the red lava would come to the surface (and only 10-15 feet away)and then quickly cool into the familiar gray crust. We stayed until the light went and the display where the lava was flowing into the sea and down the mountainside was awesome. The hike back in the dark(bring flashlights/wear good footwear) was an adventure in itself as there is no formal trail, you just headed in the right direction. Unfortunately, you can visit and never see activity. This was our 3rd trip - the first 2 were uneventful. You can check on the activity at Kilauea Volcano by going to http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php -they have daily reports of activity and also have images that you can view. It looks like mid July was active but it has quieted down now.

Tanna was quite different but quite thrilling. We(2006) drove from our accommodations(an adventure in itself) about 2+hours. Mt. Yassur is a conical ash mountain and you can see the smoke and ash billowing out of the summit from quite a distance. You can drive right to the base of the summit and walk about 10 minutes to the top. You usually arrive about an hour before dusk and stay for an hour after it gets dark. When we were there only two of the three vents were erupting and it was still amazing. Every 2-3 minutes the earth would shake and there would be a loud explosion - hot rocks and ash would be thrown into the air and then fall back into the crater. In the dark this was an incredible sight. There is always the danger that one of the rocks could go astray and land outside the crater, there are regulations as to how close you can get to the edge depending how active the volcano is. As I understand it, Mt. Yassur is very reliable with its eruptions and I think you would be pretty well assured of seeing red,hot rocks flying. It was definitely the highlight of our trip and we would opt to see it again as opposed to Kilauea. The sights and sounds are incredible!

As for getting to see Mt. Yassur, we opted to have Glenda at Melanesian Tours do our arrangements for us. She booked our flights and accommodation; who did the tour for us. If you want to do your own bookings, I would suggest you make sure you book the Tanna flight early as it is a popular one and is often sold out.

Thanks newfie. That's an excellent reply - just what I was after. Tanna it is then :-)

I agree with newfie (I have also been lucky enough to visit both - being a bit of a volcano nut :). Kilauea is really wonderful but I think you will see a lot more at Tanna (and it will be more exciting). When I went to Kilauea it was not extremely active and the only way to really see the lava (without going somewhere really dangerous) is taking a helicopter flight which flies you over the active crater. It is a wonderful experience but expensive (best birthday present ever!). I haven't been out to see the lava going to the ocean (I would have if I hadn't been with my mum and dad - where I am willing to risk myself I am not so willing to risk them). If you do go out there be really careful! It is actually very dangerous since there is no trail (because they don't want the liability) and you can put your foot can go through the crust into the lava flow. Also, the whole lava flow sometimes breaks away so be super careful if you do go.

Tanna is a very different experience. It is the most exciting thing I have ever seen. If you want to see real lava and erupting volcano this is definitely the place to go. It isn't too dangerous as they won't take you up there if the volcano is erupting higher than level 2. But even at level 2 you get some really impressive eruptions with superheated rocks flung into the air and in between lava spluttering out of the vent. It is an amazing sight, not to be missed. If you are going to Tanna I would recommend staying there for more than one night (you should definitely stay at least one night since the volcano is a lot more impressive in the dark - best fireworks ever). But Tanna itself is a wonderful place with lots of other things to see (I recommend the Yakel kastom village). There is also fantastic snorkelling around the island and it is very peaceful and not as touristy as Efate seems to be. We stayed at Whitegrass ocean resort which is absolutely fantastic (though not the most budget place). The resort organises all the tours for you and there are heaps to choose from (Jon Frum village, fishing trips etc.). We stayed there for 8 days and we definitely didn't get bored. It is a lovely place. But I would stay at least a few days in case you get unlucky and it is raining. If it is raining it can be impossible to see the eruptions properly and some days the wind is blowing the wrong way and steam rising out the vent can also make it impossible to see. If you are going there specifically for the volcano I would plan some contingency days. And if the weather is good don't wait for another day - go up then!

We organised a package deal with the travel agent to get to Tanna and for the accommodation. You can probably get any travel agent to organise something for you and it will probably end up cheaper.

I hope you have a great time. Tanna was magic and the volcano was fantastic. Good luck!

the cargo boats from Port Villa take passangers for 5000 vatu,you can get a taxi from the dock to Yassur for 10000 vatu up to 10 people (back of a pickup),hostel 1500 a night.