Attractions on Tanna
- Mount Yasur
The best time to see Yasur is at night, when the fiery display of erupting lava is at its most spectacular. Depending on the level of activity, visitors can walk right to the crater rim.
- The Nekowiar Ceremony
The largest and most spectacular of Tanna’s festivals takes place every three or four years, bringing together villagers for three days of gift-giving, kastom dances and feasting. The men’s Toka dance is said to be the most impressive.
- Kastom villages
Many villagers have rejected development, including education, and still live much as their ancestors did, the men wearing nambas (penis coverings) and the women, grass skirts. You can observe traditional village activities, watch a kastom dance and buy locally made handcrafts and carvings.
- Port Resolution
Tanna’s scenic deepwater harbour was named in 1774 by Captain James Cook after his ship, the HMS Resolution.
- Jon Frum Cargo Cult
Based at Sulphur Bay, this cult developed around the time of the Second World War. Followers worship a cult figure who is claimed to be returning from the US to give Tannese their rightful wealth and status.
- Tanna coffee
The island’s coffee plantation produces one of Vanuatu’s best known products, Tanna coffee.
- Yakel & Ipai Villages
A guided tour of these strict kastom villages in the south-west offer a fascinating insight for visitors. There is a chance to purchase crafts and carvings made by the villagers, and to see a kastom dance at the open-air nakamal. Villagers still wear traditional dress – a grass skirt for women and a nambas (penis covering) for men. Village buildings are made in the traditional style, with woven pandanus walls and a coconut thatch roof.
- Loanialu Lookout
This lookout point on the road from Lenakel to Port Resolution has excellent views of Mount Yasur volcano, and out to the Aniwa and Futuna islands on a clear day.
- Sulphur Bay (Ipeukel)
In eastern Tanna, this village is the centre of the Jon Frum cult, which worships a cult figure claimed to be returning from the US. Friday is the best night to visit, when cult members come from nearby villages to dance.
- The Blue Hole
A large blue hole in the coral reef near White Grass Ocean Resort provides a good swimming and snorkelling spot. There is also good reefwalking along the north-west coast here.
- White Grass Plains
These grass-covered plains in the north-west are home to Tanna’s famous wild horses, although many have now been captured and tamed.
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