Tanna
Tanna suits travelers who want to watch an active volcano up close and spend time in traditional villages.
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Tanna is an island in southern Vanuatu, a nation of about 80 islands in the South Pacific. Most travelers come for Mount Yasur, an active volcano on the island's southeast side. Local guides lead visitors to the crater rim, where you can watch eruptions up close. Many people choose the evening visit, when the glow from the crater shows best.
Beyond the volcano, Tanna has kastom villages, where many communities keep traditional customs and visitors can learn how village life works. The island also has rainforest, coastline and rough interior roads, which suits people who want time outdoors and a slower pace. Lenakel is the main town for shops and food, so stock up there before heading out. The drier months, roughly May to October, are the usual choice for a visit. Plan at least two or three nights to cover the volcano and a village visit.
Tanna in five
- Carry vatu cash from Port VilaCard payments are rare on Tanna, so bring enough vatu for beds, meals and guides. Withdraw before you fly, since you cannot count on paying by card once you land.Money and costs
- Book the flight from Port Vila earlyMost visitors reach Tanna by domestic flight from Port Vila, and seats on small planes are limited. Morning flights leave more room to recover if a delay cuts into your day.Getting around
- Set up offline maps before you flyMobile signal is patchy outside the main town. Download maps and your booking details while you still have a connection in Port Vila.Phones and eSIM
- Hire a local guide for Mount YasurCrater rim visits are arranged through local guides, so go with one rather than alone. Ask them about wind and volcanic gas before you walk to the rim.
- Check that your policy covers volcano visitsStandard cover can exclude adventure activities, and some policies also exclude remote domestic flights. Read the wording for both before you pay.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Vatu (VUV)
- Entry
- Visa-free entry for many passports; check the official Vanuatu immigration page
- Emergency
- Ask your lodging for police and ambulance numbers before you travel
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+11, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCyclone season
- FebruaryWet, humid
- MarchWet, humid
- AprilRains easing
- MayDrier, cooler
- JuneDry, cool
- JulyDry, cool
- AugustDry, windy
- SeptemberDry, warm
- OctoberWarming, wet
- NovemberRain returns
- DecemberWet, humid
Right now in Tanna
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 81%
Tanna
09:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°19°81%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Wed29°20°60%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Thu29°21°69%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Fri29°20°63%Friday: Fog. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sat28°20°80%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sun28°20°39%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 39%.
Updated 07:37 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 119.2 VUV
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mount YasurBy road; ask your lodging for drive timeAn active volcano, with crater rim visits led by local guides.Read the guide
- Port ResolutionBy road; ask your lodging for drive timeA quiet east-coast bay for a slow day by the water.Read the guide
- LenakelBy road; ask your lodging for drive timeThe main town, with shops, food and onward transport.Read the guide
Before you go to Tanna
Rules for Tanna, checked
- Many passports enter Vanuatu visa-free, but check the entry requirements for your nationality before you book.
- Ask permission before you photograph people or enter a village, and dress modestly when visiting communities.
- Follow your guide's instructions at Mount Yasur, since rim access and safety rules are set locally.
- Declare food, plants and animal products on your arrival card, as quarantine checks apply.
Plan around Tanna
Regions, entry, transport and money for a Vanuatu trip
Read the guideGetting around VanuatuFlights, boats and local transport between the islands
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a trip to Tanna
Read the guideWhere to stayPlaces to sleep, by area and by budget
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and what to check before you book
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal, offline maps and data options for Tanna
Read the guideTanna FAQ
How do you get to Tanna?
Most visitors fly from Port Vila. Boat trips are slower and depend on the weather, so plan a spare day either way.
Can you visit Mount Yasur?
Yes. It is an active volcano, and visitors can go to the crater rim with a local guide. Ask your guide about wind and gas, and follow their instructions on the rim.
Is Tanna worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a volcano and village life more than resorts and nightlife. Port Vila suits shorter stays with more services, so compare the two before you choose.
How many days do you need on Tanna?
Two nights covers Mount Yasur and a village visit. Add a spare day, because flights and boats can be delayed by weather.
Do you need cash on Tanna?
Yes. Bring vatu from Port Vila, since card payments are rare on the island. Carry small notes for guides, lodging and food.
Is there mobile signal on Tanna?
It is patchy outside the main town. Download offline maps and booking details before you leave Port Vila.
When is the best time to visit Tanna?
May to September, when the weather is drier and cooler. November to April is the wet season with cyclone risk, so check forecasts before you travel.