Mt Yasur volcanic ash plains drone shot

I think it’s safe to say that one of the coolest things I have done in my life is visit one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes- Mt Yasur Volcano in Vanuatu! If you are planning a visit to Vanuatu, then I would highly recommend adding a visit to Mt Yasur volcano to your itinerary.

Mt Yasur Volcano is on Tanna Island which is located 45 mins south by air from Port Vila. The volcano is known for its spectacular and persistent relatively mild eruption activity that consists of regular small to violent explosions from one or several vents. It’s been continuously active since Captain Cook observed ash eruptions in 1774 (and possibly for centuries before).

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Compensation for delayed or canceled flights: Since 2013, AirHelp has helped more than 10 million passengers understand their rights and receive up to €600 in compensation for delayed or canceled flights.

Book the cheapest Hotels: Hotellook — a service that helps you find and compare prices on hotels around the world, provided by a leading reservation system. Today, Hotellook.com offered to put together information on more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries, working with data from more than 10 online booking systems, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and others.

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Is it Safe to visit Mt Yasur Volcano in Vanuatu?

Just like the title indicates- I visited Mt Yasur Volcano and survived! Despite the volcano being one of the main tourist attractions in Vanuatu, the summit has been kept untouched with minimal fencing and signs. This somewhat adds a thrill to the experience whilst also providing an obstruction-clear view. Standing at the edge of an active volcano does however have its hazards. As with anything risky, following the instructions of your guide and using common sense is key. I believe the main threat comes from the projectiles. When an explosion happens, don’t panic (or scream loudly like I did lol).

Visit Mt Yasur Volcano Tour Options

The crater of Mt Yasur Volcano

What to expect on your visit to Mt Yasur Volcano

I have to say that I absolutely loved my experience visiting Mt Yasur Volcano! We had a really friendly and fun local driver who took us to the far side of Tanna through the mountain region known as ‘Middle Bush’. We passed many remote villages and even saw some wildlife before we crossed over Mt Loanialu. At 522m high, we stopped on the side of the road to take photos of the volcano in the distance where we saw glimpses of Tanna’s East coast.


Not sure what to pack? See my Packing List for more tips!



After making our way back down the mountain we made another stop at the Mars-like landscape of the volcanic ash plains. Once we reached the base of Mt Yasur, we were greeted with a safety briefing and Custom dancing to keep us safe on our journey to the top.

Mt Yasur volcanic ash plains
Vanuatu Custom dancing

Standing near the crater and watching the lava exploding from deep within the volcano is one of the most incredible things you could ever experience in your life!

Explosion inside Mt Yasur Volcano

Pro Tip: Pack a light jumper or jacket. Even on the most hottest day, it can get quite cool at the top and it is extremely windy!

Important Note: If you want to fly a drone, do so from the ash fields. When we checked in for our tour at the base of the volcano we were told we had to pay a 10,000 Vt fee!

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There’s honestly nothing quite like what you’re about to see. And the magnificence of the volcano gets even better as the sun starts to set and you can see the glow of the lava from deep within the vents below.

We paid 15,750 Vt pp through Whitegrass Ocean Resort & Spa

Mt Yasur Volcano
Crater of Mt Yasur volcano

Other things to do on Tanna island in Vanuatu

Visit the Blue Cave

If you’re staying on the island and have the time, I would highly recommend a visit to the stunning Blue Cave. You will travel by a boat to the small cave opening which is accessed by swimming under half a meter of water. The gorgeous grotto is lit from above by a shaft of light filtering down through a hole in the cave’s roof. The effect is absolutely magical!


Blue Cave, Tanna Island, Vanuatu
Entrance to Blue Cave



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