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Territory
Wonders of Vanuatu
  Highlights
Vanuatu is a beautiful and impressive country. The people of Vanuatu should be praised for the preservation of the natural landscape and their traditions thus showing that there is a noble alternative to Western civilization. The most amazing wonders of Vanuatu are:
- Volcanoes and associated landmarks. Vanuatu contains some of the few nearly permanent lava lakes in the world, there are active submarine volcanoes, unusual lakes in volcanic craters, and unique biotopes created by the volcanic acid rain.
- Traditional landscape with unique monuments of living culture. Many people in Vanuatu still follow the traditional way of life. There still are revered burial caves with ancient paintings, according to local beliefs spirits of the deceased still travel their mysterious ways, and giant banyan trees still serve as the centers of old villages.
Map with the described wonders
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Top 25 wonders of Vanuatu
Geological wonders
Mount Yasur
Tafea
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, erupting at least for several centuries. The volcano represents an impressive, barren cinder cone contrasting with the usual forested landscape of Vanuatu. Often several times in one hour can be observed spectacular explosions of molten lava. The volcano is 361 m high.
Benbow Crater with lava lake
Malampa
A spectacular, very deep hole with vertical walls where for the most time is observed a lava lake. Acid rain formed by the gases from craters has burned approximately 100 km² large plain in the jungle of Vanuatu. Here live specially adapted organisms – insects, and orchids.
Mbwelesu Crater (Marum Crater) with lava lake
Malampa
Up to recent times in Mbwelesu side crater of the greater Marum crater was located one of the few lava lakes. This was one of the greatest views on Earth.
Lake Letas
Torba
The largest lake of the smaller Pacific Islands. 19.7 km² large crater lake, up to 360 m deep. Near Mount Garet cone the water is warm and stained with sulfur. Lake contains many taboo sites for local people and has high cultural importance. 19 endemic species of plants, several endemic animals, and unusual biotopes. The temperature of lake water is 32° C and few aquatic animals (eels and shrimps) can live in this heat.
Lake Vui (Lake Voui)
Penama
Unusual lake in a volcanic crater. The water is blue-green, with a bitter taste, volcanic crater rises from it. Locals believe that spirits of the dead live here. Lake formed some 360 years ago.
Thermal fields of Lake Manaro Lakua
Penama
Thermal field with hot springs and fumaroles (some sources mention also geysers). Located in a pristine tropical forest with numerous endemic species including endemic orchids.
Matevulu Blue Hole
Sanma
Beautiful spring coming out from approximately 15 m deep cave that is filled with blue water. The only place in the world where lives the only freshwater hermit crab in the world – Clibanarius fonticola. Nearby other blue holes such as RiRi Blue Hole, and Jackie’s Blue Hole.
Nagpen River (Selva River)
Torba
Biologically nearly sterile river from the largest sulfur springs in Vanuatu. The water of the river over a distance of some 10 km has a very bitter taste and is very acidic. Water is dark brown, and in lower reaches, there forms a yellowish suspension.
Matenoi Gorge
Malampa
Spectacular, almost inaccessible gorge.
Siri Falls
Torba
Impressive, 120 m tall waterfall from Lake Letas crater lake, located in lush jungle.
Kuwae submarine volcano
Shefa
One of the most active volcanoes in Vanuatu. It is possible that there was a catastrophic eruption in 1452 – 1452 AD. This eruption possibly created the present-day sea between Epi and Tongoa. This was the largest eruption in the last 10,000 years and left a serious impact on climate worldwide. Submarine fumaroles from this volcano stain the seawater yellow, and there rise bubbles of hydrogen sulfide as well.
Teouma Gorge
Shefa
Spectacular, almost inaccessible gorge.
Blue Cave (Tanna)
Tafea
Beautiful seaside cave with an opening above. The sea basin inside the cave is illuminated by the Sun.
Mele Cascades
Shefa
Beautiful group of waterfalls with cascades over tufa formations and rimstone pools.
Ambrym volcano acid rain
Malampa
Acid rain formed by the gases from volcanic craters has burned approximately 100 km² large plain in the jungle of Vanuatu. Here live specially adapted organisms – insects, and orchids.
Takara Hot springs
Shefa
Seawater hot springs close to the sea. The ground temperature here reaches up to 101°C, water temperature in springs – 74°C.
Biological wonders
Happy Lands Kauri Reserve
Tafea
One of the last stands of kauri (Agathis macrophylla) – giant trees reaching up to 40 m in height and 10 m in circumference. Earlier it was considered that this is a local species Agathis obtusa, but lately it is joined with other species of kauri in the region. Area with high biological diversity.
Banyan in Lomteuheakal
Tafea
Many historical villages of Tanna island have giant banyan trees that are located in the center of local culture – a dancing place (nasara). The diameter of such trees reportedly reaches 50 m. The tree in Lomteuheakal has an approximate trunk circumference of 26 m. Banyan of Yakel village has a house built on top – this house is used for the circumcision of local boys. Kaluas is considered by locals to be the largest banyan tree in the world. The tree is huge but, unfortunately, no data about its size was found.
Archaeological wonders
Peter-ihi ceremonial dancing ground and Norohure ceremonial dancing ground
Malampa
Unique monument – megalithic ceremonial dancing ground with ancestral slit drums. Nearby – enormous banyan tree. At Norohure dancing, ground are placed large stone sculptures – faces. There are more interesting megalithic monuments in Malekula and Vao islands.
Tamate stone engravings of Ureparapara
Torba
The northern part of the island contains engravings – a store of information for the secret society of Tamate. Current inhabitants of the island still continue some of these ancient traditions.
Teouma burial site
Shefa
Approximately 3,000 years old burials of Lapita culture. In 2003 here were discovered some 60 headless skeletons placed in ornate ceramic pots, with heads on their chests. These were among the first discoveries of remnants of these early Polynesians.
Aname petroglyphs near Port Patrick
Tafea
Large group of petroglyphs on an enormous boulder in a steep slope facing the sea. These ancient drawings show fish, birds, a turtle, and different symbols. Petroglyphs adorn so-called "Sun stone" nearby stands "Moon stone" without any engravings. There are at least 8 other petrolgyph sites on the island, many include cupmarks.
Architecture wonders
Alawuro Cave of Vatthe
Sanma
A limestone cave in an impressive outcrop rising tall over the jungle of Jordan River alluvial plains. An important site of legends – local people believe that the guardian of Big Bay lives in this cave and protects the local area from construction and logging. Many stories about the magical activities of this spirit. The area has very high biological diversity, and numerous endemic species.
Yalo Cave and Apialo Cave
Malampa
Caves of the spirits of deceased people who lived in this area. Yalo Cave (120 m long) contains some 750 rock paintings and engravings and Apialo Cave (smaller) – 1500 rock paintings and engravings. Many of these paintings are hand stencils, also drawings of faces. Initially – some 3,000 years ago – caves were inhabited. Many living traditions of local people are linked to these caves. Another important monument is the stone of Navet’itiet located in another cave that also is adorned with engravings. According to the legends, this stone is used by deceased ones to file off their noses.
Wreck of “The President Coolidge”
Sanma
Extremely well-preserved wreck of a giant ship sunken in 1942. The largest accessible wreck of a ship in the world, many dives are required to learn it all. Contains numerous exciting intact details of military equipment and luxury passenger ship interiors.
Recommended books
Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu
With The Sex Lives of Cannibals, Maarten Troost established himself as one of the most engaging and original travel writers around. Getting Stoned with Savages again reveals his wry wit and infectious joy of discovery in a side-splittingly funny account of life in the farthest reaches of the world. After two grueling years on the island of Tarawa, battling feral dogs, machete-wielding neighbors, and a lack of beer on a daily basis, Maarten Troost was in no hurry to return to the South Pacific. But as time went on, he realized he felt remarkably out of place among the trappings of twenty-first-century America.
Vanuatu: Far Flung Places Travel Guide
The only current detailed guide to the islands of Vanuatu, with invaluable information, not just on the main islands, but also the more rarely visited outer islands. Including maps and detailed listings.
Learn how to travel around, find the best places to visit, stay and eat for a memorable holiday in these islands of fire and beauty.
Includes a guide for Cruise Ship passengers to make the most of their short stay.