Tanna
Mount Yasur
Mount Yasur on Tanna Island is the world's most accessible active volcano, erupting several times an hour with...
Tafea Province
Tafea is the deep south of Vanuatu, a loose chain of five islands scattered across the southern Pacific well below the rest of the archipelago. The name is an acronym, one letter for each island: Tanna, Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango, and Aniwa. Between them, they cover volcanic peaks, coral atolls, ancient jungle, and coastline that most travelers to the Pacific will never see.
Most people come to Mount Yasur. The active volcano on Tanna is one of the most accessible on earth, and standing at its rim at night, watching lava light up the sky, is the kind of experience that stays with you.
But Tafea is more than one volcano. It is wild horses running along black sand beaches, kastom villages where traditional Melanesian life continues largely on its own terms, waterfalls hidden in the interior, and the near-pristine reefs around Aneityum at the southernmost tip of the country.
Essential Travel Information: Tafea Province
What makes Tafea Province worth the journey? It is the combination of raw natural spectacle and living culture. An active volcano you can walk to the rim of, islands where traditional life continues largely unchanged, and some of the most unspoiled reefs in Vanuatu. These essentials cover what you need to know before you visit.
Where is Tafea Province?
Tafea is the southernmost province of Vanuatu, made up of five islands, Tanna, Aneityum, Futuna, Erromango, and Aniwa, spread across the southern end of the archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. The provincial capital is Isangel on Tanna.
Best Time to Visit
May to October is the dry season, with lower humidity, clearer skies, and better road conditions for reaching Mount Yasur and exploring the island interior. November to April is warmer and wetter, with lush vegetation and fewer visitors, though cyclone risk applies December to March.
Climate
Tafea has a tropical climate year-round, warm and humid with temperatures between 20 and 30°C. The dry season brings reliable sunshine and trade winds. The wet season brings heavier rainfall, particularly on the volcanic islands, and occasional tropical storms.
How to Get There
Tanna is served by Whitegrass Airport (TAH) with regular flights from Port Vila on Efate, taking around 40 minutes. Aneityum has a small airstrip and also receives cruise ships at Mystery Island. Erromango, Futuna, and Aniwa are reached by small aircraft or inter-island boat.
Top Attractions in Tafea Province
Looking for Accommodation in Tafea Province?
Use our interactive map to explore resorts, hotels, and guesthouses across Tafea Province.
Explore More in Tafea Province
Our full collection of guides, tours, accommodation, restaurants, and things to do.