Tanna: Blue Cave & Mt Yasur Volcano Tour with Lunch

Summary

Swimming in the blue cave then feeling mt yasur rumble underfoot

You’ll swim through glowing blue water inside Tanna’s Blue Cave, share a local lunch with your guide, and stand on the edge of Mt Yasur as it erupts beneath your feet. With pickup included and time to meet locals along the way, this day trip is packed with moments you’ll remember long after you leave Vanuatu.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t drop your torch!” That’s what our guide Samuel grinned as we ducked into the Blue Cave on Tanna. The boat ride over was choppy — salt spray everywhere, my hair still feels crunchy — but the water inside the cave was this wild, glassy blue I’ve never seen before. We floated for a while, just listening to our own splashing echo off the rock. It smelled faintly of limestone and something sweet, maybe seaweed? I tried to say “thank you” in Bislama and got a laugh from Samuel. He said most people forget how cold it is when they first jump in. He was right.

Lunch was simple but good — grilled fish, some root veggies I couldn’t name (Samuel called one “lap lap,” which I probably misheard), and fresh pineapple that tasted like sunshine. After that we drove out toward Mt Yasur volcano. The road was rough in places, windows down, dust everywhere. Kids waved as we passed their villages; one little girl ran alongside us for a bit, just giggling at nothing. Around 2pm we started the climb up to the volcano rim. You could smell sulfur before you saw anything — like burnt matches mixed with wet earth.

I didn’t expect how loud Mt Yasur would be. Every so often it would rumble and spit sparks into the sky, like it was clearing its throat. Our group went quiet for a minute, just watching red lava flicker in the dusk. There’s this weird mix of fear and awe standing that close to something so alive — I kept thinking about how old it must be, how many people have stood here before me. We left around 8pm but honestly, my shoes are still dusty and my head’s still kind of there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Blue Cave and Mt. Yasur Volcano

• Visit and swim at Blue Cave
• Lunch and visit Mt. Yasur Volcano

Top questions

How do you get to Tanna's Blue Cave?

You travel by boat for about 30 minutes to reach the Blue Cave from Tanna island.

Is swimming allowed in the Blue Cave?

Yes, swimming is allowed and encouraged during your visit to the Blue Cave.

What time do you visit Mt Yasur volcano?

The tour heads to Mt Yasur volcano around 2:00 pm after lunch.

How long does the full day tour last?

The tour typically ends with drop-off at 8:00 pm after visiting both attractions.

Is lunch included in this day trip?

Yes, lunch is included as part of your tour experience.

Are transfers or pickup provided?

The tour includes air-conditioned vehicle transfers; pickup is included.

Is this tour suitable for young children or infants?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues; moderate fitness is required.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned vehicle transfers with pickup nearby, a guided swim in Tanna’s Blue Cave, a local lunch after your cave visit, and an afternoon excursion up to Mt Yasur volcano before returning around 8pm.