Extreme Vanuatu: volcano, shipwreck and virgin jungle
Eight days of extreme adventure in Vanuatu — night ascent of the Yasur volcano, deep diving on the SS President Coolidge, rafting on volcanic rivers and cave exploration on Espiritu Santo — in the South Pacific's wildest country.
Description
This extreme itinerary runs Vanuatu in eight days of pure adrenaline. Mount Yasur — the world's most accessible volcano — is visited at night with helmet and headlamp while it erupts every 5 minutes throwing volcanic bombs 200 meters. Diving on the SS President Coolidge — the world's largest diveable wreck at 70 meters — includes penetration of the cargo hold with its jeeps and the famous The Lady. On Espiritu Santo, the Vatthe Conservation Area holds Vanuatu's densest rainforest with survival hikes, and the Sarakata river offers kayaking past captive saltwater crocodiles. Champagne Beach and the Blue Pools serve as recovery between extreme activities. The Millennium Cave on Tanna is Vanuatu's most intense underground adventure: a 50-meter abseil, swimming subterranean rapids and walking limestone canyons with waist-deep water.
Health & safety
- Vanuatu has endemic malaria on the northern islands — doxycycline or Malarone prophylaxis is mandatory
- Yasur's volcanic gases contain sulphur; people with asthma should carry an inhaler
- Deep diving the Coolidge carries decompression sickness risk — dive with operators who have a hyperbaric chamber
- Coral cuts infect fast in tropical water — rinse with vinegar and apply topical antibiotic
- Healthcare is limited outside Port Vila; medical evacuation can take hours
Day-by-day itinerary
Port Vila and preparation
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Port Vila and preparation
Dive briefing and a kava nakamal.
Dive briefing on the Coolidge with Aquamarine
Sports2hKava nakamal in Port Vila
Culture1.5hFlight to Tanna and the night volcano
Tanna, Vanuatu
Flight to Tanna and the night volcano
Night ascent to the rim of Yasur's crater.
Flight to Tanna and 4x4 to the volcano
Sports2hYasur by night: eruptions under the stars
Sports3hMillennium Cave: abseil and rapids
Tanna, Vanuatu
Millennium Cave: abseil and rapids
Underground adventure with a 50-meter abseil.
50-meter abseil into Millennium Cave
Sports2hSwimming and walking the subterranean cave
Sports3hFlight to Espiritu Santo
Rest2hSS President Coolidge: deep diving
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
SS President Coolidge: deep diving
Penetration dive on the world's largest accessible wreck.
Deep dive on the Coolidge (40-70 m)
Sports4hSecond dive on the Million Dollar Point reef
Sports2hCoolidge diving and the dive reef
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Coolidge diving and the dive reef
Second day of diving on the wreck.
Diving the Coolidge's first-class section
Sports3hNight dive on the coral reef
Sports2hKayaking the Sarakata river and jungle
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Kayaking the Sarakata river and jungle
Kayak through mangroves and a survival hike.
Kayaking the Sarakata river among the mangroves
Sports3hSurvival hike in Vatthe
Sports4hChampagne Beach and Blue Hole
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Champagne Beach and Blue Hole
Beaches and pools for recovery.
Champagne Beach: extreme snorkelling on the reef
Nature3hBlue Hole: rope swing and jump-offs
Sports2hFarewell on Espiritu Santo
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
Farewell on Espiritu Santo
Last dive and the flight home.
Morning dive on the coral garden
Sports2hFlight back to Port Vila
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