Ambrym is an island of the archipelagic nation of Vanuatu in South Pacific Ocean. Ambrym, which is known for highly active volcanic activity, is spread over an area of 678 square kilometres. Ambrym, in fact, is the fifth largest island of Vanuatu (the largest being Espiritu Santo). The volcano summit has a desert-like caldera covering an area of 100 square kilometres. Ambrym, coupled with the neighbouring Malakula and a few other smaller islands, forms the Malampa Province. Eas village is the largest settlement in Ambrym. The Ambrym island is home to about 10,000 people who mainly live off coconut plantations. Most of Ambrym’s population lives along southwest and northern coastlines of the island. The villagers earn livelihood from copra (dried coconut flesh), fishing and wood carvings.

About Vanuatu:

Republic of Vanuatu has an area of 1,750 kilometres and is located east of Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of New Guinea. Earlier, Vanuatu was under the British-French rule and was known by the name of New Hebrides and had gained independence in 1980.

Geographically, Vanuatu is an archipelago comprising near about 82 relatively small, geologically newer islands of volcanic origin. Some of bigger islands include:  Espiritu Santo, Malakula, Efate, Erromango, Ambrym, Tanna, Pentecost, Epi, Ambae or Aoba, Vanua Lava, Gaua, Maewo, Malo, and Anatom. Port Vila, the national capital, situated on Efate is the largest town., followed by Luganville on Espiritu Santo. National currency is Vanuatu Vatu.

Volcanoes of Ambrym:

Ambrym has two active volcanic cones, namely, Benbow and Marum. The island centre has a huge caldera featuring multiple craters. Mt Benbow had last erupted in 1913, causing the evacuation of the population to Mele near Port Vila. It is likely to erupt again in near future, which would lead to a complete wipe out of the entire population.

Geography:

West Ambrym is dry for its is located in the rain shadow area and receives acid rain from the volcanos.

Towns and cities:

Fali, Craig Cove, Linboul, Liro, Loulep, Ranon are some of the urban settlements on this island.

Languages:

The people of Ambrym speak a number of Austronesian languages. North Ambrym, Southeast Ambrym, Dakaka, Lonwolwol and Port-Vato are some of the languages spoken in Ambrym.

Activities:

Ambrym, also called ‘Black Island’ after the expansive ash plain covering the interior, is a great destination for the adventure travelers in South Pacific.

• Trekking to Mt Benbow and Mt Marum
• Walking around the island
• Witness cultural traits of the Ambrym inhabitants like carvings, sand drawing, sorcery, grade-taking and Rom dancing. North Ambrym holds an annual cultural festival around mid-July every year. Villages of West Ambrym welcome tourists to see annual Rom dances.

Best time to visit:

Cooler months from April to September are the best time to visit Ambrym. We feature the following places to visit:

Reaching Ambrym:

By air:
Ambrym has two airfields, one at Craig Cove in the west and the other at Ulei in the east. Air Vanuatu flights are available. North Ambrym, however, has no airport. Speedboats run down to Craig Cove to connect Air Vanuatu flights.

By water:
Ships operate between Efate and Espiritu Santo via Ambrym. L/Cs Brisk, Tina-1, Sarafenua and M/Vs Halice-1 and Saratoka are some of the vessels.

Besides, Saratoka is a small timber boat with regular services from Port Vila to Epi, Paama and southeast Ambrym (Taveak).

Internal Transport:
West and Southeast Ambrym have public transport trucks at Meltungon, Baiap, Port Vato and Lalinda. Services are irregular though.

Accommodation:

• Wakon Sunset Bungalow and Lake Fanteng Conservation Area, Dip Point
• Craig Cove Commercial Guesthouse
• Sam’s Guesthouse, Craig Cove
• Bulevak Guesthouse, Baiap
• Polibetakevar Guesthouse
• Bae Luk Guesthouse, Meltungon
• Black Beach Bungalows, Lonmei
• Island Experience, Port Vato
• Guesthouses at Sesivi, Sanesup, Etas, Fenafo, Toak, Ulei and other places.