Lake Manaro

The summit caldera of Ambae holds three lakes, Voui, Manaro Lakua and Manaro Ngoru, sitting at around fourteen hundred metres with a vent inside Lake Voui that has erupted repeatedly, in 2005, 2017 and 2018, the last of which forced the evacuation of the whole island. Voui has changed colour from blue to red and back with activity. The climb takes most of a day through forest and grassland.

What you'll find

• The three lakes - Voui, Manaro Lakua and Manaro Ngoru in the summit caldera.
• The vent in Voui - the active cone inside the largest of the lakes.
• The colour changes - Voui shifting between blue and red with activity.
• The high grassland - the open ground above the forest near the summit.

When to go

May to October is the dry season and the practical window. Cloud covers the summit most days year round. Access depends entirely on the volcanic alert level.

Things to know

Access is governed by the geohazards alert level and is closed outright at times. The climb takes most of a day and cloud usually hides the lakes. Guides are mandatory and accommodation on Ambae is very basic.

Nearby

Saratamata is on the coast, and Pentecost is east.