Ambrym Island

For the adventurous traveller seeking a real island experience, Ambrym is the island for you. It is a place of culture, spirituality and adventure and the people are warm, friendly and welcoming.

Ambrym is considered Vanuatu’s sorcery center, famous for its black magic. The north of Ambrym is famous for some of the best wood carvings in the Pacific, for its access to Mt. Marum and Mt. Benbow volcanoes and the mysterious Rom dance. The dance is a fascinating display dancers wearing an extravagant costume featuring a tall, cone shaped brightly colored mask made from banana fiber along with a thick cloak of banana leaves.

Culture is strong with its’ many spiritual beliefs like in the north, there is no fishing, hunting or other activities from 1 September – 31 December during the Yam planting season. And volcano trips can only be accessed from the south during these months.

Tourists are able to visit villages that feature tragic but that magic is not considered black by the ni-Van (local population). There are three major festivals that visitors can attend: The Fanla Art Festival (July); North Ambryn Magic Festival (July) and the Back to My Roots Festival (Aug).

Ambrym remains volcanically active. In fact the island is often referred to as “Black Island” because of its dark, volcanic soil. Benbow and Marum volcanoes still rumble away and smaller vents and fractures ooze steam and lava.

Wildlife Ambrym is home to some fascinating wildlife including the endemic Vanuatu Megapode (Namalao), dugongs and turtles. The Vanuatu megapode, Megapodius Layardi, is considered as vulnerable, according to the IUCN red list category, because it is thought to have a small population that is likely to decline.

The north coast of Ambrym also offers good snorkeling opportunities to view dugongs, large sea turtles and a myriad numbers of brilliant colored fish. Dugongs inhabit the warm tropical waters and are considered vulnerable to extinction. They feed almost exclusively on sea grass. North Ambrym has a beautiful natural spring where turtles and dugongs often frequent.

Craig Cove is Ambrym’s commercial center with shops, tour bases and simple accommodations.