Port Resolution offers the best all-around anchorage on Tanna with a sandy bottom, but it is open from ENE to NNE and is shallow (4m), so in winds over 15 knots, the anchorage becomes very uncomfortable. The anchorage can be rolly and a stern anchor may make life more pleasant.
The growing number of yachts visiting Tanna has caused some problems, the biggest one being yachts leaving their rubbish behind or worse, burning it on shore. What makes this hard is if you ask a person in the village if you can leave trash or burn it they will almost always say yes. That’s their culture, they do not say no and do not tell you when you do something wrong. Be sure to take your rubbish away with you.
Port Resolution has suffered from cyclones over the years including Cyclone Pam in 2015 and Cyclones Judy and Kevin in February/March 2023. See the Port Resolution Yacht Club Facebook page for the latest updates.
See these reports from cruising yachts who have visited.
Last updated: July 2025
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There is an ATM in Lenakel to get Vatu with your credit card.
Echoing an earlier report from @gemma ross don’t miss a visit to Black Beach on the opposite side of The Yacht Club. There is another village nearby and the only source of income for these families is tourism.
It’s worth asking for fruits and vegetables to buy or trade (ask what they most need at the time, children clothes and school supplies are always a good option, as are magazines).
Cooking in the 50 degrees Celsius hot spring water hole by the beach is a real treat, ask to be shown around and seek permission if you want to cook your own meal there (I am told pasta works very well!). Some money will be greatly appreciated if you don’t do the tour. You may be able to visit the village if someone is available.
The tours to the hot springs at time of writing is 1000 vatu per adult and 500 Vatu per child.
Reported July 10th, 2018 by SV Australis (visit us at svaustralis.com).
Contacted immigration ahead of time via email as per the official website. There is an additional charge to clear in at Port Resolution which must be accepted before being granted permission.
We attempted Lenakel but found it unsuitable for anything more than a brief stop (winds in the 30-35kn) and diverted to Port Resolution requesting permission to clear in at Port Resolution on the way which was granted.
Our advice is to contact and notify the authorities of your planned port and ETA by email a few days in advance.
Reported October 8th by SY Golden Glow:
IMPORTANT UPDATE.
We cleared immigration at Port Resolution in August with no problem, but customs had to be done in Port Vila when we got there some weeks later (the officials in Tanna told us not to worry about the delay and officials in Port Vila also had no problem with that).
Friends who tried to clear Vanuatu immigration into Tanna EITHER in Lenakel or Port Resolution a few weeks ago however, were told it is no longer possible. There was a sign on the door in Lenakel saying go to Port Vila.
So folks, check the currrent status before you go. Stanley in Port Resolution May have the answer +678 68791
In 2018 there was a new restaurant opened on the south-west corner of Iwea Beach (the black beach in P. Resolution Bay- opposite side to the yacht club). Most people go into the main P. Res village to dine & they don’t visit this one.
The restaurant is run by Sheila & Willy & they are a young couple trying to start up so please go & support them, they can also trade your vegetables (as in most villages) & the tours to see the hot springs & steam vents are run by them.
The restaurant is family owned, the money from the tours goes to the village. So look out for the rasta coloured canoe on the beach & the elevated palm roofed hut visible from the anchorage.
We visited the area in 2005. We were greeted by chief Ronnie and met his son Stanley. My wife, a nurse, assisted Stanley’s wife in the delivery of her first child. They named the girl Naomi Pat after my wife’s first name.
Can we get in contact with Stanley? Is chief Ronnie still alive? Can we provide assistance to the area through Stanley or his nephew? Contact us on 805 708 5388 or emails wotrubadick(at)yahoo.com or pwotruba(at)hotmail.com.
Thanks – Dick and Pat
Posted on behalf of SY Tenaya:
We spent two months, over two consecutive years, in Port Resolution on Tanna and made several friends. Stanley is the yachtie liaison, and Werry is the owner of Port Resolution Yacht Club. We have been in close contact with Werry since Cyclone Pam devastated the island. Along with two photos of his ruined bungalows, we received this message from him:
Hi, Jim Here is some information for you in regards to cyclone pam. Most houses are down in the village. The classroom was damage and yacht clubhouses were gone.
Food and tools are mostly needed for the village community. Tell other friends who are coming to talk to me, Stanley or Johnson about gifts for the villagers as people are getting help from yachties without sharing them equally to other nearby families. Looking forward to hear from you.
Before Cyclone Pam, yachts could email customs in Port Vila ahead of arrival and receive clearance to stop at Port Resolution, Tanna, before checking in at Lenakel, Tanna, or Port Vila, Efate. To check for the latest information, contact: https://customsinlandrevenue.gov.vu/index.php/en/travellers/yacht-clearance
All the gardens were wiped out so Ni-Vanuatu people will need food through to the end of the year. We urge any boats leaving New Zealand or Fiji to please take extra food to give to people on any island of Vanuatu.
Jim and Katie Thomsen, SY TENAYA